Russian tortoise

Russian tortoise
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Agrionemys horsfieldii (but see text) Homopus burnesii Testudinella horsfieldii T. h. horsfieldii Agrionemys horsfieldii Gray, 1844 Homopus burnesii Blyth, 1854 Testudinella horsfieldii Gray, 1870 Testudinella horsfieldi Gray, 1873 (ex errore) Homopus horsfieldii Theobald, 1876 Testudo baluchiorum Annandale, 1906 Medaestia horsfieldi Wussow, 1916 Testudo horsfieldi Wussow, 1916 Agrionemys horsfieldi Khozatsky & Młynarski, 1966 Agrionemys horsfieldii Młynarski, 1966 Testudo horsfieldii horsfieldii Iverson, 1992 Agrionemys horsfieldii horsfieldii Welch, 1994 Agrionemys horsfildii Rogner, 1996 (ex errore) Testudo horsfieldi horsfieldi Highfield, 1996 Agrionemys baluchiorum Vetter, 2002 Agrionemys horsfieldii baluchiorum Artner, 2003 T. h. kazachstanica Agrionemys horsfieldi kazachstanica Chkhikvadze, 1988 Testudo horsfieldii kazachstanica Iverson, 1992 Agrionemys horsfieldii kazachstanica Welch, 1994 Testudo horsfieldi kazachtanica Highfield, 1996 (ex errore) Agrionemys horsfieldii kazakhstanica Borkin, 1998 (ex errore) Agrionemys kazachstanica Perälä, 2002 Testudo horsfieldi kazachstanica Ferri, 2002 T. h. rustamovi Agrionemys horsfieldi rustamovi Chkhikvadze, 1989 (nomen nudum) Agrionemys horsfieldi rustamovi Chkhikvadze, Amiranashvili & Ataev, 1990 Agrionemys horsfieldi rustamowi Chkhikvadze, Amiranashvili & Ataev, 1990 (ex errore) Testudo horsfieldii rustamovi Iverson, 1992 Agrionemys horsfieldii rustamovi Welch, 1994 Testudo horsfieldii rustomovi Das, 1995 (ex errore) Testudo horsfieldi rustmovi Highfield, 1996 (ex errore) Testudo horsfieldii rustamov Paull, 1997 (ex errore) Agrionemys rustamovi Perälä, 2002 Testudo horsfieldi rustamovi Ferri, 2002

The Russian tortoise, Horsfield's tortoise or Central Asian tortoise Agrionemys horsfieldii, is a species of tortoise that is a popular pet. It is named after the American naturalist Thomas Horsfield.

Description

The Russian tortoise is a small tortoise species, ranging from about 13 to 25 cm, that is approximately 5-9 inches(13–20 cm for males, 15–25 cm for females). They are sexually dimorphic in that the females grow slightly larger, males tend to have longer tails generally tucked to the side, and females tend to have flared scutes on their shells, while males do not. The male has a concave bump on the bottom half of the shells so they can mount females during intercourse, while the female has a flat bottom. The mating of these tortoises usually takes 10-12 hours. Coloration varies, but the shell is usually a ruddy brown or black, fading to yellow between the scutes, and the body is straw-yellow and brown. They have four toes. They live such a long time (about 50+ years), people who keep them as pets often leave them in their wills. They are usually rather social with humans.

Care

A popular pet tortoise, Russian tortoises are one of the most readily available tortoise species. They are small, making them easy for most people with limited space to keep. They are also feisty, eager to eat and more active than some other tortoises. When allowed to burrow, Russian tortoises also have one of the highest tolerances for temperature extremes. They are one of the few species that can be kept outdoors in Las Vegas, Nevada, year round. These factors make Russian tortoises attractive for new tortoise-keepers and a fun tortoise for seasoned veterans.

Most Russian tortoises are imported into the United States. Compared to the number of imported tortoises, captive production of this species is relatively low. You should assume that most adult or subadult Russian tortoises for sale are imported. Captive-bred babies are rarely raised to adult size and sold at the low prices that these imported Russian tortoises sell for. Russian tortoise hatchlings measure about 1 inch in carapace length. As they mature, they reach a maximum length of 8 to 10 inches. Females are normally a little larger than males at full size. When females are about 6 inches long, they are large enough to begin producing eggs.

