All About Russian Tortoises!
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- čas přidán 15. 10. 2022
- Various species of tortoise have "gone mainstream" across the globe when it comes to the trade involved with them. Sulcata, red foot, leopard, Hermann's and even elongated tortoises have shown up in collections, rescues and pet expos in large numbers but one tortoise really seems to take the cake, especially here in the United States. The Russian or Horsfield's tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) has been a long time favorite in herpetoculture and its size, personality and climate tolerance prove why. Sadly, Russian tortoises are ripped out of their native lands and shipped to other countries for the demanding pet trade at significant numbers and this has gone on for what seems like forever. They are now listed as vulnerable by the IUCN and surely will make it to at least threatened in the coming years. Regardless, they are here to stay as they remain one of, if not the most heavily traded and kept tortoise species. At Garden State Tortoise we take in Russian tortoise rescues more than any other tortoise species. They're a bulldozer of a tortoise, full of charisma and people just LOVE them. Unfortunately, many keepers don't provide for them properly so in this video we cover that, proper identification and even a little bit about their flight to the moon.....yes, the MOON.
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However you made it here, thank you and welcome to Garden State Tortoise. Garden State Tortoise is home to hundreds of animals from all around the world. We are a family dedicated to adventure, conservation of wildlife, and all things nature. We are a reptile rescue and breeding facility for more than ten years, offering refuge to those who need it, and working everyday to protect the beautiful world of reptiles in any way we can. Here on our CZcams channel you will be able to join us on our animal adventures while learning how to care for, protect, properly identify, feed and even breed many species of turtle, tortoise, snake and lizard. We even work with frogs and salamanders! We hope you enjoy our videos and help us share them with the world so we can continue to educate people of all ages about herpetology.
Chris and Casey Leone
I used to love my grandmother's tortoise when I was a kid, after it died she bought a Russian tortoise for me, he's been with us for 17 years already
Wow nice! Thanks for watching.
Great pet owners, they become family
The only reason I have a Russian Tortoise is because I found him out wandering around the City. 10 years later, he's still a very healthy guy and has grown to be very social with people!
Glad he’s well!
Does he have a name? I suggest Boris.
Lucky you 😍
@@MultiPetercool my dad had a tatantula when I was a baby, he named it Boris.
Later when I was a teenager, he bought another tarantula, a rose hair and named it Boris as well.
You have been a very good parent to that wayward 🐢 tortoise.
I have a Russian tortoise male. He is very sociable and knows his name. He wakes up in the morning when he hears us and looks for us from his terrarium. He comes over to us when we put our hands in and sniffs our hands and touches them with his front feet. He then proceeds to climb us our arms. He loves to sit on me and when I let him out and run around the kitchen, when I call him, he comes to me! He is like a little puppy dog! I am totally amazed with my little guy and love him dearly. I have had him for a couple of years now and he seems to be doing great! Thank you for your videos and for all of your great information! I was wondering though, is it normal for a tortoise to come to you when you call his name? I think this is very unusual for a reptile. But if you could let me know that would be awesome!
I don't know if it's normal but I've had my male Russian tortoise for almost 11 years now and he does this too!!
Mine too! He’s so lovey dovey!
My Tortoise knows his name and he looks for me he’s super cute ❤
My sister and her boyfriend have a Russian tortoise, "Boris," who they "inherited" from his irresponsible sister who had gotten him at PetSmart and abandoned him. He lives with a lot of enrichment and goes on walks in the neighborhood with them. It has made me really love the Russian tortoise (he's such a bulldozer!), and your videos have been a treat to learn about all of these amazing creatures and how to best care for them. As a veterinary professional, I know how important husbandry is to the health and welfare of all animals, and your videos really bolster this cause. I'm sorry for going on so long (I think that this is literally my first CZcams comment ever), but I really appreciate everything you do! 🐢
I have a partially western Herman’s tortoise that we “saved” from a breeder that had him in horrible conditions but he’s happy and healthy with us and our other tortoise (we live in Scotland)
Nice thank you for saving him!
Is he a mix between boettgeri and hermani ? These people breeding these two species make me so angry ! 😤
Partially?
They're so cute trying to walk while you're holding them 😊
Also, A+ tort wrangling. These little guys do *not* sit still unless they're basking or sleeping. Which is also something to consider when keeping one indoors full or part time. If you're not okay with constant clunking and scraping, this is not the indoor pet for you.
Thanks! Yes, definitely a good point.
Mine loves her blanket--and my MyPillow! If I have her snuggled in her blanket, she'll scoot up to my pillow, and fall asleep or just doze for hours beside me while I watch CZcams or read a book!
