The best Russian tortoises for sale from the Turtle Store
Turtle store offers Russian tortoise hatchlings for sale, as well as well started baby Russian tortoises. Looking for a larger Russian tortoise for sale? We also offer yearlings and juvenile tortoises for sale online. Our breed stock of adult Russian tortoises for sale is composed of some of the nicest Russian tortoises in the world. Our biologist has put together one of the nicest Russian tortoise breeding groups in the world. Because of this, we are able to offer some of the nicest baby Russian tortoises for sale online anywhere. Captive bred baby tortoises for sale should be the only that you choose when shopping for the right tortoise breeders.
Russian tortoise care
Caring for a Russian tortoise for sale is reasonably easy, so long as you invest the time to learn. Russians are fairly small tortoises and therefore only require a small habitat, at full maturity of say 2×4′, though larger is always better. Multiple female Russian tortoises may be housed together in groups of up to 6, but size should be 4 cubic feet larger per female. Using a tortoise table, or tortoise house kit will work, just pay close attention to temperature and humidity. A baby tortoise, in general, will need a higher humidity as the main variable for success.
Russian tortoises and humidity
Humidity is important with all baby tortoise species, including the Testudo tortoise family. Baby Russian tortoises require humidity in the area of 75%. When kept indoors, the habitats tend to be on the dryer side and therefore will require some work to increase the humidity where need be. Using a lid, or some type of closed system will help tremendously.
Here at the Turtle store, we raise all of our baby Testudo family torts (Russians, Greeks, Egyptians, Marginated, etc) in closed systems with high humidity and LOW air movement. From years of breeding Russian tortoises, we now have mastered the art of raising these beautiful Russian tortoise hatchlings.
Russian tortoise temperature
Baby Russian tortoises should be kept with an ambient temperature of 86 degrees. A cold spot of 80 is fine and a warm spot of 95 is also nice, however, the ambient temp remains the most important. Here at Turtle store, our main concern is the ambient temp and not getting too cold. We focus more on this than the temperature gradient that is so widely talked about. Finding that the tortoises’ theme to thrive with a median temperature of 86, we now maintain this throughout our daytime enclosure temperatures. Evening temps are allowed to drop into the high 70s, however with very slow moving, humid air, it seems a tad warmer and “muggier” for the tortoises.
Russian tort diet
Variety is key when talking about what to feed your new Russian tortoise. It isn’t really about one thing, it is about feeding a wide variety of high-quality greens and veggies. By feeding a variety you will ensure not to “overdose” your tortoise on certain things. For example, spinach is bad. If you feed spring mix that contains spinach as one of 15 ingredients, it will not be too much where you need to worry about spinach. If all that you ever feed is spring mix, then you have a problem. Turtle store uses a mixture we chop daily of Romaine, Kale, Dandelion, Spring Mix, Endive, Collard, Mustard, and Beet Greens. In addition, we soak our mazuri tortoise chow in water mixed with a 50:50 ratio of calcium with D3 AND Vionate (a multi-vitamin and mineral powder).
Russian tortoise water
Giving your baby Russian access to water is preferred, and soaking daily is required. Soak your baby tortoise in a shallow soaking dish with opaque sides so the tortoise cannot see out. Soak for 10 minutes in 85-88 degree warm water once daily. Typically soaking your tortoise and then placing them directly atop their pile of greens and Mazuri is best each morning. Establishing a daily routine when possible will benefit your tortoise a great deal.
Russian tortoise UVB lighting
UVB light exposure is extremely important for all tortoises, including baby Russian tortoises. We recommend a Reptisun UVB 10.0 lamp, T5 (tube style). Screw in lamps like the cheap spirals are not recommended and really do not have much of a radius of coverage. Think about the tortoise being outside, getting constant UVB and UVA from every angle. Now, think about the exposure they will get in their habitat inside or outside your home, and try to make them similar. Not easy, is it? Using a T5 high output lamp will give you the best scenario. Using the 10% lamp is good, however for distances 15-24″ above the tortoise, a 12% lamp is recommended. Arcadia UVB lamps are the best in our opinion, though a tad more pricey, they also last twice as long.
Russian tortoise habitat
Baby Russians can exist in something as small as a 24×12″ sweater box. Keeping humidity high is key, so these work. Using a fish tank is not recommended but also can work if set up properly. You will want to cover the sides so that the tort cannot see out, as that will cause he or she to become anxious and constantly try to escape via the clear see-thru side(s). We like to use the 24″x15″x48″long PVC style single glass front reptile cages available at reptilebasics. For UVB fitting them out with a 36″ T5 10.0 fixture is easy.
Russian tortoise substrate
For substrate, we recommend a nice mixture of 50:50 potting soil and potting mix (organic). Be sure there are no additives or fertilizers included as that could kill your tort. Baby Russian tortoises do burrow so providing 4″ of substrate is recommended and spraying it down with a pressure sprayer daily is great. Spraying the soil and your tort(s) in the morning to simulate a morning dew so to speak works create. One added but important benefit of doing this is creating a super humid microclimate for your tortoise should they choose to burrow. It is in these microclimates in which baby tortoise exists in the wild. Remember not to call the Russian tort a Russian turtle or Russian turtle for sale, it’s a tortoise! If you are interested in a Baby Russian, we recommend also checking out the baby Eastern Hermann’s tortoise. The Hermann’s tortoise for sale is small like the Russian, a bit friendlier, and more colorful. Turtle store actually favors the Hermann tortoise for sale over the Russian.
100% Captive bred baby Russian tortoises for sale online
It is very important you find the right russian tortoise breeder that only works with captive bred baby tortoises for sale, NOT wild caught. The biggest problem with russian tortoises for sale is that most are wild caught and can be as old as 40-50 years old when you buy the russian tortoise. So when you see a very cheap russian tortoise price, you know it is NOT a captive bred russian tortoise.
