Most russian tortoises in the pet trade in the united states are wild caught and imported. The north american desert tortoise, gopherus agassizzi has similar requirements. This is the traditional way to hibernate a tortoise and has several variations. It lives indoors with a sun lamp on all the time, answered by a verified reptile expert. Russians will dig burrows to keep warm in cooler weather as well as to hibernate during winter months. Ensure you open the fridge for a few minutes three or four times a week to facilitate ventilation, otherwise your tortoise may suffocate. A russian tortoise can live up to 50 years when given optimum living conditions. Keep the space clean by scooping waste once a week and completely changing the tortoises bedding at least once a month. It depends on the age, weight, length of tortoise, and general health. Female russian tortoises are typically larger than males once mature. He loves to play in the yard, so i brought you guys along with us today.
If you want to bring one of these tortoises into your family, make sure that the animal has been bred in captivity rather than taken from the wild. The three toed is the first to disappear, then the ornate a week or so later. Different tortoise types also prefer different bedding. In this book, ive explained my experience with my tortoise. Pet owners should go through a pre hibernation health check to ensure that their tortoise is fit for hibernation. Russian tortoises are programmed to eat allot in a short period of time. If they are ill or affected by parasites, they might not even attempt hibernation. To hibernate your tortoise using the box method, prepare a large, strong cardboard box by filling the bottom with polystyrene packaging peanuts, which provide insulation and allow air flow around the box. Hibernation is natures mechanism to protect its coldblooded creatures and some warmblooded animals as well in cold weather or when food and water are scarce. Russian tortoise dog, cat, and pet information for pet. Species that are safe to hibernate are testudo graeca, testudo ibera, t. Raised on a lean, highfiber diet, captiveraised animals in lowstress environments have higher life expectancies. My turtles seem to be hibernating, havent seen them in a few days. Hibernating tortoises should be checked periodically.
Jan 22, 2019 ensure you open the fridge for a few minutes three or four times a week to facilitate ventilation, otherwise your tortoise may suffocate. We will discuss the types of food you can provide, as well as other feeding tips for overall tortoise help. I strongly suggest you hibernate yours as well and i hope this video gives you the hilevel information you need to do so successfully. However, they cant be raised with ignorance, and with their long life, they need to be taken care of properly in the long run. Horsefields or russian tortoises have evolved to consume a diet that is high in fiber and calcium and low in protein and fat. This means that pet owners will need to consider various factors if they intend to hibernate their tortoise. Fresh, clean, chlorinefree water should be available at all times. In captivity, they still need a 23 month sleep period for their overall health. Originally published in the bridge, september 1994. While the russian tortoises can hibernate for as many as nine months a year, it is seen that these tortoises generally hibernate for around 5 months a year and even as less as 8 weeks in captivity. Feb 7, 2016 diy tortoise obstacle ramp helping to keep your tortoise fit. The hibernation journey was very nerve racking to me. 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. Some tortoises have a tendency to go to the bathroom in their water bowl, so expect to clean and disinfect this daily.
The russian tortoise is one species that does hibernate, whereas the leopard. While wild russian tortoises hibernate in response to temperature changes and food availability, there is no need for them to hibernate in captivity. See more ideas about tortoise, tortoises and tortoise turtle. Greek tortoises like sterile soil and calcium sand, while russian tortoises and redfoots prefer coconut fiber or bark. May 29, 2017 my pet tortoise is wrecking my career. I have 2 tortoises, they spend the winter inside and i do not let them hibernate. Hibernation is an important natural process every russian tortoise. A tortoise can be an exhausting and difficult pet fearless and adventurous, with complex moods and needs, a will of iron, moves like greased. Russian tortoise care chicago exotics animal hospital. Oct 08, 2010 tortoises hibernate interior the wintry climate, while temperatures drop. Jun 02, 2010 do russian tortoises need to hibernate.
Russian tortoise faqs the top most asked questions in. My pet tortoise is wrecking my career life and style. Testudo horsfieldii is known variously as the russian, the afgan, the steepe. For years i used to hibernate all of my northern mediterranean species. If you want to hibernate your tortoise outside in a garage or shed, you place it in a secure box within the building. Dietary requirements also differ greatly among the various tortoise speciesfor example, a diet which is ideal for a redfooted tortoise would be devastating to a russian tortoise. May 17, 2014 so, needless to say, i have had a lot of practical training and experience with respect to taking care of different breeds of animals. Tortoises hibernate interior the wintry climate, while temperatures drop. However, it is important to note that with a lifespan averaging 75 years, and many well cared for tortoises exceeding this, owning a russian tortoise constitutes a lifelong. For this reason, most captive tortoises will rarely, if ever, seek out a source of standing water and drink from it. Russian testudo horsfieldii care sheet san diego turtle. I want to hibernate my tortoise yearlings inside but dont know when to do it. My az desert tortoise yearlings still seem to want to eat, although not as much.
