Russian Tortoise — Fact Sheet

Testudo horsfieldii · Russian Tortoise

📋 At a glance

🏠 Enclosure

• Outdoors preferred in warm, dry weather; this species needs space and digging depth
• Outdoor minimum for one adult: several m² with buried or dig-proof edges
• Indoor: wide open tortoise table or large pen, not a tall glass terrarium
• Substrate: dry mineral soil, sand, and clay mix suitable for burrowing
• Avoid: damp closed tanks, cedar/pine, cat litter, smooth floors, weak barriers

🪨 Enclosure furniture

• Deep digging zone + basking area + shaded retreat + dry shelter
• Uneven ground, low mounds, flat stones, roots, edible weeds
• Outdoor walls must stop climbing, squeezing, and digging under

💡 Lighting

• UVB essential indoors
• Best: T5 HO UVB plus separate basking heat or a measured mercury vapor system
• Outdoor direct sun is excellent; glass/plastic blocks UVB
• Photoperiod: 10-12 h with seasonal adjustment; no night light

🌡️ Temperature

• Basking spot: 32-35 °C

• Warm zone: 26-30 °C

• Cool zone: 20-24 °C

• Night: 16-20 °C

• Clear thermal gradient required

• Measure basking surface with an infrared thermometer

• Avoid heat rocks, damp chill, and constant overheating

💧 Humidity & water

• Mostly dry, well-ventilated setup
• Shallow water dish always available
• Juveniles: short regular soaks and a slightly humid hide
• Avoid permanently wet corners, muddy substrate, and stale humid air

🥬 Diet

Feed freely:

• Dandelion (Taraxacum spp.)
• Plantain (Plantago spp.)
• Mallow (Malva spp.)
• Chicory, endive, sow thistle, grasses, safe weeds
• Mulberry, hibiscus, unsprayed grapevine leaves

In moderation:

• Clover (Trifolium spp.)
• Arugula, escarole, grass hay

Avoid:

• Fruit except very rarely
• Animal protein, dog/cat food, dairy, bread, processed foods
• Soft supermarket vegetables as the staple diet

Supplements:

• Cuttlefish bone available at all times
• Light calcium dusting indoors; UVB still required

💤 Winter rest

• Often appropriate for healthy, established animals from suitable backgrounds
• Do not hibernate: sick, underweight, newly acquired, parasitized, or dehydrated animals
• Pre-check: weight, appetite, droppings, hydration, body condition
• Typical winter-rest target: 4-8 °C with ventilation and no freezing
• Wake gradually; offer water before food

🩺 Health — warning signs

• Soft or uneven shell → UVB/calcium/diet problem
• Swollen or irritated eyes → infection, dryness, vitamin issue
• Nasal discharge or wheezing → respiratory disease
• Persistent barrier digging → stress, insufficient space, poor layout
• Refusal to eat outside seasonal slowdown → husbandry or health issue
• Weight loss → parasites, dehydration, or disease

Consult a reptile-experienced vet for respiratory signs, serious weakness, parasites, injury, or prolonged anorexia.