Russian tortoise care
Russian tortoise is commonly known as Horsfield tortoise, afghan tortoise, Afghanistan tortoise, steppe tortoise, central Asian tortoise and four toed tortoise. Averagely male Russian tortoise grows up to five to six inches whereas female grows up to eight inches. They have green, yellow, and brownish color body and round and slightly flattened shell. These tortoises make a good pet because of their small size and ease of care. The life span of this tortoise is 50 years. Proper care should be provided to pet Russian tortoise to make them feel comfortable and secure.
Russian tortoise care tips:
1. Enclosure for Russian tortoise: These tortoises should be provided with a house that is deep enough so that they can digs down and then climb on walls. Russian tortoises love to climb and dig themselves. Cleanliness should be maintained in their enclosure to prevent them from various infections. Damp environment or high humidity should be maintained in their enclosure. 100 watt UVB should be present in their enclosure as it helps to flourish your tortoise. You can decorate your pet enclosure with sand and grass. Separate basking bulb and UVB strip light should be provided to them in their enclosure.
2. Feeding Russian tortoise: you should provide high fiber and low protein diet to your pet Russian tortoise to keep them healthy. Food such as Orchard hay, mixed grasses, timothy hay, berries, clove, prickly pear pads, Dutch clover, sow thistle, romaine, red leaf lettuce, rose leaves and petals, hibiscus and dandelion leaves and flowers can be included in your Russian tortoise diet. Generally, they like to feed on grasses, vegetation and flowers of non poisonous plants. Avoid feeding fruits, animal protein, high carbohydrate and high sugar food to your Russian tortoise. Fresh and clean water should be provided to Russian tortoise to prevent them form infections.
3. Breeding Russian tortoise: Mating processes of Russian tortoises usually take place in between the month of March to June. Almost after eight weeks of mating season female Russian tortoise will lay 3- 5 eggs. Monitor the mating process properly as at times male Russian tortoise can be dangerous for female one. Proper care and attention should be provided to those eggs and female Russian tortoise.
Above mentioned care tips will help you in keeping your Russian tortoise healthy. You should provide clean environment, food and water to Russian tortoise. After going through this article you must have realized that keeping Russian tortoise is not a difficult task after all.