Caresheet for Horsefield Tortoises - Testudo Horsefieldi
Section 1: Introduction
The Horsefield or Russian Tortoise is a small species with adult females growing to 8-10 inches and males 6-8 inches. These tortoises are found in Afghanistan, Northern Pakistan, Northern and Eastern Iran, North Western China and the Southern Soviet territories and Kazakhstan. Its habitats are dry open landscapes. It is most commonly found in sand and clay deserts with sparse grasses and bushes. Horsefield tortoises are rarely found in dense grassy areas or cultivated fields. In its natural habitat the tortoise is active for only a few months of the year. It comes out of hibernation in mid-March and actively forages and mates until mid-June. During the hottest parts of summer it aestivates. In Uzbekistan it hibernates from October through to March. It is most active in the early morning and early evening, retreating to its burrows during the hottest part of the day. Horsefield tortoises are most active when the temperatures range between 20-32 degrees Centigrade.
Section 2: Diet
Horsefield Tortoises are grazers and enjoy broad leaf plants. The best diet is a variety of weeds (leaves and flowers), noting that they are completely vegetarian and require no animal protein in their diet. Dandelion is a favourite. Cosy Tortoises sells “Grow Your Own Tortoise Food” which is ideal for Horsefield Tortoises. Horsefield tortoises will readily eat dry tortoise food from the Komodo Holistic Tortoise Food Range that is a good source of vitamins and minerals as part of a healthy diet. It is important that these tortoises avoid meat and lettuce. Russian Tortoises are "programmed" to eat vast amounts in a short period of time. In the wild they are active only a few months of the year. When they come out of hibernation they eat a lot in preparation for the hot summer periods where they will spend their time resting. In captivity they are active most of the year in the UK and can easily over eat. Also, if kept in an indoor enclosure they are at risk of getting less exercise than in the wild where they are prodigious climbers with often sparse vegetation on rocky terrain. Normally, they have to work hard to find their food so creating an area with rocks embedded into the soil creating a small hill in the centre of their enclosure, with a feeding station at the top would be an ideal solution. Lack of appropriate exercise and over-feeding are two factors can lead to rapid growth and a shortened life span for these otherwise extremely able and often entertaining gregarious tortoises. For this reason their diet should be restricted carefully and their weight monitored regularly. Natural graze is the best way to feed any tortoise. However, replicating their natural scrubland environment takes time and in the wild they would rely on a much larger area than most captive environments to provide adequate foraging. Fibre is essential and most Horsefield tortoises will readily adapt to eating grass if you restrict their other food to alternate days. Most supermarkets offer “greens” that Horsefield’s will readily eat: Curly kale, collards, cabbage that should be supplemented with plenty calcium to offset the lack of calcium in these vegetables (grated cuttlefish bone is ideal). However, salad leaves and herbs such as Basil, Rocket and Parsley are often expensive so we would recommend growing your own whenever possible, especially to avoid any pesticide or other chemical treatment residues on bought food. The only time of year when you cannot rely on growing you own food, Horsefield tortoises should ideally be hibernating. Please see our Caresheet “Feeding tortoises through the UK winter,” for tips on how to over-winter tortoises when not hibernating them.
Section 3: Supplements
Calcium is very important for Horsefield tortoises. A light dusting of the food with a suitable calcium and vitamin supplement on alternate days is sufficient. Good examples of appropriate supplements are Nutrobal or Reptavite. Calci-dust is a high calcium fine powder for dusting food on alternate days to help ensure good smooth growth. Cuttlefish bones can also be used as a calcium supplement when the tortoise needs it by leaving a whole one bony side down in the enclosure at all times. Cuttlefish bone is ignored for long periods of time but you may find they are used a lot in one 24 hour period with a gravid female or young tortoise experiencing a growth spurt. Vitamins and supplements can be purchased from our Calcium and Supplements page.
Section 4: Water
Water is very important for all animals. Horsefield tortoises are no exception to the rule. Being an arid species, much of the water they need can be extracted from their food. However, they do need a regular source and become accustomed to one. Providing a shallow water bowl that they can climb in and out of easily is important. Usually the depth should just cover the underside of their shells and they should be able to sit inside it as an impromptu water bath. This means that juvenile tortoises need fresh water several times a day or at least twice usually. Water baths are important at least once a week using luke warm water especially for Horsefield tortoises who often don’t take impromptu baths voluntarily. If you get the temperature right they will stay in the water bath for at least twenty minutes before getting restless.
Section 5: Set-up
From experience we generally find Horsefield tortoises with the correct set-up are more settled outside rather than indoors. It is important to note they need access to a thermostatic heatlamp and UVB 5% light all year round. They need at least half of their enclosure to remain completely dry too, so a grassy lawn and only a small shelter are simply inadequate. Here is a list of what is needed to create a suitable set-up for your Horsefield Tortoises. All of this equipment can be purchased from our tortoise specialist online shop Cosy Tortoises. Should you require any further information regarding any of the recommended products or why you need them please use the contact details or click on the link to each product to access the information provided on the website.
Indoor Set-up
Tortoise table (size depends on age and how many tortoises you are going to keep) Shelter
Heatlamp
Heat bulb
Thermostat
UV unit and UV light
Water and Food bowls
Nutrabol or similar product Cuttlefish bone
Substrate (play sand and soil) purchased from your local garden centre.
A tortoise run for outside when the weather is nice.
Outside Set-Up
All of the above items except for the tortoise table which is not suitable for outside use.
An All-Season House is highly recommended to allow you to safely house electrics required to service the heatlamp and UV light requirements of Horsefield tortoises in the UK.
