Skip to Content

Complete Russian Tortoise Care Guide

Russian tortoises also known as Hosfiel’d tortoises are a very popular pet tortoise species. These small, active, and calm tortoises are good for beginners and experienced keepers alike. They remain at a manageable size for their whole lives and have a beautiful shell design.

But even though they are suitable for beginners, there are still some important things to know when keeping Russian tortoises as pets. To help you out, we’ve put together this complete guide to Russian tortoise care.

When creating the setup for your Russian tortoise, you’ll need a few essential items to meet their care requirements. The items on this list mainly apply if you’re keeping your tortoise indoors:

Russian tortoise in grass in outdoor enclosure
Russian tortoise in the grass in an outdoor enclosure
  • Experience level: Beginner to Intermediate
  • Family: Testudinidae
  • Scientific name: Agrionemys horsfieldii
  • Other names: Afghan tortoise, Central Asian tortoise, Four-clawed tortoise, Horsfield’s tortoise, Steppe tortoise
  • Adult Male Size: 5 to 8 inches
  • Adult Female Size: 6 to 10 inches
  • Average Lifespan: 40 to 50 years
  • Average Price Range: $215 to $400
  • Where to buy?: XYZreptiles.com
  • Books: Russian Tortoises – Complete Herp Care (E.J. Pirog)

Russian tortoise facts

Russian tortoises have been to space! As part of a Russian space mission in 1968, two specimens were flown around the Moon and back to Earth, becoming the first animals to fly around the moon!

Russian tortoises are sadly classed as Vulnerable due to human activity impacting their native population. A lot of Russian tortoises in the pet trade are wild-caught, so try and get a captive-bred tortoise from a breeder wherever possible.

These active tortoises love to burrow, mainly due to the dry climate of their native habitats in Central Asia.

What does a Russian tortoise look like?

Russian tortoise and hermanns tortoise
Russian tortoise (left) and Hermanns tortoise

Russian tortoises have tan or ruddy coloring to their shells. Their scutes have black patches in the middle. Their skin is usually a yellowish or light brown color.

Male and female Russian tortoises look slightly different as this is a sexually dimorphic species. Males will have longer tails and claws, and their tails are usually moved to one side. Both genders have four toes.

How big do Russian tortoises get?

Russian tortoises are one of the smaller tortoise species known, with the largest specimens rarely exceeding 10 inches. Females are generally slightly bigger than males.

The average adult male will measure between 5 and 8 inches, while females will range from 6 to 10 inches.

Where do Russian tortoises live?

Three russian tortoises in outdoor enclosure
Three Russian tortoises in an outdoor enclosure

Russian tortoises are endemic to regions of Central Asia, ranging from Russia and surrounding countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. They can also be found in parts of China and Iran.

What kind of habitat do Russian tortoises need?

Russian tortoises inhabit the dry steppes and deserts of Central Asia. They favor high-elevation regions mainly consisting of rocky ground. To escape the heat during the day and summer months, these tortoises will burrow into the cooler ground.

How long do Russian tortoises live in captivity?

In captivity, you can expect a Russian tortoise to live close to 50 years when provided with the proper living conditions and care. This makes them a less intimidating commitment than other tortoise species.

What do Russian tortoises eat?

Two russian tortoises eating
Two Russian tortoises eating

Russian tortoises are voracious herbivores and will graze frequently on grasses and weeds if kept outside. A Russian tortoise diet should consist of these grasses as well as leafy green vegetation.

How do Russian tortoises breed?

Russian tortoises can start mating at any size or age, while females will start to lay eggs once they exceed 4 inches long.

The summer is usually the breeding season for Russian tortoises in the wild, as they are out of hibernation. Males will bob their heads and circle a female, even biting her to make her submit.

When she does, the male will mount her and copulation will begin. During copulation, the male will utter a series of progressively louder squeaks.

The female will then lay her eggs in a nesting burrow. The eggs should hatch within eight to twelve weeks.

What predators do Russian tortoises face?

In their native habitats, Russian tortoises can be vulnerable to other reptiles such as lizards and snakes as well as birds.

In captivity when kept outside, animals such as dogs, possums, or raccoons can go after unprotected tortoises.

