Thinking Of Getting A Russian Tortoise

My family and I want a new indoor pet. A Russian Tortoise seems like the best option for us. A kitten or a puppy just doesn't seem like the best fit for us (we already have two dogs and one of them thinks our current cat looks tasty). Does this seem like a good idea? I have had many reptiles (yellow bellied slider, red eared slider, leopard gecko, green anoles, and fire bellied toads). I've read up on the care for them on wikihow and reptiles magazine and I saw that they hibernate. Is this a complicated thing? Otherwise, I think we can take excellent care of a tortoise. My family is looking for a simple pet that we can all enjoy.

If anyone could give me a care sheet and the necessary supplies for Russian Tortoises that would be helpful

 

Yes! Russian Tortoises are fun, and entertaining pets that can be great companions.
You picked the right species, as other tortoises can become too large, and many owners don't know that.

I think you could get a 20-30 gallon for him.
Remember, tortoises like land, and not water.

 

If you feel like making a 40-50 year commitment and are not opposed to getting a wild-caught pet that is being on the verge of being extinct, a Russian tortoise might be for you.

 

Is it a white Russian tortoise or a red Russian tortoise?

 

I have a Russian tortoise. We have this tank for ours:

Exo Terra : Natural Terrarium Medium / Advanced Reptile Habitat

But we make a pen outside for him under the porch because the tank is small for him. On any day that's 70+ degrees Fahrenheit but under 100 degrees Fahrenheit he goes outside to enjoy some sunshine. He comes inside at night. We feed him mustard greens and other dark green leafy vegetables (ex. spring mix with low amounts of spinach). He gets the occasional carrot as a treat.

He is more interactive than my turtle, but the extent of the relationship is me hand feeding him or scratching his chin. He will poop or pee on the carpet if you try to take him out inside and as soon as you give him water he likes to poop in his water bowl. We've never hibernated ours.




I've owned or done extensive research on pretty much every pet you can own. If you'd like, I can make a list of questions, and if you answer them I can try to give you the best option of a pet for you if you decide against a Russian tortoise.

 

Yes! Russian Tortoises are fun, and entertaining pets that can be great companions.
You picked the right species, as other tortoises can become too large, and many owners don't know that.

I think you could get a 20-30 gallon for him.
Remember, tortoises like land, and not water.

Great! Do you think that this would be large enough for a tortoise? (I'm thinking of building one on my own due to the price, but it would look like this) I read that they don't appreciate glass aquariums because they try to walk through them. I'd also buy EcoEarth, a large water dish, a UV lamp, and some plants that are safe for Russian Tortoises. I'll feed him/her a spring mix. Is there anything else I should add? Also, do they have to hibernate? If they do, could you give me some tips for it?

 

I have a Russian tortoise. We have this tank for ours:

Russian Tortoise Care Sheet


I've owned or done extensive research on pretty much every pet you can own. If you'd like, I can make a list of questions, and if you answer them I can try to give you the best option of a pet for you, if you're not too excited about the Russian tortoise.

That's good they don't need to hibernate, I was dreading that. Russian Tortoises sound like a enjoyable pet to have, but I'm not set on it. I'd love to answer some questions.

 

Is it a white Russian tortoise or a red Russian tortoise?

I'm pretty sure the tortoises I saw at my local pet store are white Russian Tortoises.

 

Personally, I myself wouldn't house it in the wooden crate.
I'd be doing a glass tank, but you do what works for you.

Nothing wrong with those crates, their great.
I just would be wanting to see my tortoise inside more than out.
Yes, that'll be big enough, but occasionally, you'll want to pick him up, and let him run, or play.

 

That's good they don't need to hibernate, I was dreading that. Russian Tortoises sound like a enjoyable pet to have, but I'm not set on it. I'd love to answer some questions.

How often are you willing to interact with your pet?:
Do you want to be able to interact with them?:
If yes to above question, what level of interaction do you want? (Pick any amount of the listed replies and/or add your own if you wish): (Petting, playing, chin scratching, snuggling, holding, just watching, etc.)

