Russian Tortoise Care

Looking for a cute, easy to care for pet? I just purchased my first Russian Tortoise and it definitely fits those requirements. Perfect as an indoor or outdoor pet, Russian Tortoises are ideal for their smaller size. Ranging from 6”-10” full grown, these tortoises will sometimes outlive their owner. Living 30 to 50 years, they are a long term commitment.

Before purchasing your new pet, make sure you can provide the proper habitat. Being that I live in an apartment, I had to keep it indoors. They require a large enough enclosure to burrow and roam around. My glass fish tank is 36” x 12” and provides plenty of room for such.

I placed a heating pad under the aquarium to ensure it has a warm place at night. Next step is to fill the bottom with some sort of substrate. The tortoises must be able to burrow themselves in it. They also tend to eat the substrate, so you do not want to use newspapers or sand. I recommend coconut coil. It is light, fluffy and edible. Make sure to lay over a few inches down to allow enough digging room.

Being that Russian Tortoises hail from Afghanistan, Russia and China they can adapt to cold and hot weather. Ideal temperature for an indoor habitat ranges from 65 to 80 degrees. It is important to have a temperature gauge on the tank to ensure it does not get too hot or cold. Another necessity is a full spectrum UVB light. Since the tortoise is cold-blooded this heat source is crucial. It is also important that it provides UVB light, since it is not going to be outdoors. I have the light set to a timer that will stay on for 11 hours a day.

I learned that my tortoise can see through the glass tank, and for the first few days was constantly trying to get out. A remedy is to get a visual barrier of some kind. I went to the pet store and surrounded three sides with an aquarium backdrop. It seemed to lower its stress levels.

Lastly, a shallow water pan and a small house complete the home. The water pan must be big enough for the tortoise to sit in. They like to soak and drink at the same time. I found a pan with a slight ramp for easy maneuvering. Every night it likes to sleep under its little hiding spot. A rodent box or a section of a hollowed out log works perfectly.

Russian tortoises require a simple diet of mainly vegetables. Leafy greens, chopped up squashes, and carrot peels are among their favorites. They also eat fruits such as apples and bananas. Fruits should be an occasional treat for overeating them may cause intestinal problems.

Once you have created a happy home for your Russian tortoise, feel free to let it roam. I let mine cruise around my apartment under supervision. This provides its exercise it needs. They are gentle and friendly to handle. Just remember to always wash your hands after handling them because of the risk of transmitting salmonella.