Buyer question
How long does a Russian tortoise live?
Our Animal Library gives the Russian tortoise a lifespan of 40+ years.
Source: the Russian tortoise page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Russian tortoise in the Animal Library
The detail
The Russian, or Horsfield's, tortoise is a small, hardy tortoise from the dry steppes of Central Asia. It stays under eight inches and is active and personable, which makes it one of the best tortoises for smaller spaces.
- Origin
- Central Asia
- Best fit
- First tortoise, small spaces
What to weigh
Russians dig and climb, so escape-proof pens are a must. Many sold are wild-caught imports that may carry parasites.