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Russian
Tortoise
Testudo horsfieldii
(1844, Gray) |
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| general
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| description |
One of the most popular
pet tortoises in Europe for many years. A hardy and small
tortoise that has a round carapace and the color is from
olive to black. It is tough, and has a high tolerance
of extreme temperatures. Its forelimbs have well developed
claws with 4 toes per foot. |
| a.k.a |
Four-toed tortoise, Steppe
tortoise, Horsfield's tortoise, Afghan tortoise, Central
Asian tortoise |
| distribution |
 
 
Kazakhstan, Russia, from the eastern shores of the Caspian
Sea to Lake Zaysan; northern Iran; Afghanistan; Pakistan;
and Xinjiang Province, People's Republic of China.
code : AF, IR, PK, SU |
| adult
size |
7" - 8" carapax length |
| hatchling
size |
1.5" - 2" carapax
length |
| life
span |
approx. 25 years |
| subspecies |
horsfieldi, kazakhstanica |
| housing |
| natural
habitats |
Terrestrial; sandy steppes,
rocky and hilly terrain, hillsides or under overhanging
stones |
| cage
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Cage should be large instead
of tall since it does not climb much. (e.g. Wooden
Terrarium, Glass
Terrarium) |
| substrate |
Soil, gravel, sand (e.g.
Repti Sand, Calci-Sand),
Cypress or eucalyptus mulch, barks (e.g. Repti
Bark, Coconut
Bark), compressed paper granules (e.g. Good
Mews)
Since it digs, the depth of substrate should be at least
2" - 4" |
| activity
period |
 Daytime (diurnal);
12
- 14 hours each day with direct natural sunlight or UV
lamp (e.g. ReptiSun 5.0,
UV Heat Bulb) |
| temperature |
30 - 35 ¢XC -- basking
spot (e.g. Basking
Spot Lamp)
26 - 28 ¢XC -- cooler area (e.g. Daylight
Blue Bulb)
24 - 26 ¢XC -- at night (e.g. Nightlight
Red Bulb, Infrared
Heat Lamp, Ceramic
Heat Emitter) |
| humidity |
low |
| water
dish |
Optional. A small water
dish (e.g. Rock water
dish) can be left in the cage sometimes but not all
the time |
| hiding
place |
Optional. Possibllites
include caves (e.g. Habba
Hut, Heat Cave), etc |
| diet |
| diet |
Herbivorous |
| primary
food |
Grass, Dark Leafy Greens
(e.g. dandelions, mustards, collards, turnips, kales),
Box Turtle & Tortoise
Food , Tortoise Formula
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| occasional
food |
Pricky Pears, Carrots,
Apples (with skin), Peaches, Berries, Squashes, Beans
(with skin), Peas (with skin), Almonds |
| never
feed on |
Animal matter, Very Juicy
Fruits, Tomatos, Bananas, Cabbages, Cucumbers, Bok Choy,
Iceberg Lettuces, Rhubarbs, Broccoli, etc |
| notes |
high fibre, high calicum
and low protein diet will ensure good digestive tract
function and smooth growth |
| reproduction |
| reproduction
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Oviparous |
| mating
age |
from 11 - 15 years |
| incubation |
75 - 90 days |
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