Russian tortoises are almost always imported as young adults between 4 and 5 inches in carapace length. These tortoises are large enough to handle subprime conditions during shipping but small enough to fit many in a fixed-size shipping crate. Russian tortoises larger than about 6 inches long can be difficult to find. Russian tortoises can live more than 40 years. Raised on a lean, high-fiber diet, captive-raised animals in low-stress environments have higher life expectancies.

Cages

The preferred method for raising Russian tortoises is an outdoor enclosure in a warmer climate. Pens for one or two adults should be at least 2 feet by 4 feet. Enclosure walls should be set into the ground 6 to 12 inches to prevent the tortoises from digging under the sides, and they should be 12 inches or higher above ground. Russian tortoises are burrowers. They tend to dig into corners and against objects. Placing large rocks under the soil in the corners helps prevent tortoises from digging out. In higher or lower temperatures, they attempt to go underground to insulate themselves from the extremes. Building Russian tortoises underground hide boxes that maintain more stable temperatures helps to keep them from burrowing too much. Shaded grassy areas that get regular water help to keep smaller tortoises cool. Russian tortoises are sure to try to eat any plant accessible to them in their pens. They prefer wide-leafed plants and weeds. They really do not eat grass unless they are out of options. Check all plants in the enclosure to ensure they are safe. Russian tortoises housed indoors can be caged in large plastic bins, stock tanks or small plastic pools. One to two adults can be kept in an enclosure measuring at least 5 square feet, with sidewalls 8 inches or higher. More space is much better. Babies can get away with smaller housing. Tortoises kept in small enclosures become restless and spend much of the day trying to get out of the enclosures. Many different substrates can be used. Using only sand makes running around somewhat difficult for the tortoises, whereas mixing soils helps to solidify the foundation. Large, flat rocks can help file down the tortoises’ nails and give them a clean surface for food. Russian tortoises also enjoy climbing, so try to provide an enclosure that gives them that opportunity.

Lighting and Temperature

Russian tortoises living outdoors and allowed to dig burrows are very capable of taking care of themselves as far as temperatures are concerned. Russian tortoises can handle high temperatures only if they can get underground where it’s cooler. Keeping any tortoise on an outdoor patio or anything above ground when it’s over 100 degrees is too hot for them. Russian tortoises are most active when temperatures are between 60 and 90 degrees, but they remain active during the cooler parts of the day in midsummer, or they sleep underground in a burrow. Russian tortoises hibernate underground during the winter if they are allowed some time to dig a burrow before cold temperatures set in. Most tortoises bed down at various times during the fall and come out of hibernation in mid-February. Indoors, Russian tortoises can be maintained at normal room temperatures: 68 to 80 degrees. They should also have access to an area heated by an overhead light. This spot should be in the 90- to 100-degree range. Like most diurnal, herbivorous reptiles, they need a UVB light in their indoor enclosures to help them properly process the calcium in their diets. These tortoises can handle nighttime temperatures into the low 50s without a problem. Russian tortoises do not need to hibernate to be healthy, so tortoises kept indoors and maintained at stable temperatures will never skip a beat while winter winds below outside. Keep lights on 12 to 14 hours a day, and turn off all light and heat sources at night.

Diet

Russian tortoises are enthusiastic eaters, and the destruction they wreak on the plants in most outdoor enclosures is proof of this. They prefer broadleaf weeds and eagerly eat almost any leafy greens or vegetables offered to them. Regularly use spring mixes, which have several leafy ingredients in them. We supplement with kale, collared greens, turnip greens and any of the darker lettuce types. Variety is the key, and for their size, these tortoises do some serious eating. It is wise to plant many different types of safe, leafy weeds in their outdoor enclosures in the spring. It might also be useful to partition off parts of the enclosure to allow plants to recover, and rotate the tortoises’ access to the separate areas. We also plant grasses, clovers and various other safe plants throughout the enclosure. If given full access to all available space, they will almost surely eat the plants down to nothing by midsummer.

Water and Hydration

Russian tortoises can have small water dishes in their outdoor enclosures. Many use shallow, low sided dishes that are glazed to make cleaning easy. Cleaning needs to be done on a regular basis, as most tortoises tend to soak in their dishes and “dirty” them while they’re in there. One can provide water bowls during the hottest parts of the year, but it is recommended not to during cooler times. Tortoises living in areas with regular rainfall drink from puddles and leaves. If they live in areas with prolonged dry periods, such as Las Vegas, offering them water helps to keep them hydrated. When Russian tortoises are housed indoors, most prefer not to have standing water in the bowls because they tend to defecate in them while soaking. In shallow water, the tortoises usually begin drinking immediately and flush their systems at the same time. They can be soaked outside the enclosure in shallow water once or twice a week for 15 to 30 minutes to get them fully hydrated. Babies and juveniles tend to dry out much quicker than larger, more established tortoises. Because of this, baby Russian tortoises should be soaked in shallow water up to three times a week, for 10 to 15 minutes, whether they’re housed outdoors or indoors.

