Russian Tortoise information, basic care, and breeding tips

This video will go over some information about the Russian Tortoise. We also go over some basic care as well as breeding tips. Make sure to do proper research before purchasing any animal. Feel free to contact us with any more questions you have about Russian Tortoises or just turtles and tortoises in general.

[@paulh9173]

my niece is in the hospital/icu and i have been searching everywhere for factual helpful advice on russian tortoise care while she is away from home. thankyou for doing this. it has been really helpful, thankyou

[@octurtletortoise9888]

Thank you so much. I’m so glad we can help you out in these hard times! Let us know if you have any questions we can help you out with. You can dm us on our Instagram at oc.tortoise

[@hsundthhzthn985]

Hope she Is ok

[@azlobster79]

Best video on Russian tortoise I’ve seen. Very good information, thank you

[@larryg4b]

Great video and advice. My family rescued a Russian tortoise from a school that kept him in an aquarium. When we got him I built an outdoor habitat that works out real good except in the heavy rain which in the winter time will wake him from his hibernation. We now bring him indoors when the rainy season starts to avoid this. Don't like to do this because he won't hibernate and even know it is a very large tank, it seams unhappy in there. We are also in Orange County and was wondering how you handle the tortoises when the heavy rains come.

[@alwaysyouramanda]

If you have to bring them in it helps tremendously if you make sure they can’t see out of their enclosure. They’re explorers so to be able to see out and not go out stresses them out. It would also help if they can burry themselves in their bedding. We’re using topsoil and coconut bark for times we must bring them in.

[@Oblio1942]

My Russian tortoise is a funny guy. Lord Terrance will try to dig even when hes free range and has nowhere to dig, he'll go under my couch or something. What a Character!

[@kenjiro2676]

Subscribing, I plan on keeping a Russian tortoise outdoors here, I am an hour from the west coast of California.

[@apemangoape9855]

Love this video

[@jessicaoctopus420]

Thank you so much for this video I learnt a lot I am about to get my first tortoise 🤞

[@colbolt54]

Could you please do an expanded video on hatching a Russian tortoise egg.

[@dozersmom22]

Keeping one of these guys in 40 gallon breeder is animal abuse. No tortoise could thrive in something that small. They need lots of space to wander in order to help digest their food, amongst other things. I’m glad you have your tortoises in a larger outdoor enclosure. Looks like you’re doing a good job, I just hope nobody listens to the 40 gallon breeder comment. I was really glad to hear you explain the difference of wild caught vs captive bred. A lot of people don’t realize the ones in pets stores are plucked out of the wild. I hope you keep the tortoise videos coming. There aren’t a lot of knowledgeable people making tort videos on KZbin.

[@octurtletortoise9888]

I agree and we strongly push people to keep tortoises outside if conditions allow and if not to build a larger tortoises table or not get that species in the first place. We are planning to post more videos soon!

[@dozersmom22]

@@octurtletortoise9888 that’s great to hear! I am looking very forward to your future videos!! 😃

[@brayancarrillo877]

i have mine in a 2x4 im building a outdoor but i live in ny im not sure if its a good idea other than summer

[@mamabearcanada]

Thank you for an honest video , honest advices. A lot of breeders hide the info on how they hibernate, how they breed etc. I live in Vancouver Canada,its fairly warm we get lots of rain in the autumn/winter and is about +8, +2C rarely we get slight minus. I do intent and hope to breed my tortoises. I have water proof roof over their enclosure. Knowing our weather do you know if its the safe environment to keep them year round outside?

[@octurtletortoise9888]

I think your weather will be a little to cold for these guys. I recommend using some type of green house panels on there house to keep it a little bit warmer in there for them during hibernation. I would be careful dipping below the 50s (10C). If you can find away to keep there box right above that you should be fine. Make sure it stays dry because they can handle cold well but cold and wet will definitely cause some issues. A lot of hay has the nesting material in there house will help keep them a little warmer.

[@stitesa]

Can you do a video on how the size of the enclosure looks like more please? I just adopted a Russian tortoise today and need to build one ASAP. I live in Northern California. Love your videos.

[@tinhornsnow595]

Hey if this helps at all, I'd recommend keeping Russian tortoises in a 4x2 ft pen or enclosure, or larger if you can (bigger is always better)!

[@octurtletortoise9888]

Yes we will more videos are coming soon

[@kenjiro2676]

Keep them dry when it is winter. Cold + dry and protected in a burrow = good conditions for brumation.

[@alwaysyouramanda]

We actually got frost on the ground 2 winters ago! So important they can dig deep or bring them in when it’s really cold at night. If they themselves reach somewhere around 45 degrees f they can suffer blindness

[@alwaysyouramanda]

They can keep safe outside if they can burry themselves deep enough to use the ground insulation. I just bring my guys in for hibernation. They need to dig too to reach moisture. Insufficient hydration can be a cause of pyramiding too.