But if she 's not comfy in her blankly, she'll definitely bang around the sides of her enclosure, the walls of the room I'm letting her wander, or shove everything aside so she can hide in some random corner.
Mine so far doesn't do much clunking, it's usually only when he's in the mood to rearrange the substrate in his enclosure which is once every few weeks. Scratching he usually does before he goes to bed for the night, he'll just go to the corner and scratch for a few minutes and then goes into his den. I don't know why he only does it in a corner, even when he's out in our yard he will go to the corner of the house, garage, the fence or even planting boxes and just scratch at it for a bit when he's getting sleepy. It's kinda cute. Still amazed at how quickly he came out of his shell so to speak when we first got him. We saw him at the store for four weeks just looking depressed, we couldn't take it anymore and bought him and the moment he left the store, he perked right up and everyday since he's been showing more and more of his personality. Never got phased by the cats constantly checking him out when inside or the chickens checking him out when he's outside. Though our Red eared slider did throw a tantrum when he first saw him across the room. Yes our red eared slider throws temper tantrums like a child. He will swim around really fast in a fit moving everything he can, tossing rocks around and then gives you a dirty look after.
Just adopted our first Russian tortoise this year. She is so fun!
Awesome good luck with her!
Any time you feel overwhelmed?
What a great life living with all those crazy turtles & Tortoises!!!
Awsome!!!!!!
Thank you so much for showing your love for a tortoise that can so often be overlooked. I have 2 male captive bred Russians and love them so much, so full of personality but both have very different personalities.
Chris and Casey, your content is always very inspiring and informative, even for experienced keepers/breeders! Thanks for another outstanding video!
Thank you so so much!!!
Her most common name here in Germany is four-toed tortoise.
Wonderful video! As I keep a bunch of "russians" for more than 37 years here in Germany, I have an important information which is missing in your video. The males are, reaching adultness, really aggressive against females and, even more, against other male tortoises. I have to sepparate them from each other, otherwise they will injure each other heavily. This is a factor everyone should be aware of, if someone is going to get this species.
Great point and thank you!
Nice video!! I would like to see more russian tortoise videos🐢
Sounds good thanks!
@GardenStateTortoise yes, me too please. Especially for my little Russian Andres Tartuggo
Excellent video! You are an accomplished speaker; comfortable and confident and the information you casually offer is excellent. Thank you both so much!
Thanks Beverley!
Finally!!! I waiting for this video on your channel for many years!!! Thank you!!! You make a big, amazing job 👍👍👍
Thank you!
I have 6 hosrfieldii, most of them adopted from bad conditions. In Poland it is the most popular species, sold cheaply many years ago at marketplaces. Many tortoises lived (or still living) on slippery floors, eat fruit, vegetables and lettuce, without access to the sun, UVB, digging or hibernating in proper conditions. It's a bit better now, I'm trying to educate people on forums etc., so I'm sharing this movie wherever I can :)
Wow, thank you for watching and good luck with yours!
Was hoping you would do a video on these lovely animals. Our male is a real character and we want to build him a better outdoor enclosure, your video really helpful. Also really appreciate you reminding viewers to only buy captive bred. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Jon!
I love the property you have I have two acres here in Illinois with a creek and a pond I don't use that for my tortoises because of course it's big water and you don't use that for what I have Russians and a sulcata and one red foot they're all pets and very individuals they have wonderful personalities and my red foot will even come when I call his name no matter where he is he's free ranging in the house cuz he's not that big he's like 13 in the Russians are in their own habitats and so far so kind of just came in from being outside so he'll go down to the lower level no have that whole run of the whole lower level of the house for his winter abode
I would love a video like this about the Hermann's tortoise! Lots of great information 🙂
We just did one on them: czcams.com/video/e_a5f0nRyuw/video.html
@@GardenStateTortoise huh idk how I missed that one. I'm a subscriber and on your Facebook. Slipped through somehow. I will watch it for sure ☺️
Fantastic video!! So informative and such a great help for keepers!
Thank you guys!!!
Wow! How interesting! In Russia we usually call this amazing creature Mediterranean/Greek/Caucasian tortoise and it was mind blowing to know how you call it in America.
I often met these wonderful walking rocks in the mountains near Gelendzhik and Novorossiysk, at the shore of the Black Sea. Always so cute and friendly! They often feast on ripe fermented dogberries that fall on the ground in autumn and wander around forest trails.
Where do you live?
He literally said “in Russia”
What you see there is Testudo ibera nikolskii.
