Having the proper habitat, substrate, lighting, heating, and hides is the key to success. I have kept the best info for my famous email care course so if you havent already shame on you. We have several species of both captive bred and imported live tortoises for sale. In this book, ive explained my experience with my tortoise. Buy russian tortoises complete herp care by pirog, e. This is a book that has a great deal of information related to topics that include health care, housing, breeding, and diet for russian tortoises. Each title in the complete herp care series contains indepth, current information on a wide variety of topics, including breeding. Caring for a russian tortoise russian turtle caresheet. Baby russian tortoises have very similar needs to adult russian tortoises. Covering a wide range of topics, such as nutrition, helath care, breeding, adn how to construct both indoor and outdoor habitats for russian tortoises, this book will provide extensive facts and interesting ideas for reptile fans at every level of the hobby. Search by animal caresheets zoo med laboratories, inc. A beginners guide to tortoise care, andrew highfield and nadine highfield if you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 8473298709. They have very specific care requirements, and an incredibly long lifespan. Russian tortoise care chicago exotics animal hospital.
The most common health problems that a russian tortoise may contract are very minor. The russian tortoise is a very small species as an adult female only grows to be a maximum of 10 inches in size and an adult male grows to be a maximum of 8 inches. With a long life span, expect your russian tortoise to be a companion for life. Ask a store partner about petcos selection of books on russian tortoises and the variety of private brand products available for the care and happiness of your. A requirement of higher humidity and hydration is the main difference. Learn more about russian tortoise care in this informative article from the center for bird and exotic medicine in bothell, wa. Before we dig into this epic care guide, remember that a russian tortoise is the exact same as a horsefield tortoise. I explain all aspects of keeping a russian tortoise as a pet to make sure that your tortoise will be has happy as mine. A great species for keepers just starting out, russian tortoises are one the easiest to care. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required.
Russian tortoise care sheet care sheet for the russian tortoise testudo agrionemys horsfieldii. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. It will give you some additional background on russian tortoise diet and other aspects of their care. Russian tortoises do not often drink, the get their moisture from the metabolic moisture produced from their food.
This small tortoise enjoys burrowing and roaming about its habitat. You might feel like all pet tortoises out there get too big, but one good thing about the russian tortoise is that it stays small. Mar 22, 2020 how to take care of a russian tortoise. A popular pet tortoise, russian tortoises are one of the most readily available tortoise species. Every book is fully illustrated and contains multiple sidebars and tip boxes. The edible landscaping plants may or may not be eatenliked by your tortoise. Russian tortoises are quite personable, have a long history in the pet trade, and have been exported to the united states, europe, and asia. In this article, we will talk about the types of food items you can feed to your tortoise. Delivery may be delayed due to acts beyond our reasonable control, which may include, but are not limited to, weather, strikes, power outages, shutdowns, local, state or federal governmental actions, and other similar acts. So when you see a very cheap russian tortoise price, you know it is not a captive bred russian tortoise.
Baby russian tortoise care sheet also for other herbivorous. View products for animals or categories listed below. This book contains a lot of important information related to tortoise care in general. My 8 yr old daughter has been begging me for a book about them. To see what may be hidden in your tortoise click here. Their small size and active nature make these tortoises an excellent reptile pet. This book will discuss the captive care and breeding of russian tortoises, but the care of most of the mediterranean species is very similar russian tortoises are quite personable, have a long history in the pet trade.
These tortoises are relatively small compared to others in the pet market. Russian tortoise care tips by sarah and tyler stewart the popular russian tortoise agrionemys testudo horsfieldii is a small tortoise native to many different countriesnot just russia, but also uzbekistan, afghanistan, iran, china, kazakhstan, pakistan and others. However, even the largest female specimens rarely exceed 8 inches in length, making them easy to accommodate, regardless of gender. Greek and russian tortoises should be fed a highfiber, lowprotein diet of leafy greens, grass hay and vegetables. Below are some tips and information on the care of the captive bred russian tortoise. Russian tortoise care sheet russian tortoise diet russian. Remember, each tortoise order comes with a free starter sample of the same tortoise diet your tortoise has been raised on to order larger quantities, see the lower left side of this page. Caring for a russian tortoise russian turtle caresheet petmd. Russian tortoises are great beginner pet tortoises, as they are healthy and hardy creatures. Russian tortoise for sale captive bred baby russian.