Russian tortoise care sheet

Habitat

Russian tortoise outdoors in enclosure
Russian tortoises outdoors in enclosure

Enclosure

Even though they are smaller than most other tortoises species, it’s still recommended to house your Russian tortoise outside if you can. This will give them plenty of room to roam around as they are a very active species. They will also get natural sunlight.

An outdoor enclosure should be about 4 feet by 2 feet minimum to give your tortoise room to explore. About half of the enclosure should be shaded from the sun, while the other half should receive direct sunlight.

Russian tortoises are natural diggers and will burrow a lot. To prevent the enclosure from being uprooted or escaped, extend the supports for the walls about 12 inches down into the ground.

The walls should be another 12 inches high above the ground to corral and protect your tortoise. If you don’t want your garden to be destroyed, consider either burying large rocks around the supports or providing a slightly underground hiding box for your tortoise.

If you do have to house your Russian tortoise indoors, then their enclosure should be something like a tortoise table or tortoise house. The Zoo Med Tortoise House is a good pick.

Large plastic boxes can also be a good choice, especially if you can fill them with substrate and provide the correct lighting.

Cleaning

Russian tortoise outdoors
Russian tortoise outdoors

The most important cleaning task when keeping a Russian tortoise is to thoroughly disinfect the water bowl daily. Tortoises will urinate when they reach a source of drinking water, so keeping the water clean is essential.

You should also spot-clean the enclosure whenever you see waste, and the substrate should be changed once every two weeks or so.

Substrate

Because they like to burrow a lot, you need to choose a suitable substrate for your Russian tortoise. Very fine loose substrates like sand can be problematic for these reptiles.

Sand can cause blockages in the tortoise’s intestines if accidentally ingested while feeding. Sand is also not as stable as other substrates when these tortoises hurry around their enclosure. It’s also much harder to clean and change.

What is the best substrate for a Russian tortoise?
Russian tortoise exploring outdoor enclosure
Russian tortoise exploring outdoor enclosure

The best substrates for Russian tortoises are ones that allow them to dig easily. Mixing some sand with another substrate such as soil or peat moss is a good choice, as the disadvantages of sand are counteracted by another substrate.

Coconut coir/fiber and cypress mulch are also good substrates to use. They are easy to burrow into and are pretty absorbent. They will also retain humidity.

Temperature

Russian tortoises are a relatively temperature-tolerant species, but if it gets too hot for them they will need to burrow underground or reach a shady spot. 100 degrees Fahrenheit is the maximum temperature that they are comfortable at.

If housing your tortoise outside, they should be able to handle most conditions unless it’s extremely cold or extremely hot. However, their preferred ambient temperature range is between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you are keeping your Russian tortoise inside, a normal room temperature of about 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit should be more than enough for them. They will need a temperature gradient in their enclosures to help them regulate their body temperatures.

Indoor tortoises will also need a basking spot maintained at about 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit to help them warm up.

How cold is too cold for a Russian tortoise?

Anything below 45 degrees Fahrenheit is going to be too cold for a Russian tortoise, especially if kept outside. If your temperatures regularly drop this low, you’ll need to either heat your tortoise’s outdoor enclosure or move them inside.

Hibernation is commonplace for wild Russian tortoises, but this should be a rare occurrence in captivity and shouldn’t run for more than 8 weeks. If they do hibernate, the temperature should be kept between 40 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do Russian tortoises need a heat lamp at night?

Unless your outdoor temperatures regularly reach below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, you shouldn’t need a heat lamp for your Russian tortoise at night.

While providing one for an indoor enclosure is necessary, this should be kept on a 12 to 14-hour day/night cycle to simulate a natural day.

Humidity

Russian tortoise (horsfields tortoise or central asian tortoise)
Russian tortoise (Horsefield tortoise or Central Asian tortoise)

For Russian tortoises, humidity levels should be maintained between 50% and 70%. Providing them with a humid hide underground will help outdoor tortoises escape any conditions that might be too hot for them.

To maintain humidity in an enclosure, mist it if necessary and use a humidity-retaining substrate like peat moss or coconut coir.

How often should you soak your Russian tortoise?

To help keep them sufficiently hydrated, you should soak Russian tortoises from time to time. For adult tortoises, one or two soakings a week for about 15 to 30 minutes each should be enough.