How much space do you have for a cage or tank?:
How often are you willing to clean the cage?:

Are you open to an animal that absolutely needs a same species friend?:

How often are you willing to feed them?:
Live insect food - yes or no?:
Do you have issues with feeding F/T mice or rats?:

Does anyone in your household have any animal allergies to dander, etc?:

Are you open to more 'controversial' animal pets? Ex. Nonvenomous snakes, rats, mice, insects, spiders? List whichever pets you would not be okay with:

How often do you go on vacation ?:
Can you get a pet sitter if you go on vacation?:

What's your general monthly budget for the animal?:

 

How often are you willing to interact with your pet?: A few hours a day
Do you want to be able to interact with them?: Yes
If yes to above question, what level of interaction do you want? (Pick any amount of the listed replies and/or add your own if you wish): (Petting, playing, chin scratching, snuggling, holding, just watching, etc.) I'd want all of those things, but the minimum amount of interaction would be holding.

How much space do you have for a cage or tank?: I have a big enough space for a (maximum) 40 gallon tank.
How often are you willing to clean the cage?: Weekly

Are you open to an animal that absolutely needs a same species friend?: Yes

How often are you willing to feed them?: Every day
Live insect food - yes or no?: Yes
Do you have issues with feeding F/T mice or rats?: I have a problem with live mice or rats, but I'm alright with frozen.

Does anyone in your household have any animal allergies to dander, etc?: No

Are you open to more 'controversial' animal pets? Ex. Nonvenomous snakes, rats, mice, insects, spiders? List whichever pets you would not be okay with: No birds, insects, spiders, venomous snakes, or rodents/ small mammals.

How often do you go on vacation ?: 1 week and a weekend in a year.
Can you get a pet sitter if you go on vacation?: Yes, my neighbor, close friends, or parents.

What's your general monthly budget for the animal?: Not that much. I don't know exactly how much I spend monthly, but I currently have a green anole, leopard gecko, betta fish, guppy fry, fire bellied toads, and a yellow bellied slider. I don't want to have to feed an animal some exotic food. I usually feed store-bought insects, commercial food, and some leafy greens. I'm also not looking for a complicated pet that needs high tech equipment.

 

along17

Thank you! One last question to narrow down - do you want a pet that stays still when you hold it, or do you mind if they move around?

 

along17

Thank you! One last question to narrow down - do you want a pet that stays still when you hold it, or do you mind if they move around?

I don't mind if they move around

 

along17

Okay, looking at that, I'd say your best bets would be (excluding any animals you already own):

1.) Ball Python
Minimum tank size: 20 gallon long for a very small male, but any male will be fine for their whole lives in a 40 gallon. Length and width is more important than height.

They do need heating and some humidity. They're one of the better handling snakes - they don't move all that much.

Price can vary for the animal. The standard morph is usually between $20-$30 at a reptile convention. They'll cost more at a pet store. A rare morph could be in the hundreds.

Young ones will eat varying sizes of mice. Small males may be able to eat the largest size of mouse their whole lives. Larger ones will need rats of varying sizes.

Ball Python (Python regius) Caresheet
Ball Python Care Sheet

2.) Corn Snake

Corn snakes are less picky in terms of humidity. Their heating needs are basic.

Corn snakes are thinner snakes and tend to move around more than a ball python. A corn snake will likely never need bigger prey than the largest size of F/T mice.

At a reptile convention a base morph usually goes for $20. There are more cheap morphs to choose from than ball pythons, and generally much more variety in their colors.

Corn Snake Care Sheet
Ians Vivarium


Crested Gecko:

Best tank size is a 20 gallon high or a custom tall terrarium like this: Exo Terra : Natural Terrarium MinI / Advanced Reptile Habitat (Natural Terrarium Mini/Tall) or Exo Terra : Natural Terrarium Small / Advanced Reptile Habitat (Natural Terrarium Small/Tall) with a whole bunch of soft, leafy fake plants (such as ones you can get from a craft store).
They need no heat source if your house always hovers around 70 degrees. This is their ideal temperature. Humidity ideals are just a spritz of water during the morning, and one at night.
They eat a special powder mix and do not need insects in their diet.
A base morph usually costs around $30-$40 at a reptile convention.

Crested Gecko Care Sheet
Craft Store Plants
Crested Gecko Morph Guide: Colors, Morphs and Traits


Rats are awesome pets if you ever change your mind about rodents. They love snuggles and cuddles and playing.

 

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions! I'd love to get a rat, but my mom thinks they're disgusting. I think my whole family has their heart set on a Russian Tortoise now that we know they don't need to hibernate.

 

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions! I'd love to get a rat, but my mom thinks they're disgusting. I think my whole family has their heart set on a Russian Tortoise now that we know they don't need to hibernate.

Ah, I understand. There is a whole lot of stigma behind them. They're like minI dogs, though. I can't wait to get my next pair or trio of them.

You're welcome - I hope it helps!