NO. NOT AT ALL. Actually greek tortoise is completely another species, same with Mediterranean.
"MIDDLE-ASIAN Tortoise". The most common name for the russian tortoise in Russia, Ukraine etc. is "MIDDLE-ASIAN Tortoise". This is the official name, it uses even in gerpetology literature.
Thank you so much for your video. I have learn a lot from your channel . I only had my Russian tortoise for three month but I love him so much ! He gives me so much joy and the best part is he will take a nap on my lap while I am reading a book .
Thank you!!
They are a beautiful species, and remind me of little tanks when young. I’m so glad you are able to bring the rescues back to good health.🖤🇨🇦
Thanks Tamarra!
Omg amazing video. I want to live in your garden. Thank you so much xxxx
Thanks Jane!
Awesome video. I think i say this everytime I comment, you are made for CZcams and TV! Great info, great edit. Fantastic content as usual 👏
Thank you thank you thank you!!
Excellent video, very informative. Those tortoises are so cute.
Thanks David!
Great video you can definitely tell your education with tortoises and turtles is second to none 👍
Thank you SO much 🙏🏻
There are very few people in the scene and tortoise world of your capability and of course will to show, compare, explain as profound and informative as you do ... greetings from Stuttgart
Thank you SO very much 🙏🏻
This is so helpful - I am a social worker and often help people with the care or relinqishment of a pet. I now know more about our turtle friends and will pay closer attention to their care and welfare. Do you have a book on the care and housing of turtles/tortoises?
Glad it helps! I have not written a book at this point yet. Unfortunately most of the books out there on their care are outdated.
I find your videos, besides being consistently entertaining, are wonderfully informative. I never knew turtles, Terrapins, tortoises are real personalities, and even can be pets. I really have learned about reptiles.
Thank you Katie!
Best tortoise breed to my opinion. I have 2 rescues. 🥰
Your horsfield tortoises look amazing 😍
Thanks! 🐢
@@GardenStateTortoise am i an ahole for buyin a baby sulcata
So adorably derpy! 💗
I have a Russian tortoise that i hibernate outside and I live in Indiana it's always nice to walk out to look at the garden and seeing her there
🙂Love them. Great video👍👍
Thank you Ross 👍🏻
A friend of mine just got one of these guys, i'm going to share this with her! Now I want a Tortoise!
I rescued my Li'l russie, Morla, from a Petsmart surrender. She was so sick from incorrect care, she had to be hospitalized and part of her shell is permanently damaged from an infection. But she is all better now and truly the love of my pet life! ❤
Glad she is well!
@@GardenStateTortoise I loved seeing your little guys! I can't believe how tiny the boys are!
Ours is a PetSmart surrender too. We kept seeing him for weeks just looking miserable. He never moved from this one spot, just stayed there like a depressed lump. So we said to hell with it and bought him. He perked right up the moment we left with him. He's been happy ever since. Even knows his name, Jack Burton. I named him that as he would stop and look at me everytime I said that name. Didn't respond to anything else. Funny enough the first thing he did when he came home was check out his new enclosure and then slept for 12 to 14 hours. Next day he ate like a pig and then soaked in his water bowl. After that he was climbing, rearranging his substrate.
Thanks so much! I've been rescuing russian torts for a few years now here in TN. I have a 20ft and some change enclosure. I keep them outside year round, but I always get nervous around this time of year. I don't have any cold frames, but I have a bunch of structure, logs, and hides that I consistently pile leaves in and on top of. I'm sure they'll be fine, but this video makes me want to get a few cold frames and put them in.
Awesome glad it may give you an idea or two. Thanks for rescuing them!
Hello! First of all, thank you for your wonderful and informative videos. I have a question: we live in Europe and access to private open space is very limited here. However, my wife and I would really love to have two pet tortoises. Which species is the best in your opinion to keep indoors? I was thinking Testudo Kleinmanni but they are very difficult to find and extremely expensive. Any other species that you could recommend for indoors keeping?
Thak you for telling me all of this information...I loved the around the moon information,.
Thanks James!
My Russian Tortoise and I thank your for all your videos and especially this one!
With love to your channel from Russia :З
Thank you!!
I so enjoyed learning about the Russian tortoise and the differences. Learning about different speices is something I always look forward too. Thank you for sharing them with us.
GOD BLESS 🐢💖🐢💖🐢💖
As always, thank you Lois!
Our Bongo recently disappeared from her habitat outside. Probably a cat or owl took her. Loved that little guy. She was pretty big and heavy, too. I hope that somehow she will appear in the spring....