[@mamifelly2216]

Good

[@luizfelipelessa650]

You should make some more videos about russian tortoises, not much available

[@evitachu6573]

hey guys, i just followed you on instagram. So, you talked about the UVA and UVB light. Where do you set it up if the tortoises live outdoor?

[@colbolt54]

Can you do a video on a Russian tortoise hatching

[@Turtlezilla_54]

Do male Russian tortoises have a flat belly or a concaved belly I just would like to know

[@Frenchylikeshikes]

Do they fight? how do you keep so many together?

[@alwaysyouramanda]

My males didn’t start fighting (had them 3 years, 4 of them) till the DAY I brought two females home. I have to separate them till they have more space and hides 😭

[@retrotimewarastral1406]

Helloo, I live in SC and we get rain a lot every now and then basically our weather here is bipolar. I really want a Russian tortoise so would it be best to keep them inside or outside? Also do you know any captive breeders that safe to adopt a Russian tortoise from?

[@octurtletortoise9888]

I would recommend looking up southern reptiles. They are a breeder who works with Russians in Florida so individuals from there may handle the humidity better than others. I know keepers that have been able to keep them outside in pretty humid areas. I would make sure they have a dry house that they can escape to if it’s wet or rainy. I would also recommend keeping some sort of green house covering so rain can’t directly get to them. And have a dry more absorbent bedding that drys quickly. And if it’s really stormy I would always consider taking them in. If you buy a tortoise that was hatched anywhere local to you or in similar climates they should be better equipped to deal with higher humidity’s

[@tabsterlab5186]

You mention that you should have more than one male for successful breeding. I have an adult breeding group of 1 male and 3 females, this should work too correct?

[@octurtletortoise9888]

Yes that should for sure work and I wouldn’t recommend adding another male unless you add another female

[@kennethstephens5690]

At what age does a Russian tortoise become mature and tuck it's tail?

[@random_reptiles_2873]

I'm specialized in Breeding Redfoots this video is amazing for Russians

[@user-un2co2bv4n]

Why can’t I share this video for later reading? I need ALL THE INFORMATION I CAN GET FOR my 2 Russian tortoises. I live in Oregon State USA 🇺🇸. I’m very close to SW Washington State. Thank you. Banana and Zoey than you also.

[@veronicag81]

i live in Southern California where weather can be up to 120 degrees during summer and alot of humidity..do u think that will be a problem in keeping my russian tortoise outside.. i have it now in a 40 gallon tank inside

[@octurtletortoise9888]

No I don’t as long as you provide space for the tortoises to stay warm when it’s cool and say cool when it’s hot you should have no problem. We are located in so cal as well and all of our tortoises do exceptionally well outdoors

[@alwaysyouramanda]

They can burrow deep into the ground, maybe you can start a burrow for them-! As long as they can escape the sun and go deep enough to benefit from the cool earth below, they should thrive! Such high temps I’d keep water available, deep enough that they can submerge their behinds but with shallow edges (low slopes) so they can easily get in and out and don’t flip over onto their backs inside.

[@TheAnimalguy1996]

Where could I find an adult group of these guys?

[@octurtletortoise9888]

It’s may be pretty hard to find someone selling a group. I think it’s easier to find someone selling individual males and females and creating your own group or buying a group of young tortoise and raise them to maturity.

[@jondean56]

So you don’t recommend ice berg lettuce.Other videos say ice berg lettuce is fine.Is it ok or not.Looking forward to your opinion.thank you

[@octurtletortoise9888]

Iceberg lettuce has no nutritional value for the tortoises. It should not be feed to them as food but rather as a method for water consumption. We give our tortoises Iceberg lettuce about once or twice a month for added hydration.

[@jondean56]

@@octurtletortoise9888 OK,then that what I will do.Once a month

[@tyliful]

how big do they need to be to start breeding?

[@octurtletortoise9888]

Generally females need to be six inches or over to breed and males over four. There is also tend to reach sexual maturity close to 10 years.

[@WONDERFULREPTILES]

LIKE

[@eyshilashanell7769]

Do u think it would be okay to house a Russian tortoise outdoors in the Uk?

[@shellyhand8758]

My Russian tortoise is outside permanently & I live in the UK 🇬🇧

[@jacksonmanning7583]

Is there anyway to do two in one enclosure like a large tortoise table, like not hibernating?

[@octurtletortoise9888]

Two tortoises? It depends on the size and the dimensions

[@jacksonmanning7583]

@@octurtletortoise9888 it was going to be a around 24 square feet

[@octurtletortoise9888]

I would say that is to small for multiple tortoises. I would recommend trying to go a little bigger even for one.

[@jacksonmanning7583]

@@octurtletortoise9888 how big would you recommend even for one, want the best life for my reptile friends

[@octurtletortoise9888]

For one at the very smallest we recommend about 3x3. If you have the space we recommend making an out door enclosure. Our tortoises pen for 9 Russians is 6x12 feet. If you have the space available we can help give you some ideas on the supplies you may need to build a enclosure for outdoor tortoises. You can dm us on Instagram at oc.tortoise or email us at [e-mail].

