RecoveryTortoises
Russian tortoise care guide
Testudo horsfieldii
A dry-grassland tortoise that walks miles and digs deep. Tortoise tables or large open enclosures beat any glass tank.
Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing
Russian tortoise enclosure size
Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing. An adult russian tortoise should live in at least 96" L × 48" W × 16" H; we build toward 120" L × 60" W × 18" H (10 × 5 × 1.5 ft, roughly 50 sq ft of floor and about a 561-gallon glass equivalent).
8x4ft indoors is the minimum; outdoor time in warm weather is strongly recommended.
- Hatchling / baby
- 48" L × 24" W × 12" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 72" L × 36" W × 16" H recommended · min 48" L × 24" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 120" L × 60" W × 18" H recommended · min 96" L × 48" W × 16" H
Temperature and heating
Halogen flood over a flat basking area on a dimming thermostat.
- Basking / warm surface
- 95–100°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 85–90°F ambient
- Cool side (ambient)
- 70–75°F ambient
- Night
- 60–70°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: T5 UVB 10–12% (UVI 4–6 at basking). Run lights on a 12–14 hours photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 40–50% ambient with a humid hide. Dry surface, damp burrow — hatchlings especially need a moist retreat to avoid pyramiding.
Substrate and depth
Topsoil / coco coir mix that holds a burrow. Depth: 6 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Large hide / burrow
- Flat basking stone
- Shallow soaking dish
- Edible planting and obstacles for enrichment
Build list
- 8x4ft tortoise table or enclosure — They walk long distances daily; small tanks cause stress pacing.
- T5 UVB 10–12% + halogen flood — Shell growth depends on strong UVB.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly — stick-on dials are inaccurate.
- Bulk topsoil/coir (6in) — Burrowing depth over a large footprint takes a lot of substrate.
Russian tortoise FAQ
How big should an adult Russian tortoise enclosure be?
At least 96" L × 48" W × 16" H, and we recommend building to 120" L × 60" W × 18" H — about 10 × 5 × 1.5 ft, or a 561-gallon glass equivalent. Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing.
What temperatures does a Russian tortoise need?
Basking or warm surface 95–100°F surface, warm side 85–90°F ambient, cool side 70–75°F ambient, night 60–70°F. Halogen flood over a flat basking area on a dimming thermostat.
Does a Russian tortoise need UVB?
T5 UVB 10–12% (UVI 4–6 at basking). Photoperiod: 12–14 hours.
What humidity does a Russian tortoise need?
40–50% ambient with a humid hide. Dry surface, damp burrow — hatchlings especially need a moist retreat to avoid pyramiding.
What substrate is best for a Russian tortoise?
Topsoil / coco coir mix that holds a burrow, at a depth of 6 in.
How big does a Russian tortoise enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 48" L × 24" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 36" L × 18" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own russian tortoise record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.