What is the hibernation period of russian tortoises. As a finishing touch, add a rock on the warm side for your tortoise to bask on and a platform, cave or other structure on the cool side so they can hide. Tortoise club members get a special banner on their posts, unlimited gallery storage space, special offers. Russian tortoise faqs the top most asked questions in 2019. Russians tortoises can make a great addition to your house or back yard.
Russian tortoises are very round in shape when viewed from above, certainly compared to most tortoise species, and generally have a flattened top to their shell not very highdomed. Russian tortoise diet proper food for your pet russian. Dec 30, 20 hibernation is an important natural process every russian tortoise goes through each year in their wild environment. Caring for a russian tortoise russian turtle caresheet. You must have to remember and ensure that you have provided a perfect and a secure pen for them because these species are very agile and always try to escape. Also benefit from a russian tortoise commercial diet, but should be no more than 25% of the diet.
Take your tortoise to the vet for a health check before you decide if your pet should hibernate particularly if youve recently got your tortoise and are unsure if they have any underlying health issues begin to prepare your tortoise for hibernation in autumn in the uk preparing your tortoise for hibernation good preparation is essential. There is allot of conflicting information about the russian tortoise. Diet is one of the most important aspects of russian tortoise care. The russian tortoise can be easily a good pet for you as these species have a great tolerance of severe heat and also of intense cold. You should take good care of your russian tortoise and you will have a companion for life. Their color is somewhat variable, but usually is a mixture of tans and browns, occasionally with some greenish color to it. Russian tortoises do not need to hibernate to be healthy, so tortoises kept. As a result, they only drink water opportunistically when it is present.
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. In the past, many tortoises which went into hibernation died as a result of lack of knowledge or inadequate housingtemperature control. House your russian tortoise in a enclosure that is big. It is suggested not to hibernate a tortoise under 3 years of age and using the jackson ratio can help determine if your tortoise is the correct weight and size to hibernate. Russian tortoise care sheet pet supplies, pet food, and.
Download a relinquishment form from this website and bring the completed form with you to the exchange. Red footed tortoise tortoise as pets sulcata tortoise horsefield tortoise hermann tortoise tortoise table russian tortoise turtle love pet turtle. The shorter period of hibernation is permissible as pet owners are able to control its environment. Daily care, pros and cons, cages, costs, diet, breeding all covered hoppendale, george on. Hibernation is an important natural process every russian tortoise goes through each year in their wild environment. Russian tortoises come from parts of the world with long and harsh dry seasons. Russian tortoises can easily hibernate for a full period of eight months in an. In the wild a russian tortoise will hibernate up to 9 months of the year.
In captivity they appear to benefit from as little as 8 weeks in hibernation. Indeed, temperature and light exposure should remain constant all year long in captivity to deter hibernation. With proper care they should out live their owners. Their small size and active nature make these tortoises an excellent reptile pet. In the wild they are active only a few months of the year. A tortoise can be an exhausting and difficult pet fearless and adventurous, with complex moods and needs, a. A russian tortoise must hibernation just like they do in the wild so it is crucial. A popular pet tortoise, russian tortoises are one of the most readily available tortoise species. Hi im buying a russian tortoise and i want to know whether it will hibernate or not, if they hibernate for most of the year i wont see the point of getting one, the one i am getting is a male. Care sheet for the russian tortoise testudo agrionemys horsfieldii. In this lesson, youll learn about the proper diet for a russian tortoise. A guide to tortoise hibernation hibernation is possibly the most worrying part of owning a tortoise. Preparing your tortoise for hibernation pets4homes. Russian tortoise for sale captive bred baby russian.