She might have dug down into the ground make sure you check every week and see that she doesn't reappear cuz she could have done that
Did she ever reappear?
Yep! dug herself under one of the big grass bushes. Bad spot because it gets watered and she was all wet. She recovered totally fine! @@honeyxd3267
YES! I've been waiting for this video for a while. Russian torts have the best personalities . . . when they're not under things.
Haha yep! Thanks!
Russian tortoise: the galaxies most famous species haha
Thank you, great video
Thank you for watching!
i got my russian tortoise from my grandpa after he died, idk how old he is he might be older than me lol. i live in an apartment so i dont have a nice big space for him right now, but i like to take him on walks in the complex
Love all your videos, thank you for all the educational content! You guys are awesome! I have a pet Russian Tortoise, I was only able to find one video on you tube that discusses how to estimate age, they state that you count the number of lines on their back and divide by 2, and that is the approximate age. However, our "Greg" went from 4 lines to 8 lines in about 13 months, any thoughts on how to accurately estimate their age?
Thanks Michael! Yeah unfortunately what they’re suggesting isn’t really reliable and that’s because turtles and tortoises can grow multiple rings in one year.
Chris, I am getting one soon. I plan to keep her indoors. Do you have any additional advice for me? Should i keep the substrate deep? How deep?
The best video to see a very cute turtle! ! I'd like to keep it in the same game someday!！❤🐢❤
Thank you!
I have my Russian tortise max about 7 or 8 years got him from Petco he's the coolest turtle ever he knows when iam coming to him I let him out some times seem like he knows my voice thank you for sharing he's in a plastic container big north for him enjoy your day and God bless y'all Amen
Good luck with him!
Do you have a link to that cold frame? I need something like that to grow food for mine in winter. 🤔
I found mine about a year ago in California while driving down the street. He was crossing the road lol
I just brought one yesterday, and I gave it a bath. And it started making hissing noise. Is it something I need to be afraid of. Because now I’m scared of him….lol
Almost all tortoises hear such usually because they get startled or they're afraid of you for some reason they'll get over it
I live in Alaska so my little guy is indoor s. Hes a little feisty
i live in Alaska too and i really want a russian tortoise. How big is your enclosure?
I love the taxonomic and etymological discussion at the beginning.
Amazing how hardy they are despite being cold blooded!
Thank you!
The turtle/tortoise he caught from the bushes:AAAæ
Your videos help a lot!
Can you also make a video about leopard tortoises somewhen?
Surely.
거북이 너무 귀여워 😍
💕
Interesting thanks again for sharing. My first tortoise i had as child was a russian tortoise he was one tough dude .
Thanks Jennifer!
Thankyou for this video I've been asking for one on the Horsfield's. I have a female 5 yrs, just under 1kg. In her outside pen I dug out and lined it with rat proof mesh before adding soil, knowing their burrowing capabilities!! I would be interested in the future video mentioned concerning sub-species, as I'd like to pin point my girl's.
Nice job! It’ll be very tough to do a video on the subspecies since you can’t really pin them like you can with Hermann’s and Greeks. People will claim otherwise but in the end, unless they’ve done genetic work and are legitimately in the wilds of their native lands where they can point something out that is constant with every animal in a population, there’s no way to be completely sure.
I got my big female because she was found wandering down the street in a local neighborhood. She's very outgoing and friendly. I love her bunches❤ and bought a male too. It would be great if they were to breed since numbers for these guys are declining.
Nice video! Quick question, I have three box turtles, all of them were rescued due to health/other problems, one of mine is a female Eastern box turtle, for some reason every year she refuses to hibernate. She stayed out last year in frozen water and almost died. So I have to cover her in leaves and hope she would be ok, now she’s doing to again, do you know why that is?
Thanks Colsen. That’s a tough one to assess but I know what you’re referring to as far as the behavior goes. It seems as though ones like this have some kind of disconnect and fail to respond to the seasonal trigger. I don’t know why it happens but I would suggest keep doing what you’re doing for her.
I would bring her inside of she refuses to hibernate she's going to kill herself
I rescued my tort from someone who literally would have killed it within a year... he could barely walk... now he's runs around for hours 👍
That’s so great to hear that ❤
When housing the two male russian indoors what size tank and what substrate is best for them?
Hi! I am struggling to understand this. I am in hot Los Angeles and my Russian tort Abe is outside. This is my first time raising tort. I have been doing a lot of reading… everything is so confusing. Some said I should brumate Abe in the fridge. Some said I should build “night box”… not sure if that means for sleeping bed only? Some said I should have it inside all winter if I don’t want to brumate…. But I have no space inside the house…. Do you have any advice for a tort who lives in LA?
