| The Horsfield tortoise or Russian tortoise is small, | | | | climate a standard outside enclosure will be fine. |
| approximately 9 inches long. The shell is not high | | | | Remember all tortoises not just this species like to |
| domed but gently rounded and the plastron | | | | have places to shade and hide from the world and |
| (underneath) of the shell has darker markings and the | | | | also basking areas in which they can warm up either |
| skin is golden brown in color. | | | | with the sun or under an artificial heat source. This |
| These chelonians are friendly and outgoing and the | | | | species does not tolerate high humidity or damp so |
| Horsfield will come up to you to take food and will | | | | make sure you provide some soft dirt mixed with |
| recognise you when you go into the enclosure. These | | | | bark perhaps so it can dig and burrow in. They do like |
| little creatures have a very engaging personality and | | | | to dig, so be sure to make the bottom of the |
| are originally from southeastern Russia through to | | | | enclosure secure so that your pet cannot dig out |
| Afghanistan and Pakistan. | | | | under the walls of the enclosure. When it is time to |
| When you decide you want to care for a tortoise | | | | mate the males will often be very vigorous in their |
| you have to understand what sort of habitat it would | | | | efforts to escape! |
| live in, in the wild. This will then give you clues as to | | | | In order to care for your pet you have to |
| what sort of habitat to provide and what sort of | | | | understand its natural habitat in the wild and then |
| food to provide in captivity. | | | | mimic this as far as is possible given your living |
| In the wild they will live in dry, arid grassland through | | | | arrangements. The Horsfield tortoise makes a |
| to desert and rocky hillsides. Often this species will be | | | | wonderful pet given its requirements to have a |
| called the central Asian tortoise, Afghan or Steppe, | | | | reasonable enclosure which provides shelter, shade, |
| as a result it is often better to use the scientific | | | | basking and digging opportunities. If you decide to |
| name (Testudo or Geochelone Horsfieldi). | | | | get a tortoise for a pet remember they can outlive |
| To care for your pet you need to provide an | | | | you so you may have to pass them on to your |
| enclosure that will cater for its needs. This species | | | | children or even grand children! |
| does not like to live inside but if you live in a suitable | | | | |