[@jay-gx9uy]

Every article i've read and vet I've spoken with has stated do not feed iceberg lettuce

[@octurtletortoise9888]

This is as a constant food source. A little bit from time to time can help with water intake.

[@ajindel577]

I just watched a 21 minutes video and have no planes of buying one

[@ajindel577]

Here is an update. I got a russian tortoise and I named him titan after the show attack on titan. but it is funny who i said i would not get one but they are so cute.

[@haleymarie2439]

Would I be able to keep two males together? Or two females? If so does it have to be a Russian tortoise

[@octurtletortoise9888]

I would recommend not keeping males together as they may show aggression to each other. Two females would not show as much aggression to each other if kept in a lot of space. I also would never keep other species with Russian tortoises and always recommend just keeping individual species with each other

[@alwaysyouramanda]

My 4 boys did fine for 3 years but they all came from the same backyard and might even be brothers. Let me tell you though, I just brought two females home and they switched like a light on eachother. I have to keep them separated from the females till I get a bigger enclosure built with lots of obstacles and hiding spots😭

[@Falcon-sy7de]

Can I buy a couple male and female from you, please let me know. Thank you

[@octurtletortoise9888]

We don’t have any available at the moment I will let you know if we do

[@Falcon-sy7de]

@@octurtletortoise9888 please thank you

[@donna11371]

Hi can you give me the name of foods You give them unheard fruits are really no good for them is this correct and what is the names of the plants that you have . And are the organic? Where can you purchase them sorry just love you set up and like to duplicate thank you 😊

[@octurtletortoise9888]

So we feed romaine lettuce as well as mazuri tortoises diet, cactus pads, spring mix, as well has hibiscus plant that they graze on. Majority of their food can be found at the supermarket. Fruits should only be feed occasionally.

[@donna11371]

@@octurtletortoise9888 thank you for getting back to me , I appreciate the info , I do have one question there is a color pellet food in there dish is that rep-cal pellets or fluckers? I have read mixed information that it’s ok for horsefields , of course mixed with there fresh veggies and mazuri pellets just not only that . And if it is how often would you give them some .Your tortoise are so healthy so just wanted to know your thoughts, Thank you again

[@octurtletortoise9888]

The colored pellet is the repti-cal. We feed it in moderation every so often. The biggest thing I would recommend is to make sure the majority of the diet is lettuce and greens.

[@donna11371]

@@octurtletortoise9888 thank you! I do feed mainly greens , I would just like to give a little variety.

[@octurtletortoise9888]

Yes! Thornless cactus are good as well as common garden weeds and rose bushes!

[@kornygorilla1245]

Do you sell them..?

[@octurtletortoise9888]

Yes we do, we don’t have any Russians available at the moment but will have baby’s in the coming months! You can follow our Instagram at oc.tortoise to see when they are available.

[@jonathananimations2841]

Do you guys sell russian tortoise or do you know any breeders

[@octurtletortoise9888]

Yess!! We do. We breed and adopt out rescues. Message us on our Instagram for more information

[@octurtletortoise9888]

We currently have two adult male rescues available if you are interested.

[@Rflod1]

Do you leave them outside during the winter?

[@octurtletortoise9888]

Yes in the winter it stays warm enough here that they can hibernate outside

[@Rflod1]

Even when it drop into the 40s?

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

@@Rflod1 That's about when they start hibernating. I still wouldn't keep them outside in the winter due to snow. They can't really deal with it since the environments they come from are extremely dry and don't really get snow.

[@Rflod1]

@@AdamSmith-gs2dv I live in LA the temps are dropping around 45 every night I just feel like that’s too cold for them

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

@@Rflod1 It's border line, that's about when we bring ours in

[@dorothyvarga6251]

Where their water?

[@octurtletortoise9888]

The water is in the large ceramic dish near there house

[@anthonylepore516]

They are actually from Afghanistan , during the Russian Afghan war, Russian soldiers would collect them and take them back home! So technically they should have a different name due to their origin ! Just saying..

[@AlexanderTch]

Wrong. They don't live in Afganistan. Russian tortoise live in fresh water bodies - in lakes, rivers, streams, swamps. It's scientific name "Euroropean Swamp Turtle" (lat. Emys orbicularis). Lots of them live in central and southern Russia, and in asian part too. Probably people in Russia first started to use them as pets. Afghanistan is very dry and desert place. No chance to survive there for water-loving animal.

[@legovideosanimationandjust7114]

If outside will whales such as the ones in Florida kill/eat them because I live in Florida

[@stc_]

Lol

[@caiitliin]

Whales???

[@beth8095]

I don't know why that guy picked up and spun the Tortoise around ?? I have to say if you are OK with it, then you should not have them!

[@user-fw9ir4vi5k]

Put down a lot of korean and world's stock. And then d'ont raise it up~~!! I's right~!! 🐢.......,

[@executeorder6559]

I live In London but who cares