shopping list for needed supplies Russian Tortoise appropriately sized habitat testudo horsfieldi book about russian tortoises commercial russian tortoise food treats substrate food and water dishes hideaway place plants heat light heat fixture UVB lighting vitamin supplement calcium supplement thermometer humidity gauge sources Care Sheet
Ask an associate about Petco’s selection of books This small tortoise enjoys burrowing and on Russian Tortoises and the variety of Petco Brand roaming about its habitat. They can become products available for the care and happiness of your tame and friendly with gentle handling. With new pet. All Petco Brand products carry a a long life span, expect your Russian Tortoise 100% money-back guarantee. to be a companion for life.
Because all tortoises are potential carriers of infectious diseases, such as Salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your Russian Tortoise facts: tortoise and/or habitat contents to help prevent average adult size: 6 to 8 inches long the potential spread of diseases. average life span: up to 50+ years Pregnant women, children under the age of 5 with proper care and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physician before purchasing diet: herbivore and/or caring for a Tortoise and should consider Will reach adult size in 3-4 years under ideal condi- not having a Tortoise as a pet. Go to the Centers for tions; upgrade habitat size as your tortoise grows. Disease Control at cdc.gov/healthypets/ for more infor- mation about Tortoises and disease. Go to petco.com/ caresheet to download other helpful Care Sheets.
This care sheet can cover the care needs of other species. See petco.com for more information.
Note: The information in this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, please refer to the sources on the following page or contact your veterinarian as appropriate.
Developed with and approved © 2014 Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. by a qualified veterinarian. All rights reserved. (3/2015) Russian Tortoise Developed with and approved Care Sheet testudo horsfieldi by a qualified veterinarian.
diet housing substrates such as sand habitat or gravel that can scratch maintenance the shell. A well-balanced Russian • Size - indoor enclosure Thoroughly clean the habitat Tortoise diet consists of: should be at least 36”x12”; • Temperature - at least once a week: place • High fiber and calcium, outdoor enclosure should temperature gradient tortoise in a secure habitat; low in protein and fat is be at least 48”x48” with (85°F for the warm end scrub the tank and furnish- needed to ensure good a secure screened cover and 75°F for the cool ings with a 3% bleach solu- digestive tract function. to allow sunshine but end); recommend using tion; rinse thoroughly with an incandescent light or • Dark leafy vegetables, provide protection, the water, removing all traces of walls should be high ceramic heater as primary bleach smell; dry the tank squash, carrots, etc.; fruit heat source. should be given sparingly enough that the tortoise and furnishings completely as a treat. can’t escape and buried at • Lighting - providing UVB and add clean substrate. least 12” into the ground, lighting for 12-14 hours a grooming • Also benefit from as they will dig. day is required. a Russian Tortoise & hygiene • Habitat - keep habitat • Russian Tortoises can be commercial diet, but Weekly water soaks with arid and dry, with shaded kept together but do not should be no more than water level no deeper than areas to escape direct house different tortoise 25% of the diet. the mid-point between the sunlight. Humid climates species together. bottom of the tortoise’s shell feeding may need a dehumidifier, cool climates require normal and its top. supplemental heating. behavior signs of a Things to remember when Provide a hiding area, • Active, friendly and healthy animal feeding your Russian Tortoise: such as a cave or hide outgoing. • Fresh, clean, chlorine-free box filled with additional • Active and alert water should be available substrate. Maintain less • Will become tame with • Eats regularly at all times. than 30% humidity. gentle handling and time; • Healthy shell move slowly around • Feed tortoises daily; chop • Substrate - tortoises tortoises to avoid startling • Clear, bright eyes vegetables. are known for eating them. • Sprinkle food with calcium substrate, use something • Healthy skin that is digestible such as • Adept at digging to supplement daily and a • Clear nose and vent multi-vitamin supplement alfalfa pellets; substrate escape; hide in objects once or twice a week. should be deep enough and burrow into substrate. for the tortoise to • Discard vegetables and burrow. Don’t use coarse fruits not eaten within 24 hrs.
red flags common health issues
• eye, nose or mouth • abnormal feces Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action discharge • sneezing, mouth Metabolic Inability to absorb calcium Consult your exotic • soft, discolored or breathing, runny bone/vitamin due to insufficient UVB light. animal veterinarian deficiency If untreated, can lead to a and provide ample rough spots on shell nose disorder characterized by UVB lighting. deformities, softened bones, • lethargic swollen limbs and lethargy. • bumps or spots on Respiratory Labored breathing or runny Consult with your disease nose. Can be caused by cold, exotic animal skin damp habitat, or infectious veterinarian and disease. ensure appropriate heat levels. If you notice any of these signs, please contact your Ticks and mites Parasites on the skin; can Consult your exotic exotic animal veterinarian. transmit disease. animal veterinarian. Gastro- Runny stools, caked or Consult with your intestinal smeared stool around the exotic animal disease vent area, and loss of appetite veterinarian. cause by bacterial or parasitic infection.