What genus is a Horsefieldii?

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
Hi and welcome,
Congratulations on becoming a tort keeper!
There's a lot of old and incorrect information still being passed on by some breeders, non specialist vets and especially pet shops who are only too happy to sell you unsafe and unsuitable equipment for profit.
This is the most up to date caresheet you need which will help your Russian tort thrive
Don't waste your money on expensive water dishes which are often too steep and a tipping/drowning hazard - cheap terracotta plant saucers are ideal and much safer. Coiled and cfl bulbs have been known to damage tort eyes, and all in one MVBs dry and damage shells so they aren't recommended now either.
If you want to check what bulbs, substrate and type of enclosure etc you need read the caresheet and then ask as many questions as you like.

I've just noticed that he's 8 years old not months , so while a lot of the info in the caresheet will still be useful for you - he's going to need a minimum 4 x 8 feet enclosure but the bigger the better. Russians are expert escape artists - they can dig and climb so you'll really need to make sure it's very secure.
if you want to post pics of where he's going to live you'll get good feedback to help make sure he'll be safe.
You'll also find www.thetortoisetable.org.uk good for identifying tort safe food.
 
Last edited:

Andrew89

New Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2022
Messages
6
Location (City and/or State)
Bury St Edmunds
Hi and welcome,
Congratulations on becoming a tort keeper!
There's a lot of old and incorrect information still being passed on by some breeders, non specialist vets and especially pet shops who are only too happy to sell you unsafe and unsuitable equipment for profit.
This is the most up to date caresheet you need which will help your Russian tort thrive
Don't waste your money on expensive water dishes which are often too steep and a tipping/drowning hazard - cheap terracotta plant saucers are ideal and much safer. Coiled and cfl bulbs have been known to damage tort eyes, and all in one MVBs dry and damage shells so they aren't recommended now either.
If you want to check what bulbs, substrate and type of enclosure etc you need read the caresheet and then ask as many questions as you like.

I've just noticed that he's 8 years old not months , so while a lot of the info in the caresheet will still be useful for you - he's going to need a minimum 4 x 8 feet enclosure but the bigger the better. Russians are expert escape artists - they can dig and climb so you'll really need to make sure it's very secure.
if you want to post pics of where he's going to live you'll get good feedback to help make sure he'll be safe.
You'll also find www.thetortoisetable.org.uk good for identifying tort safe food.
Thankyou for your reply and advice I really appreciate it 😁
 

biochemnerd808

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Nov 3, 2012
Messages
1,453
Location (City and/or State)
Central Arkansas (we moved!)
Genus used to be Testudo, but they changed it to Agrionemys fairly recently... if we all choose to go along with that...
Actually, I think it's back to Testudo, from Agrionemys. Or so is being said in Europe? Because of an RT's ability to produce fertile progeny with Greeks and Hermanni, apparently.
 

Cathie G

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Aug 9, 2018
Messages
14,908
Location (City and/or State)
Lancaster
Actually, I think it's back to Testudo, from Agrionemys. Or so is being said in Europe? Because of an RT's ability to produce fertile progeny with Greeks and Hermanni, apparently.
Having a little Russian for almost 15 years makes me think they are a genius of their own. Danged little in duh viduals 😊
 
Top