My sister’s children have a tortoise. I never thought much about him before but I wonder if he’s a Russian Tortoise. He looks like that and loves everybody. Even the dogs. He likes to be warm and he loves strawberries and running around the house and climbing. He’s cute.
What small tortoise would you recommend for a pet?
The two pair we have along with a Redfoot or two have to best personalities! Actually our newest Hermanns is pretty personable too...but the Russians even though im certain they were wild caught are surprisingly pretty cool😊
Dude i also have a russian tortoise, And hes so CUTE!!!!!
He ha a skull deformity, but that's the thing, ONE SIDE OF HIS FACE IS SMILING!
Hi! I've had my Russian box tortoise for 5 years now. He is currently in an 8x2, but I recently learned that 6x4 is the minimum enclosure size for them. I plan to set up a 9x6 outdoor enclosure for him to keep him outside in the summer, but live in Ohio so I feel the need for a better indoor setup too, considering he'll be inside for about half the year. He's in my reptile room and I can't put him anywhere else in the house without getting rid of our sofa or my bed 😅 Would a 10x2 zen habitats be okay? I'm torn between putting him in a zen habitats or building him a 9x3 because my carpenting skills aren't the best. I'm having enclosure crisis over here 😅
I have a russian tortoise myself very easy to to take of in my opinion
I have a russin tortoise that will always be my little baby I love Jonny to death he is the highlight of my day!
Steppe tortise im stuck!!
Great Video. Another species which looks similar is Testudo graeca armeniaca. some scientists believe they are closer related.
I got red foots I think I want a pair of these
This is a beautiful video I would love to see a video like this but with Egyptian tortoises
Thanks! We actually did one not too long ago!
Hey can you do a video on how to over winter Russian tortoises outside? I live in South Carolina and wanna keep my Russian outside all year but I’m nervous bc it drops down 35-40 at night around 70-60 in day and at what point should I take my salcuta inside?
Is it goes below 70° a sulcata should come inside for that duration of that time if you're North Carolina you shouldn't have any problem putting them inside and outside unless it's real super big black - 85 lb I'm in Illinois so I have to bring him in when fall comes and he stays until probably May
Commenting to help with the algorithm
Thank you!
My babies!
Not all imported Horsfields' are wild caught. For example an Uzbek company called Zoocomplex breeds and exports them. Such a tortoise should come with CITES and/or Custom's papers, however.
Good point. Thanks for the info.
If you'd told Otis was from space, I'd believe you!
I’ve owned a russian tortoise for over 2 years now, I’m really happy with her (at least i think it’s a girl) She even recognises me when I come up to her pen!
I love my two Russian tortoises lol 😂 they’re sturdy and hilarious and love to eat!
Haha awesome!
Temperature requirements and size is why I only recommend this species as a pet for kids.
I'm getting my 1st this summer and I've already set up his habitat and like my other 3 turtles he will be kept indoors. Question can two be kept together in pairs because I'm getting conflicting stories when it comes to same sex pairs. I also did my research on what they can eat and require to live a long and healthy life and since I live alone will be the only one handling them.
I would like to know do you sell any hatchling ..
My biology teacher has a russian tortoise as the class pet! His name is Merlin, she got him from another teacher in the school
He's a very friendly guy, he likes getting scratches on his shell with a toothbrush heheh
Great video! I feel there is enough Russian Tortoises circling in the pet trade whereas they should rely on captive bred individuals at this point as wild populations are going to be decimated. Takes a long time for turtle populations to go back up. Also love the flowerback box turtle shirt!
Thanks Dan! Totally agree!
Love the t shirt
Thank you for making a Russian tortoise vid
I don’t have a Russian tortoise but my friend does + I have a red foot tortoise
I have a male Russian Tortoise about the same size as yours.
I want him to roam free but we have Hawks. One swooped down on his enclosure a few years ago.
We also have a lager female California Desert Tortoise that's quite jealous.
The male might be a Marginated Tortoise.
Nice. Hawks can be an issue that’s for sure.
I saved my russian tortoise from getting released by a breeder and it has become very friendly
What do you recommend as a proper diet for Russian tortoises!
That’s a great shirt Chris, where can I get one?
Thanks! Ferry with Turtle Arts sells them. He makes seriously quality stuff.
I have a Russian Tortoises his name is Raphael, he lives like a king.
What's a good substrate to use for a russian tortoise for indoors?
A sand/soil mix is best.
@@GardenStateTortoise is coco fibers ok