Despite being relatively small and often drab-looking, Russian tortoises (Agrionemys horsfieldii) often catch the attention of people who’re interested in buying a pet tortoise. By and large, that’s a good thing, as these cute little chelonians have a lot of characteristics that make them excellent pets.
But like all tortoise species, Russian tortoise pets can present some challenges, and they aren’t a great option for all situations. In this article, I’m going to help ensure you make a good decision by sharing some of the pros and cons of these amazing animals, and explaining some of their basic needs, which you’d have to satisfy.
Russian Tortoises as Pets: The Basics
Before adding any new tortoise to your home, you should familiarize yourself with some of the basics of the species you intend to keep. We’ll share some of the most important information about these tortoises below.
Russian Tortoise Size
Russian tortoises are relatively small by tortoise standards. Most adults reach lengths of 4 to 8 inches, though large individuals may reach 10 inches. Females typically outgrow males, and by the time they reach maturity, they sometimes measure 2 to 4 inches longer than males of the same age.
Hatchling Russian tortoises are, however, quite tiny. Most measure approximately 1 inch long. They’ll take between 3 and 7 years to reach adulthood.
Diet and Typical Behaviors
Like most tortoises, a Russian tortoises’ diet is primarily herbivorous, though they’ll consume the occasional invertebrate or bit of carrion when the opportunity presents itself. They primarily subsist on leafy plant materials, including grasses, weeds, and sedges, but they’ll also eat flowers and fruit on occasion. Russian tortoises primarily forage for food in the morning, though they may also search for food in the afternoon at times.
Russian tortoises exhibit relatively typical behaviors by tortoise standards. They spend a significant portion of their lives in underground tunnels, including most nights, days that are too hot, and the winter, during which they may remain in the tunnels for months while they brumate (the reptilian equivalent of hibernating). They often dig these tunnels themselves, though they’ll inhabit the tunnels or burrows created by other animals at times.
Lifespan
Little is known about the lifespan of Russian tortoises in the wild (as is the case with most tortoise species). However, they’re thought to routinely reach 40 to 60 years of age. They may be able to live for much longer in captivity, given that they’re provided with essentially unlimited food, protected from predators, and afforded veterinary care.
Temperament
Russian tortoises are generally inoffensive creatures, who’re un-inclined to bite, even if threatened (which is not to suggest that they cannot bite). Typically, if frightened, they’ll simply withdraw into their shell and cover their face with their armored front legs.
Some Russian tortoises are shy, but many are quite bold by tortoise standards. They’ll often learn to associate their keeper with food, which can occasionally cause them to “chase” their keeper and “beg” for tasty treats.
Care Requirements
By and large, Russian tortoises are easy to maintain. However, you’ll need to satisfy all of their basic care needs to have success with the species and treat your pet with the respect he deserves.
Among other things, this means providing:
- A suitable enclosure. Russian tortoises will need a suitable enclosure, which provides between 8 and 16 square feet of space. Outdoor enclosures are preferred, but you can keep them indoors if need be.
- The proper climate. Russian tortoises will require a thermal gradient, meaning that their enclosure should be quite warm at one end (approximately 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit), while the opposite end of the enclosure should be in the mid-70s. At night, the temperatures can be allowed to drop to the mid-60s.
- A safe substrate. There are several different substrates that will work for Russian tortoises, including soil, soil-sand blends, and commercially available reptile bark substrates. Soil is typically the best option, as it will allow the tortoises to excavate tunnels.
- Appropriate enclosure furniture. You don’t want to overcrowd your tortoise’s habitat, but you don’t want it to be completely empty, either. Minimally, you’ll want to include a few hiding places, and it’s always a good idea to add some additional items that’ll serve as visual barriers and offer opportunities for exploration and enrichment.
- A healthy diet. Russian tortoises will need fresh, clean vegetable matter between 5 and 7 days per week (hatchlings should be fed every day; adults can be fed 5 or 6 days per week). You will also need clean dishes to offer your tortoise’s food in.
- Regular veterinary care. While Russian tortoises do not require vaccinations or similar types of routine care, they still require veterinary care anytime they suffer illness or injury. Additionally, it is wise to visit your veterinarian at least once per year for a wellness check.
Russian Tortoises: Pros, Cons, and Considerations
Like all tortoise species, Russian tortoises present a variety of benefits, as well as some challenges. It is only by carefully considering these issues that you can decide whether a Russian tortoise will make a good pet for you.
Benefits
- Russian tortoises are relatively small. While large individuals may reach 8 to 10 inches in length, most Russian tortoises remain in the 4- to 7-inch size range. This means that they don’t require the same kinds of massive enclosures that some other tortoises do.