Health

For best results, purchase an alert, active Russian tortoise with bright, clean eyes, or buy one from a reputable source that will guarantee at least a live arrival. These tortoises can suffer from most common reptile health problems, but parasites and respiratory infections are probably the most common. Although one of the more hardy tortoise species, wild-caught Russian tortoises usually have internal parasites. These parasites are not a huge burden on the animals in the wild, but when tortoises are confined to a small area and they endure the additional stresses of importation, the parasites can build up their numbers to levels potentially deadly to the tortoise. Taking a fresh fecal sample to a reptile veterinarian can get you some idea of the types of parasites present, their numbers and the drugs needed to treat them. Russian tortoises can also be prone to respiratory infections if they are kept in cool or wet enclosures. They need to be able to dry out, particularly if temperatures are low.

Handling and Temperament

Contrary to what many sellers tell customers, tortoises generally should not be handled with any regularity. They are easily stressed when overhandled, and children tend to drop them when spooked. These stress factors can lead to a decline in a tortoise’s activity levels and health. Adult Russian tortoises are generally more resistant to handling, but all tortoises should be handled carefully. Avoid pinning them down or restricting them. Allow them to carry on with their intended ways.

Systematics

This species is traditionally placed in Testudo. Due to distinctly different morphological characteristics, the monotypic genus Agrionemys was proposed for it in 1966. Today, Agrionemys horsfieldii is currently being accepted. DNA sequence analysis generally concurs, but not too robustly so. Some sources also list three separate subspecies of Russian tortoise, but they are not widely accepted by taxonomists:

• T. h. horsfieldii (Gray, 1844) – Afghanistan/Pakistan and southern Central Asia
• T. h. kazachstanica Chkhikvadze, 1988 – Kazakhstan/Karakalpakhstan
• T. h. rustamovi Chkhikvadze, Amiranschwili & Atajew, 1990 – southwestern Turkmenistan

References

Species Testudo horsfieldii at The Reptile Database

• da Nóbrega Alves, Rômulo Romeu; da Silva Vieira; Washington Luiz & Gomes Santana, Gindomar (2008): Reptiles used in traditional folk medicine: conservation implications. Biodiversity and Conservation 17(8): 2037–2049. doi:10.1007/s10531-007-9305-0 (HTML abstract, PDF first page)
• Fritz, Uwe; Kiroký, Pavel; Kami, Hajigholi & Wink, Michael (2005): Environmentally caused dwarfism or a valid species - Is Testudo weissingeri Bour, 1996 a distinct evolutionary lineage? New evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear genomic markers. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 37: 389–401. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2005.03.007
• Khozatsky, L.I. & Mlynarski, M. (1966): Agrionemys - nouveau genre de tortues terrestres (Testudinidae). Bulletin de l'Académie Polonaise des Sciences II - Série des Sciences Biologiques 2: 123-125.
• Template:IUCN2006 Listed as Vulnerable (VU A2d v2.3)
• Alderton, D.: Turtles and Tortoises of the World. New York, New York: Facts on File, 1988.
• Ernst, C. H. and Barbour, R. W.: Turtles of the World. Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1989.
• Highfield, A. C.: Keeping and Breeding Tortoises in Captivity. Avon, England: R & A Publishing, 1990.
• Obst, F. J.: Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins. St. Martin's Press, New York, 1988.
• Pritchard, P. C. H.: Encyclopedia of Turtles. Neptune City, New Jersey: T.F.H. Publications. 1979.
• Pursall, B.: Mediterranean Tortoises. Neptune City, New Jersey: T.F.H. Publications, 1994.
• Wahlquist, H.: Horsfield's tortoise, Agrionemys horsfieldii. Tortuga Gazette 27(6): 1-3, June 1991.

External links

• Russian (Horsfield's) Tortoise Care Information
• TurtleTimes - Online Resource for Tortoises and Turtles
• Russian Tortoise
• Russian (Horsfield's) Tortoise Information
• Russian Tortoise care sheet
• Russian Tortoise Basic Care & Insight
• Testudo /Agrionemys horsfieldii
• Pictures, Images and Photos
• Photo