Russian Tortoise
(Testudo horsfieldi)
Order: Testudines
Family: Testudinidae
Genus: Testudo
Species: horsfieldi
|
|
HABITAT AND RANGE:
Russian Tortoises are native to
Afghanistan, Pakistan and southeastern
Russia. They can be found in a variety
of habitats ranging from dry, rocky
areas to sandy hillsides. |
|
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
They have a somewhat flat and rounded
carapace and are colored with tan or
olive and dark brown markings on some of
their scutes. Their head and legs are a
yellowish brown and they have four claws
on each foot. (They are also known as
the Four-Toed Tortoise.) The male
tortoise has a thicker and longer tail
with the vent close to the tip. Most
adults are 5-8 inches when fully grown.
They are considered fully grown at 20
years and can live up to 50 years. |
|
ADAPTATIONS:
They do not typically drink and rely on
their food for water. They love to
burrow and dig tunnels and will stay in
these tunnels during hot weather. These
burrows can be three feet long with
enough space for the tortoise to turn
around. This tortoise will also
hibernate. |
|
DIET:
Russian Tortoises are vegetarians. Their
diet consists of grasses, flowers and
leaves. |
|
REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT:
Russian Tortoises are sexually mature at
7-20 years of age. Mating occurs in the
spring and nests are dug in the early
summer. A male bobs his head up and
down, bang his shell into the female’s
and nips her head and legs as a
courtship display. He will also emit a
high-pitched sound. Two to 9 eggs can be
laid and will hatch in August or
September. There can be 2-4 clutches
laid a year. Depending on when they are
laid, some eggs will overwinter and
hatch in the early spring. |
|
STATUS IN WILD:
Unfortunately, captive-bred tortoises
are uncommon and most found in pet
stores have been taken from the wild.
This, along with habitat destruction,
effects the population of this tortoise.
They are listed as vulnerable. |
