Russian tortoises are one of the more popular reptiles to own as pets because they thrive in extreme temperatures. But many owners of this species have a difficult time finding or creating a tortoise enclosure that would satisfy both pockets and of course, the tortoise.
Given their natural ability to adapt to a multitude of environments, creative freedom is possible when designing and developing a habitable space for these shelled yet gentle creatures, which could make for a fun project to undertake for you and the family. Needless to say, Russian tortoises—or any animal for that matter—are not play dough to simply squeeze and fit into a mold. There are still standards and logical accommodations to adhere to for your friend to remain happy and healthy.
If you keep any living, breathing creature inside a small enclosure, cage or aquarium, that said creature will likely become stressed or even deranged. Tight spaces are suffocating, and that is a matter of fact for your pet Russian Tortoise as well. Logically, the size of a tortoise enclosure should bear in mind the size of the tortoise itself. And because these common household reptiles can grow as big as inches, the tortoise enclosure should be at least 10 times as long, 5 times as wide and 3 times as high as the tortoise you are building for gallon.
If you have a baby Russian tortoise hatchling, it is ok to start it off with something smaller like a plastic tub. However, you must increase the size of its habitat as the tortoise increases in size. Like many other tortoise species, these reptiles have a long life expectancy. To reach that milestone, these reptiles need optimal care.
Without the right environment, a high-quality diet, and overall superior husbandry, these tortoises can experience stress and disease that shortens their lifespan. This includes the large domed shell, rough skin, and thick stubby legs. The carapace, which is the upper part of the shell, is usually covered in shades of olive green, tan, brown, and black.
The ridges are often tan while the centers of the individual scutes are darker in color. The bottom of the shell, called the plastron, is dark as well. It may be solid black or have splashes of brown thrown in. The skin of the tortoise is tan. You will also notice that the tortoises have darker patches all over the lower legs and head. They create an armor-like look and are usually a bit harder in texture.
Expert Tip: One interesting thing about the Russian tortoise is its feet. Each foot has four claws that the tortoise uses for burrowing and climbing. Males and females have some noticeable differences are well. Males have longer tails. The tip of the tail has a bony spur on the end.
When hiding inside their shell, males will often rest the tail against their back thigh. The average Russian tortoise size is between eight and ten inches in length when fully grown. Adult females are almost always bigger than males. At birth, these tortoises are usually only about an inch in length. You may see some specimens for sale around this size. The key to caring for these tortoises is to provide a proper environment that mimics their natural habitat in the wild. That means providing the right conditions around the clock.
Russian tortoises are unique in the fact that you can keep them outside if your climate permits it. Generally, those living in the southern United States can do this because temperatures stay relatively warm all year long.
If you plan on creating an outside habitat, it should be at least two feet long by four feet wide. In that case, an indoor habitat works too.
A good indoor Russian tortoise habitat should be a gallon terrarium with at least five square feet of floor space at least. The tank should be at least eight inches tall as well. A lot of planning has to go into the habitat of a Russian tortoise. The outdoor enclosure should have thick cinderblock walls that are one to two feet high. To preventing your tortoise from digging underneath the perimeter fence, make sure that it extends six inches to a foot below the surface of the soil.
Another thing to be wary of is openings in the wall. Keep the perimeter fence solid. If the tortoise can see something of interest on the other side, they will try and dig to get out. For extra security, place some large rocks along the edges of the fence.
Russian tortoises do best in outdoor environments with plenty of grasses and plants. Bermuda rye and fescue grass are good options. The tortoise will graze on the grass for food. Additional plants are a must. They provide some enrichment while also creating shade. Prickly pears, bristle brushes, desert sage, and large palo verde trees do well. Hide boxes made of wood are also recommended.
Have a couple of them pointed in different directions. Tortoises will use the boxes whenever they need warmth or solace from the sun. By having the boxes pointed in different directions, your tortoise can get the appropriate amount of warmth they need.
As one of the best heat lamps for Russian tortoises on the market today, we couldn't go without mentioning the Zilla Premium Reflector. With reflective white on the inside and a powder-coated black on the inside, this unique light is made to last long.
With its large 8. Russian tortoises food requires a proper diet that is full of fiber and low in protein. There are plenty of food options out there for these beautiful little creatures, many of which contain succulent and herbaceous vegetation. The Russian tortoise diet often consists of twigs, grass, and flowers. For an added source of fiber, it is a good idea to keep grass has, such as brome, orchard grass, or timothy, around the enclosure.
Leafy greens are a great addition to their diet as well, though you must vary the types of greens you give to them to optimize nutrition. Stick with things like collard greens, kale, spinach, and dandelion greens. You should avoid iceberg lettuce if you can, as it doesn't provide a whole lot of nutritional value. You also want to make sure that your Tortoise always has access to freshwater in a shallow water dish.
Having a shallow water dish allows them to drink with ease and reduces the risk of potential drowning. Treating your water with a conditioner to make sure it is free from harmful tap chemicals is important too. Zoo Med Grassland Tortoise food is a wonderful choice for Russian tortoises, as it comes with many of the same stem grasses that are found in the wild. This formula of long-stem fibers is incredibly nutritional and contains fiber that you will not find in any other type of commercial food.
Your tortoise will benefit from the added vitamins and minerals, all of which come without added preservatives or artificial coloring. An indoor Russian tortoise enclosure should be at least 36" x 12". Outdoor Russian tortoise enclosures, on the other hand, must be around 48" x 48" long and have a screened cover to allow in light while providing protection.
Russian tortoises are incredible climbers, meaning you need to make sure that your enclosure is high enough that they cannot get out. As a good rule of thumb, you want your enclosure to be at least three times the height of your tortoise. If you choose to place your enclosure outdoors, you also want to make sure that you bury it at least 12" into the ground. Beyond their surprisingly excellent climbing abilities, it should come as no surprise that Russian tortoises are great diggers.
An indoor tortoise enclosure can either come in the form of a plastic tub, a wooden terrarium, or a glass tank. Glass enclosures are very popular, as they provide ample viewing. However, owners must make sure that the glass is noticeable from the tortoise's point of view so that they don't run into it and hurt themselves. Outdoor enclosures should use durable wood that is not prone to rot or moisture.
You might find cheap plywood in some low-grade enclosures, which won't last very long. Looking for solid wood enclosures to build your Russian tortoise house is ideal. Because Russian tortoises are native to dry and arid regions, it is important that owners keep the elements of those regions in mind when creating their pet's habitat. Humidity should stay very low, temperatures should sit anywhere between the low 60s and high 90s for nighttime and daytime respectively, and there should be plenty of high-quality, desert-friendly substrate for them to burrow in when they please.
If you live in a mild or Mediterranean climate, then your tortoise should be able to stay outside throughout the winter. However, you must be careful to watch temperatures and make sure they don't go below the 40s. If you live in a cold climate, it is best to bring your tortoise indoors for the winter. As with many other animals and different tortoise species, Russian tortoises go into hibernation and brumation during the winter.
During this time, they may even continue growing. The Russian tortoise makes a great pet. In fact, Russian tortoises tend to be one of the most popular choices for people who have never owned reptiles before. While they might be easy to take care of, it is important that owners follow specific guidelines to optimize their pet's quality of life.
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