For smaller and younger tortoises, this should be increased to three times a week but only done for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

Make sure to use water shallow enough so that your tortoise doesn’t drown.

Lighting

Close up of russian tortoise face
Close-up of Russian tortoise face

Like most reptiles, Russian tortoises will need both heat and UV light to stay healthy. Being exposed to ultraviolet light helps tortoises produce sufficient calcium as well as helping them to absorb nutrients.

If you are housing your Russian tortoise indoors, you will need to provide a UVB bulb for them. The Zoo Med Lighting Kit is great because it houses both a heat and UVB bulb in one unit. Whichever lights you use, keep them on a 12 to 14-hour day/night cycle.

If you are keeping your Russian tortoise outdoors, then extra ultraviolet lights shouldn’t be needed as long as an area of the enclosure receives direct sunlight throughout the day. This is the best way to provide ultraviolet light for your tortoise.

Accessories

There are a couple of accessories you can provide for your tortoise to give them a healthier, happier life.

The first is some form of smaller humid enclosure, housed underground if your tortoise lives outside. This gives your Russian tortoise a place to escape high temperatures.

Whether you keep your tortoise inside or out, you should provide some cover for them in the form of plants. Not only will these give your tortoise a place to hide, but can also be extra food for them.

Make sure to choose things from our list of tortoise-safe plants. Try to add broad-leafed plants where possible.

Feeding

30 year old Russian tortoise with greens in mouth
30-year-old Russian tortoise with greens in mouth

What do Russian tortoises eat?

A good Russian tortoise diet should mainly consist of dark leafy green vegetation as well as grazing grasses. Dandelion leaves are one of the most popular and well-received foods for Russian tortoises. Some other good choices are cabbage, mustard greens, radicchio, and turnip greens.

For outdoor tortoises, a variety of grasses and weeds to graze on can be combined with leafy greens to form a great diet. Hay is also good for tortoises. Specimens kept outside shouldn’t need dietary supplements.

A diet rich in greens should be supplemented with a few fruits and vegetables. If your tortoise doesn’t like fruit or experiences diarrhea after eating them, stop giving them fruit. Most tortoises can’t handle the high acid and sugar content of fruit.

Iceberg lettuce and any form of meat or cat and dog food should be avoided. The lettuce contains no useful nutrients for tortoises, while any meat won’t be good for these terrestrial herbivores.

Fresh water should be given daily. For indoor tortoises, dust two meals per week with calcium and multivitamin supplements.

Temperament and Handling

Are Russian tortoises good pets?

Russian tortoises are a very active species, and once they are comfortable they will recognize and interact with you. However, they don’t like to be handled very much, so this should only be done when absolutely necessary.

That said, these tortoises are usually very calm and docile creatures. They may be shy in captivity, retreating to their burrow if they feel uncomfortable.

But due to their manageable size and relatively easy care, Russian tortoises are great pets for beginners and advanced keepers alike.

Signs of good health

When choosing a Russian tortoise or checking your individual over, there are a few indicators to watch for that demonstrate if your tortoise is healthy.

The eyes of a healthy tortoise will be clear and bright, while their nose will be clear of constant mucus or any other liquids.

Russian tortoises should also have healthy appetites. If a specimen is refusing to eat, this can be a sign of health issues. When selecting a Russian tortoise, ask if you can watch it eat.

But by far the best way to gauge the health of a tortoise is to look at its shell.

What does a healthy Russian tortoise shell look like?

A healthy shell for a Russian tortoise should be nice and smooth without any signs of flaking. There should also be no pyramiding, which can be a symptom of Metabolic Bone Disease.

Health concerns

As mentioned above, Metabolic Bone Disease can be identified through pyramiding. This debilitating illness commonly affects tortoises that are getting insufficient calcium through their diet and exposure to UV light. MBD can result in deformed growth in their shells along with weak bones.

Shell rot is also something to look out for. This affliction can develop if your tortoise gets a fungal infection and can also cause deformed shell growth.

Breathing problems can also afflict Russian tortoises. This is usually caused by incorrect temperature or humidity levels, so make sure to follow these guidelines. You can detect breathing problems if your tortoise is very lethargic or if you hear them wheezing.