- Russian tortoises are often very affordable. While the costs of tortoises vary based on everything from the specific retailer or breeder selling the animal to fluctuating market forces, Russian tortoises are generally very affordable when compared to some other tortoise species.
- Russian tortoises are typically hardy. Unlike some tortoise species, who frequently suffer from illnesses or other problems, Russian tortoises are generally healthy and capable of withstanding the kinds of mistakes fledgling keepers often make.
- Russian tortoises have endearing personalities. While many tortoise species are shy and unlikely to interact with their keepers, Russian tortoises are often described as being “outgoing” and “personable.” This simply makes them more fun pets for many keepers.
Challenges
- It is sometimes challenging to find captive-bred Russian tortoises. Russian tortoises are bred with increasing regularity, but many of the individuals available in the pet market are wild caught. Unfortunately, these are often parasitized, necessitating more veterinary care and additional effort on the part of their keepers.
- Russian tortoises may dig tunnels in outdoor enclosures. While the tunnels Russian tortoises create aren’t as long or wide as the tunnels created by larger species, they can still cause problems in some cases.
- Some keepers find Russian tortoises to be rather drab looking. Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder, but some keepers find that these brown to straw-colored tortoises fall behind some other species as far as aesthetics are concerned.
Cost of Ownership
All tortoises present financial liabilities to their keepers, and Russian tortoises are no exception. However, these small tortoises are generally less expensive to care for than some of the other, larger species available to keepers. Typical costs associated with these animals include:
- Russian tortoises usually cost between $50 and $200 dollars, depending on its size, sex, and coloration, as well as whether or not it is captive bred.
- The initial habitat for a Russian tortoise will cost between $50 and $300, depending on the type of enclosure used. Stock tanks, storage tubs, and small plastic swimming pools are some of the most affordable options. If you don’t mind spending a little more money, you can opt for a front-opening plastic enclosure or a tortoise tables.
- As with all tortoises, you’ll need to purchase lighting and heating devices for your pet. These will usually cost approximately $100 to $200, depending on the types you select.
- Substrates, enclosure furniture, food dishes, and water dishes are generally not terribly expensive. Keepers maintaining their Russian tortoises outdoors usually just rely on the preexisting soil or grass as a substrate, but commercial substrates are available for indoor-reared tortoises and generally inexpensive. Hides vary in cost, with some (such as inverted plastic boxes with a door cut in the side) being very affordable, and others, such as cork bark, being somewhat more expensive. Food dishes are rarely expensive, and you can use a variety of more affordable options, such as plant saucers, if need be.
- Russian tortoises are not terribly expensive to feed; in most cases, $5 to $10 per week would cover all of your pet’s food needs. You may, however, spend slightly more than this if you rely heavily on commercial tortoise pellets.
- Veterinary expenses can also vary significantly. Yearly wellness checks will likely cost somewhere between $50 and $200, depending on the veterinarian and your location. However, emergency care or serious illnesses may require thousands of dollars or veterinary services.
Compatibility As a Family Pet
Russian tortoises rarely present compatibility problems for most families. They’re neither aggressive nor likely to bite, and they are generally docile animals. Many even seem to “enjoy” the company of their keepers.
However, they will need to be protected from other pets, such as dogs or cats. While Russian tortoises do have strong shells, they’re not impenetrable, and they can be seriously injured by these types of pets.
Additionally, you’ll want to keep in mind that – like all reptiles – Russian tortoises can harbor germs, such as Salmonella. So, extreme care is required when keeping them in homes containing young children, the elderly, or anyone with a compromised immune system. Additionally, you should always avoid using kitchen or bathroom sinks to wash your tortoise’s enclosure furniture or any tools you use to care for him.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Russian tortoises are legal pets in most parts of the U.S., though federal law does prohibit the sale of tortoises with a shell of less than 4 inches in length. However, in practice, this law is rarely enforced, and hatchlings are often available from breeders and at reptile expos.
While Russian tortoises aren’t endangered, it is better to purchase captive-bred hatchlings than wild-caught adults, as the former do not cause any harm to the environment or wild populations. Additionally, captive-bred tortoises typically present fewer husbandry challenges and experience fewer health problems.
If you enjoyed this article, here’s a link to Hermann’s Tortoise vs Russian Tortoise: Ultimate Best Pet Guide that you may also like.
Citations
- Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital – Russian Tortoise Care
- Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital – Basic Care: Russian Tortoise
- RussianTortoise.org – The Russian Tortoise
