Russians during winter??

[Tortloverr]

My Russian baby has a fully built indoor enclosure that will last him until he gets bigger, but I've moved to a smaller house and his enclosure is large for the space so I won't be able to fit a bigger indoor enclosure. I want to build him something outdoors, my only concern is I live in Virginia and sometimes winters get cold enough to snow. Can they live outdoors all year? The only other option is to keep him in a Rubbermaid container.

 

[Gillian M]

Welcome to the forum!

Please read the Beginners' Mistake Thread and different care sheets. Ask any question whenever in doubt, and please post photos of your tort as well as his enclosure.

 

[Tortloverr]

Oh I'm not really new here but thanks! I've posted pictures before and I know it's too small for an adult, that's why I'm trying to come up with some solution before he gets big. This is what it looks like:

 

[Alexio]

Russian tortoises do have the natural ability to hibernate as well. Many many people hibernate their russians over the winter months.

 

[Jodie]

That is a cute enclosure. I would learn how to hibernte him. Do it inside. He would hibernate on his own outside in VA, but mother nature can be unpredictable. If you bring him in, it can be done very safely.

 

[Tortloverr]

That is a cute enclosure. I would learn how to hibernte him. Do it inside. He would hibernate on his own outside in VA, but mother nature can be unpredictable. If you bring him in, it can be done very safely.

You read my mind that was going to be my next question! Thank you Jodi!

 

[Tortloverr]

At what size is it safe to put him outside on a more full time basis?

 

[dmmj]

it's usually better to hibernate when you have control over the temperatures. Snow is unpredictable it does get cold in the mountains of Afghanistan but I don't think it snows a lot.

 

[Jodie]

At what size is it safe to put him outside on a more full time basis?

Mostly when he is big enough to be able to find. Search night box. Most of us use something like this for outside tortoises.

 

[Alexio]

I was in no way suggesting that she should let the tortoise hibernate outside, only that Russian tortoises were one of many species of tortoise that can hibernate(as some cannot).

 

[WithLisa]

You can let him stay outside if you have a suitable shelter.
My Hermanns hibernate in a cold frame filled with foliage litter. In case of a severe winter, I could put in a heat cable but so far it was never necessary.

 

[Gillian M]

Oh I'm not really new here but thanks! I've posted pictures before and I know it's too small for an adult, that's why I'm trying to come up with some solution before he gets big. This is what it looks like: View attachment 178747

A lovely enclosure.

And apologies for the mistake I made. Very sorry.

 

[Tortloverr]

Mostly when he is big enough to be able to find. Search night box. Most of us use something like this for outside tortoises.

So I've done a little searching for night boxes and will do plenty more before I build one, but I do have a couple questions. For Russians, does the box need to be heated and/or cooled? I've seen where Tom has an underground "basement" for his Russians, I'm just curious if that would be sufficient.

 

[Jodie]

It depends are where you are and the temps it maintains without heat. I heat mine, but don't cool it. I have other hides for day time that are not heated.

 

[Yvonne G]

I would box him up in shredded newspaper for the winter hibernation. Keeping them dry is paramount.

 

[Tom]

Just for reference:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/semi-underground-russian-box.98590/

And the text explains what I was doing with the heat and why here:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/heating-an-outdoor-russian-night-box.116180/#post-1077261

I think these same ideas would work well in your climate.