Fortunately for the russian tortoise, it has a massive range, so the entire wild population isnt at risk to the degree many other species with smaller ranges are. If there is a significant risk of flooding from heavy rainfall do not allow your pet to hibernate there. Let your pet adjust to its new home for three or four days before you handle them. I recently got him 3 months ago, and im new to this whole thing. Most pet owners use fridges for indoor hibernation, but only with a lot of care and caution. Never hibernate a tortoise you have owned for less than 1. An easy and effective way to stave off wanting to hibernate is to leave your uv bulb on for 1415hrs a day. A guide to tortoise hibernation reptile information and. Diy tortoise obstacle ramp helping to keep your tortoise. I had done this with with my previous russian and it worked great for many years. Mediterranean tortoises kept in the uk and northern europe will. Nobody knows for certain how long a captiveborn russian tortoise can live. How to care for a hibernating turtle with pictures wikihow.
Also known as the steppe tortoise, the afghan tortoise, and the horsfields tortoise, the russian tortoise is one of the most popular pet tortoise breeds. Make sure your turtle or tortoise is completely safe from predators such as rats, which like chewing on hibernating tortoises. I feel that this is due in part to the fact that they are very adaptable. I have had my tortoise from the pet store for a week and. Small in size, and with charming features, many fall in love with this breed. Russian tortoise diet proper food for your pet russian tortoise. My russian tortoise 15years oldwill not stick his head out from his shell. If you want to keep your tortoise indoor, i would not hibernate him. Russian tortoise for sale testudo agrionemys horsfieldii because russian tortoises for sale are a popular pet tortoise, russian tortoises are one of the most readily available tortoise species. How to hibernate a tortoise outside the box method. Tortoise club members get a special banner on their posts, unlimited gallery storage space, special offers from our sponsors, upload videos, and more.
Jun 26, 2009 dietary requirements also differ greatly among the various tortoise speciesfor example, a diet which is ideal for a redfooted tortoise would be devastating to a russian tortoise. I would not have been able to hibernate ellie if i wasnt confident that all of the right conditions and checkpoints were in place to do so. He hasnt eaten in a couple weeks and im starting to worry. Not all tortoises hibernate, however the following tortoises will hibernate. With that being said, many people do hibernate, and some dont its really a matter of choice. A tortoise that is kept as a pet should hibernate between two and four months of the year. Hes starting to eat less and sleep more, and ive heard from some websites that when they are under 5 years old that i should not hibernate them, but i dont know how to do that. When they come out of hibernation they feed voraciously in preparation for aestivation some refer to this as summer hibernation though its not really hibernation, but more like a long siesta. New posts new media new media comments new profile posts latest activity. In the wild russian tortoises hibernate up to 9 months of the year. Some tortoises will build a burrow, and in some areas may successfully hibernate themselves. I put her in her enclosure the eat and them bask and get her lighting time in. Above all, at tortoise town, we have some absolutely stunning captive bred baby russian tortoise for sale.
Stepbystep hibernation induction or winding down your tortoise for hibernation. Some of my tortoises live outdoors year round, hibernating naturally in their outdoor enclosures, with some insulation assistance from me. It lives indoors with a sun lamp on all the time, answered by a verified reptile expert we use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. The tortoise trust has an excellent website with lots of advice covering all aspects of tortoise care, for a variety of sizes and species. Then prepare a tupperware container for your tortoise as mentioned above, with holes in the lid for ventilation and kitchen roll in the bottom. House your russian tortoise in a enclosure that is big enough for the tortoise to move around in freely. Russian tortoise hibernation 2019 stepbystep instruction.
Things to remember when feeding your russian tortoise. Melissa kaplans herp care collection last updated january 1, 2014 hibernation guidelines for turtles and tortoises 1994, 2002 paula morris. It should only be done when your russian is in peak health and can be. Oct 14, 2010 should i hibernate my russian tortoise. Hes starting to eat less and sleep more, and ive heard from some websites that when they are under 5 years old that i should. Russian tortoise hibernation 2019 stepbystep instruction guide. Russian tortoise dog, cat, and pet information for pet parents. I have a russian tortoise whos been in hibernation for 4. The russian tortoise care guide horsefield tortoise. Found naturally in the dry open landscapes of aghanistan, pakistan, iran, russia, and china this tortoise is also known as the steppe tortoise, the afghanistan tortoise, the russian box turtle, and the fourtoed tortoise. My pet tortoise is wrecking my career life and style the. My problem is my new tort will eat and immediately burrow under her bedding this not getting enough time under her lights. However, even the largest female specimens rarely exceed 8 inches in length, making them easy to accommodate, regardless of gender.