Care sheet

Russian Tortoise

Testudo horsfieldii

Also known as: Horsfield's Tortoise, Central Asian Tortoise

Testudinidae · Testudines

BeginnerCITES IIIUCN VU

Activity: ☀️ Diurnal
Temperament: Hands-off
Adult length: 5–8 in
Lifespan (captivity): 40–50 yrs
Native range: Central Asia — Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Iran, NW China (dry steppe)

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Care guide

Overview

Russian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) — a small, hardy, and popular beginner tortoise, but an avid digger and escape artist, so bury outdoor fencing deep and provide loose substrate to burrow. Keep them individually (very territorial). A high-fiber weed/green herbivore with a low-humidity steppe origin. Healthy adults hibernate seasonally; sick or underweight animals must not.

Environment

Climate

Cool side

60–70 °F

Warm side

80–90 °F

Basking spot

85–95 °F

Nighttime

65–75 °F

Humidity (ambient)

40–65%

Environment

UVB lighting

Required?

Yes — provide UVB

Fixture type

T5 HO

Replacement interval

Every 12 months

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation

Terrestrial

Bioactive setup

Suitable

Minimum size by life stage

HatchlingNot specified
JuvenileNot specified
AdultIndoor ~4x2 ft min (larger better); outdoor ideal — bury fencing deep (avid digger/escaper).

Housing

Substrate

Safe options

deep loose topsoil/sand/coir blend (for burrowing)

Avoid

pinecedardusty calcium-sand

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type

Herbivore

Feeding frequency by life stage

AdultFresh high-fiber greens/weeds daily

Supplementation

Calcium for indoor animals; high-fiber, low-protein, low-fat diet. Avoid fruit and high-protein foods.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Shallow bowls / plant saucers for soaking and drinking.

Soaking behavior

Regular shallow soaks, especially juveniles.

Legal & ecology

Conservation

CITES

Appendix II

IUCN Red List

VU · Vulnerable

Wild populations

Vulnerable (1996, dated); CITES Appendix II. Extremely territorial — house individually. Russian tortoises DO hibernate (~3 months, 40-50F, healthy adults only).

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

Basic Information Sheet: Russian Tortoise
LafeberVet (Pollock DVM, Kanis)
veterinary
Range, size 12-20 cm, temp tables, humidity <=65-70, UVB, burrowing substrate, individual housing, hibernation, CITES II, IUCN VU.
Published: 2015-03-18
Testudo horsfieldii — IUCN Red List
IUCN (TFTSG 1996)
government
Vulnerable; CITES Appendix II; threats (habitat degradation, pet trade).
Published: 1996-01-01
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
ReptiFiles
breeder community
T5 HO UVB (basking UVI 3-4), enclosure 6-8 x 4 ft, bioactive maintenance.
Published: 2022-01-01