An interesting YouTube video about the Russian tortoise

How to breed Russian tortoises

Russian tortoises can start mating at any size or age. Females can start laying eggs once they are around 4 and a half inches long.

If you would like to breed your Russian tortoises, you’ll likely have a higher chance of success if you have at least two to three females and one male in a habitat. The tortoises need to be well-fed and to be healthy before mating.

Russian tortoises will usually mate during the first few weeks after they come out of hibernation. The males will begin courting by biting the female’s legs and circling them.

About a month after fertilization, the female will be ready to lay eggs. You will need to provide a proper nesting area for these females. Put some sand or small pebbles in the nesting area because females like to bury the eggs.

The females also become very anxious right before they lay eggs, so don’t worry if they refuse food for a few days. The eggs should hatch within eight to twelve weeks.

Russian Tortoise Hatchling Care

For the first few years of their life, it’s best to raise Russian tortoises indoors to give them the best growth conditions as well as to protect them from predators.

Russian tortoise hatchlings are usually about an inch long when they emerge from the egg, so need a much smaller enclosure than older specimens.

A 20-gallon glass tank is best as it will retain humidity to help the tortoise grow. Humidity levels of about 80% are ideal. Temperatures should be around room temperature or slightly higher.

As your tortoise grows into a juvenile, you’ll need to give them a bigger enclosure like a tortoise house or tortoise table.

Hatchlings and juveniles can eat the same foods as adult tortoises, but you’ll need to cut the greens and vegetables up into smaller pieces to allow them to eat properly. Dust their food with calcium and vitamin supplements every other day at least.

Frequently Asked Questions about Russian tortoises

Russian tortoise climbing on rock
Russian tortoise climbing on rock

How much does a Russian tortoise cost?

When it comes to Russian tortoises, prices usually average between $200 and $400. Avoid buying wild-caught specimens if at all possible, as this contributes to negative effects on wild tortoises. There are captive-bred tortoises available in the US from specialist breeders.

Do Russian tortoises like to be held?

Russian tortoises are a very active tortoise species that like to roam around and explore. They do not like to be handled and may get scared and retreat into their burrow. It’s best to avoid handling your tortoise unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Why does a Russian tortoise stay buried?

In the wild, Russian tortoises survive in hot temperatures by burrowing and burying themselves in the ground. This helps to cool them down, allowing them to regulate their body temperature. They may also do this for protection from danger.

Can two Russian tortoises live together?

Most of the time, Russian tortoises can be kept in groups of multiple individuals. Two or more females and up to one male will get along well.

However, housing two males together will often result in territorial clashes, especially during the breeding season. Avoid keeping two male specimens in the same enclosure.

How long does a Russian tortoise sleep?

Adult Russian tortoises will usually only sleep at night and will be active during the day. They will get between 8 and 12 hours of sleep.

However, baby Russian tortoises need a lot more rest to allow their bodies to develop. Often, hatchlings and young tortoises will sleep as much as 19 to 22 hours per day.

Do Russian tortoises recognize their owners?

Russian tortoises, like many turtle and tortoise species, are intelligent enough to come to recognize their owners. Through the daily routine of feeding and cleaning, these reptiles recognize us and can even pick us out from a group of other humans!

Can Russian tortoises eat cucumbers?

Yes, Russian tortoises can eat cucumbers. However, it’s best not to use cucumbers as a regular dietary staple as they are very low in nutritional value. But on hot days, refreshing cucumbers will be a welcome treat that can help keep your tortoise cool and hydrated.

Wrapping Up

Russian tortoises are great pets for both beginner and advanced reptile keepers. Once the initial setup is in place, these animals are relatively low maintenance. They are active, engaging, and personable tortoises.

The most important thing to bear in mind is to keep the temperature levels right for your Russian tortoise. Too hot or too cold and they will start to suffer from health problems.

If you enjoyed this guide to Russian tortoise care and are thinking of getting one of these wonderful tortoises, then feel free to comment down below!

Click to rate this post!
[Total: 12 Average: 4.9]

Sharing is caring!

Kat

Tuesday 29th of June 2021

#tortoisemonth Happy Tortoise Tuesday

john

Friday 21st of February 2020

Thanks for all the great info on the horsefieldii tortoise. such great tips and care information.

AllTurtles

Friday 21st of February 2020

Happy we could help!