Russian tortoise, is actually a species which is often used as a pet.

My pet Russian tortoise Gus was out to play and ending up showing how strong he is by pulling a toy car that is bigger than him.

A single Russian Tortoise should be provided with an enclosure that is a minimum of 2’x4’. You can use soil or sand as the substrate, making certain that it is deep enough for your pet to burrow. The enclosure should not be see-through, as your tortoise will try to get to the other side of the glass. Also be sure that the enclosure is secure, as these tortoises can escape by digging.

During winter hibernation, Russian tortoises seem to know how far down they need to burrow in order to remain safely below the “danger zone” in regard to temperatures. We notice ours adjusting and moving around in their outdoor enclosures during the winter, probably in an effort to stay comfortable in the cold temperatures.
Like almost all species of tortoises, A. horsfieldii faces many threats in the wild, including habitat destruction, competition with grazing animals for food, and collection for the pet trade. Fortunately for the Russian tortoise, it has a massive range, so the entire wild population isn’t at risk to the degree many other species with smaller ranges are.

Russian Tortoise Care Sheet - Reptiles Magazine Russian Tortoise Care Tips - Reptiles Magazine

Turtles and Tortoises are beloved pets in households the world over. Is there any one of us who hasn’t wanted a shelled pet at one point in our lives? Unfortunately, most species have care requirements that make keeping them as pets unrealistic for many of us. Water turtles require aquatic setups that can be time consuming and expensive, and most of the common pet land turtles/tortoises grow to be quite large and as a result, require very large enclosures. Luckily there are a few of species out there can live happily in a relatively small, terrestrial setup, and one of our favorites is the Russian Tortoise, which we are celebrating this month at Scales ‘N Tails!The basics:
Despite their immense popularity, tortoises are delicate captives, and not recommended for the inexperienced keeper. The plucky Russian Tortoise, however, while not an “easy pet”, is a good choice for serious folks with some experience keeping other terrestrial turtles under their belts.It is found in Afghanistan, Northern Pakistan, Northern and Eastern Iran, North Western China and the Soviet territory Kazakhstan. Most Russian Tortoises found in the pet trade are from the territory of . Its habitats are dry open landscapes. It is most commonly found in sand and clay deserts with sparse grasses and bushes. Russian tortoises are rarely found in dense grassy areas or cultivated fields (Paraskiv,1956; Kuzmin, 2001). Finally, we wouldn’t be doing our Animal of the Month justice if we didn’t make it an affordable pet option. So for the month of November, while supplies last, we will have Russian Tortoises available for the unbeatable price of $69.99! These guys typically sell for $120 or more, so if you’re interested in a new pet tortoise, there has never been a better time to get one!