Russian Tortoise Life Span

The Russian tortoise is an interesting pet to keep due to its small size and active character. The Russian tortoise as pets is a popular choice for kids due to its docile nature. But beware, these are excellent burrowers that can spoil your garden by digging voraciously. Let us have a look at some Russian tortoise facts after answering the questions on Russian tortoise life span.

How Long do Russian Tortoise Live?
Many people have a question regarding how long does Russian tortoise live. The Russian tortoise life span is very long and will probably live with you your entire life. The approximate Russian tortoise life span according to experts may be well over 100 years. However, most of the captive Russian tortoise on an average live up to 50 years under optimum living conditions.

Russian Tortoise Facts
The Russian tortoise is called Agrionemys horsfieldii or Testudo horsfieldii. The Russian tortoise has its own genus Agrionemys recently. However, it is still commonly referred as Testudo horsfieldii. The common names of the Russian tortoise include:

• Afghan tortoise
• Afghanistan tortoise
• Central Asian tortoise
• Four-toed tortoise
• Horsfield's tortoise
• Steppe tortoise

Russian Tortoise Habitat
The Russian tortoise habitat includes southern east Russia, eastern Iran, northwest Pakistan and Afghanistan. They usually live in dry areas that have sparse vegetation. The Russian tortoise habitat also includes the rocky and hilly areas and regions with hot summers and cold winters. They make home in abandoned animal burrows or dig their own burrows that are 2 meters long.

Russian Tortoise Availability
Russian tortoises are mostly imported to North America as the captive production is very low. When you buy a Russian tortoise, it should be assumed that it has been caught in the wild. The captive bred Russian tortoises are mostly babies and sold at a cheaper price than the imported tortoises.

Russian Tortoise Size
The main reason Russian tortoise as pets are popular as family pets is due to their size. The hatchlings are about 1 inch in carapace length. The maximum length a Russian tortoise size can reach is just 8 to 10 inches. The female Russian tortoise are a bit larger in size than the males when fully grown. The females become sexually active and produce eggs when they are about 6 inches in length. Most of the Russian tortoises imported are just about 4 to 5 inches in length that means they are young adults.

Russian Tortoise Housing
The ideal Russian tortoises housing should be an outdoor enclosure, if you live in a warm climate. The enclosure or pen should be about 2 feet by 4 feet in size. The walls should be dug at least 6 to 12 inches below the ground. This is because these tortoises are good diggers and you do not want them to escape by burrowing a hole. The Russian tortoises tend to go underground to insulate themselves especially in hot or cold climates. You can provide your pet Russian tortoise with underground hide boxes to help them maintain stable temperature and prevent them from burrowing too much.

The Russian tortoises that live in outdoor pens are active in 60º to 90ºF temperature. Anything over 100ºF is too hot for them. During winter they hibernate by digging underground before winter sets in. When kept indoors they do well at room temperature that is about 60º to 80ºF. You should provide them with a basking lamp with a temperature of about 90º to 100ºF. You should also keep a UV light source in their enclosures as it helps in processing calcium in their diets. The indoor Russian tortoises do not need to undergo hibernation. Their housing should be maintained at stable temperatures and follow a strict day and night cycle by keeping the lights on for 12 to 14 hours. Turn off the light and heat sources at night to keep the Russian tortoise healthy.

Russian Tortoise Diet
Russian tortoises are not fussy eaters and eat a variety of things. They love eating leafy green vegetables and spring mixes. You can offer them turnip greens, collard greens, kale or dark lettuce. You should provide them with clean water dishes at all times. Many times they tend to defecate in their shallow water trays while standing in them when drinking. Therefore, do not allow them to stand in and change the water several times a day.

This was some information related to Russian tortoise life span and pet care. You need to be ready to take over the responsibility of a pet that may live with you for life. These creatures will grow to a ripe old age and may serve as pets for your grandchildren. I hope this article on how long does a Russian tortoise live proves to be a useful guide for tortoise enthusiasts.