Outline of the care, feeding, and housing of russian tortoises in captivity. Covering a wide range of topics, such as nutrition, health care, breeding, and how to construct both indoor and outdoor habitats for russian tortoises, this book will provide extensive facts and interesting ideas for reptile fans at every level of the hobby. Hermanns tortoise book for diet, costs, care, diet, health, behavior and interaction. Recommend books on russian tortoise care the 7 best in 2019. Russian tortoises are grazers and enjoy broad leaf plants. The most important thing that you can do to keep a tortoise healthy is to ensure that you are providing a proper environment and diet. The species name of the russian tortoise is tortudo horsefieldii, or agrionemis horsefieldii the agrionemis horsefieldii is a small sized tortoise. The degree of heat and humidity in the habitat will depend on their breed. Its native environment is harsh and arid, and includes sandy steppes, as well as grassy areas close to springs in arid, rocky, hilly terrain. Dark green leafy vegetables, squash, carrots, etc fruit should be given sparingly as a treat. They were great for beginners and i would highly recommend them. If you want to be a responsible keeper and you do, youll need to read at least a halfdozen russian tortoise care sheet. You may also keep your russian tortoise outdoors if. Where to find the perfect russian tortoise for sale.
Zoo meds tortoise house is an ideal enclosure to house this small species. The species name of the russian tortoise is tortudo horsefieldii, or agrionemis horsefieldii. Russian tortoises complete herp care books like these can access a wide range of readers in spite of the fact that they were written by experts. Common health problems with russian tortoises pethelpful.
This article describes experiences of keeping this species in the northern uk sheffield with particular reference to how the latest captive care information has been applied in practice. To help ensure the health and wellbeing of our associates and pet parents, we are temporarily suspending all product returns or exchanges. This is true even with long term wild caught and captive born animals. The bulk of their diet should consist of a variety of dark, leafy, greens. A russian tortoise can live up to 50 years when given optimum living conditions. Russian tortoise description, habitat, image, diet, and. Russian tortoises well started hatchlings and juveniles for. You may also keep your russian tortoise outdoors if the weather is similar to their natural habitat. Russian tortoises adult for sale from the turtle source.
These herbivores are the longest living animals on the planet. A community for russian tortoises including care, food, housing, buying and more. The following list of plants is to be used as a guide for safely landscaping your pens and providing a better variety of weeds to feed. Feb 26, 2019 thinking about getting a tortoise as a pet. If you purchase your russian tortoise rt from a pet store the first thing you should do is bring your new tortoise along with a fecal poop sample to a qualified veterinarian who works with reptiles, turtles in particular, so the tort can be checked over and the fecal checked for parasites. Theyre only about, making them a great beginner reptile. Not all animals currently have a care sheet, however, we are in the process of adding them. Click here for a onestop resource on everything you need to. Jul 31, 2019 its very important that you are aware of what illnesses russian tortoises may contract or develop. Russian tortoises are fairly easy to care for, however, do your homework before you buy a russian tortoise. Russian tortoises requires a very dry, welldrained cage in an indoor enclosure.
Also benefit from a russian tortoise commercial diet, but should be no more than 25% of the diet. They pretty much cover everything from diethealth care husbandrybreeding. Russian tortoises are primarily herbivores in the wild, and a similar diet should be provided in captivity. Descriptionthe russian tortoise, additionally normally referred to as the afghan tortoise, the central asian tortoise, horsfields tortoise, and the steppe tortoise, is a threatened species of tortoise in the circle of relatives testudinidae. The russian tortoise agrionemys horsfieldii, also commonly known as the afghan tortoise, the central asian tortoise, horsfields tortoise, fourclawed tortoise, and the russian steppe tortoise, is a threatened species of tortoise in the family testudinidae.
Focusing on the care of pet turtles and tortoises this book covers out door versus indoor housing, and lighting, temperature, humidity, and food requirements. Nobody knows for certain how long a captiveborn russian tortoise can live. Russian tortoise humidity what is best humidity for baby. The russian tortoise, which is the name it is usually known by, was named after the naturalist thomas horsefield. If kept too dry, they will have irregular, pyramided shell. The book also gives a basic description of several species of turtles and tortoises and the specific care needs that each may require when kept as pets. The biggest problem with russian tortoises for sale is that most are wild caught and can be as old as 4050 years old when you buy the russian tortoise. Keep your tortoise s habitat toasty and damp, like the warm countries these pets come from. Russian tortoises well started hatchlings and juveniles. This site is dedicated to providing exchange of ideas and information to create a better understanding of the care and breeding of the russian tortoise. Russian tortoises living outdoors and allowed to dig burrows are very capable of taking care of themselves as far as temperatures are concerned. Once youve purchased your russian tortoise for sale, it is time to get ready to prepare for your new pet tortoise to arrive and get everything ready. Petfocus magazine interpet publishing has released keeping a pet tortoise, the second in a series of pet care guides that launched last year with the publication of keeping pet chickens.
