Outside Russians

[Chrisstencil]

Is it possible living in Maryland USA to have Russians live outside year round? Will they hibernate on there own when the weather gets cold? If not is there any other tort that would work?

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

Most keepers would want to monitor their tortoises during brumation. In a “natural" type brumation, you would not have that opportunity.

 

[Chrisstencil]

I understand that you would not be able to monitor the torts but would it be unsafe or unhealthy for them? Do some torts die in the "wild" during hibernation?

 

[wellington]

It's not recommended to brumate(hibernate) a tortoise the first year you have them. Take the first year to make sure the tort is healthy and has no problems. Then you can brumate them and someone else will have to tell you the ways it can be done.

 

[lynnedit]

GBtortoise has Med tortoises including Russians. I believe he has overwintered or hibernated some inside over the years, but I seem to recall that he has also kept them outside 365 days/year in covered areas in their enclosures filled with leaves/straw. That's in the Catskill mountains.
You have to make sure that the outdoor enclosures are well designed, have good sun exposure but are protected from wind, and well drained.
And Barb is right, keep your tortoise for a year or two w/o hibernation to make sure he/she is healthy enough.