Practical experiences of keeping the russian tortoise. With good humidity, uvb, and healthy food, your tortoise will grow healthily and smoothly. Edible plants plants as food for tortoises russian tortoise. With this book, you will definitely realize a great difference in the health and character of your russian pet in just over a short period of time. Daily care, pros and cons, cages, costs, diet, breeding all covered. Testudo horsfieldii, horsfield, agrionemys, steppe. It discusses topics vital to caring for your tortoise, such as housing, temperature and humidity control, lighting, feeding.
This book will discuss the captive care and breeding of russian tortoises, but the care of most of the mediterranean species is very similar. Kenan visits tortoise supply in nevada for great information on a baby desert tortoise setup. Our apparently awol tortoise had constructed her own basement residence complete with waterconserving microclimate. Make sure you are ready for the commitment before choosing a russian tortoise as a pet. However, they cant be raised with ignorance, and with their long life, they need to be taken care of. Testudo horsfieldii is known variously as the russian, the afghan, the steppe, and the horsfields tortoise. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. A 20 gallon or larger terrarium is recommended for a single adult tortoise. Though you may be dying to hold your pet tortoise, you should try to take it easy on holding it, or letting others hold it. By tyler stewart written for use by reptiles magazine.
Please dont think that you are ready to take care of your tortoise after watching this video. In fact, captain cook once gave a geochelone radiata to the royal family of tonga in 1777, where it remained until it passed in 1965, at an age of 188. If being kept indoors an adult russian tortoise will need at least a 30 gallon terrarium. In this video i show you what basic steps are required to take care of your russian tortoise. Learn about general care and characteristics of these reptilian pets. Russian tortoise diet proper food for your pet russian tortoise. Russian tortoises agrionemys horsfieldii are a small species of tortoise native to many different countries including uzbekistan, afghanistan, iran, russia, china, kazakhstan, pakistan and. A great species for keepers just starting out, russian tortoises are one the easiest to care for, and quickly win the favor of their keepers. How to care for tortoises is a tortoise the right pet for you. Honestly there arent that many books out there specifically about russians, but she was thrilled to get it and the information is consistent with the basic care for a russian tortoise. Romaine lettuce, collard greens, carrot tops, kale, mustard greens, and beet greens are all excellent choices.
I started taking care of the tortoise due to inadequate care from my in laws. Yes, these tortoises can make good pets, but it is important to know what you are getting into. Before purchasing your new captive bred baby russian tortoise for sale online, please do your homework and learn about proper russian tortoise care, russian tortoise diet, russian tortoise breeding and more. People who are new to caring for tortoises are going to be able to get a lot of useful facts out of it. This tortoise is found primarily in pakistan, afghanistan, iran, southeastern russia, and china. They are very active and responsive to their owners, and they make great first reptiles when cared for properly. I recently adopted a russian tortoise and i do not know much about this species. You should take good care of your russian tortoise and you will have a companion for life. And 1 on russian tortoises with a lot on the testudo species and i thought they were very informative and very good.
Human activities in its native habitat contribute to its threatened status. The enclosure should have appropriate landscaping, with an area for both hiding and excercise, and an easily cleaned substrate. Russian tortoise basic care and turtle rescue of long. Ours bask in the low to mid 90s, with a uvb source also provided. Daily care, pros and cons, cages, costs, diet, breeding all covered hoppendale, george on. Russian tortoise diet is one of the most important elements of their care and keeping. House your russian tortoise in a enclosure that is big enough for the tortoise to move around in freely. Greek tortoises, hermanns tortoises, marginated tortoises, egyptian tortoises, and russian tortoises. The tortoises of the mediterranean and eurasia include five groups. Russian tortoise diet proper food for your pet russian. Kindle store buy a kindle free kindle reading apps kindle books french ebooks kindle unlimited prime reading amazon charts best sellers.
Russian tortoises complete herp care and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. If you are looking for an easy to understand book on how to care for your russian tortoise at its best, this is the book you need to purchase. You need to keep an eye on your tortoise because any changes in appetite, behaviors, or overall routine may indicate an illness is developing. Female russian tortoises are typically larger than males once mature. The beauty of taking on one of these tortoises is that as long as you care for them the right way, they make a great pet, because they will live longer than you will. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. A comprehensive guide to russian tortoises, leopard.
With a relatively small size but big personality, the russian tortoise is one of the most popular tortoises kept as a pet. Russian tortoises also enjoy climbing, so try to provide an enclosure that gives them that opportunity. Great baby tort setups for greek, russian, hermanns. Russian tortoise care sheet russian tortoise information and. Russian tortoise care sheet russian tortoise information. High fiber and calcium, low protein and fat is needed to ensure good digestive tract function. Mar 15, 2009 with up to date information, easy to read advice and lots of great photos this book is ideal for anyone new to the tortoise world. Russian tortoises do best in slightly warmer, drier environments with about 50% humidity.