Russian Tortoise
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| Testudo horsfieldii Gray, 1844 |
The Russian Tortoise, Horsfield's Tortoise or Central Asian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) is a species of tortoise that is a popular pet. It is named after the American naturalist Thomas Horsfield.
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[edit] Description
Russian tortoises are a small tortoise species, ranging from about 6-10 inches (15 to 25 cm). They are sexually dimorphic in that the females grow slightly larger, males tend to have a longer tail, and females tend to have flared scutes on their shells, while males do not. Coloration varies, but the shell is usually a ruddy brown or black, fading to yellow between the scutes, and the body itself straw-yellow and brown.
[edit] Behavior
Russian tortoises hibernate during winter and estivate during the summer when temperatures are high. They are avid burrowers and can dig large burrows that are several feet long. They are herbivorous, and active grazers when the temperature is right, consuming a wide variety of weeds and grasses.
[edit] Geographic distribution & habitat
The Russian Tortoise ranges from Afghanistan to north western China, through the countries of Russia, Armenia is uncertain locality, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Baluchistan. It usually lives in dry areas with sparse vegetation.
[edit] Taxonomy
Due to distinctly different morphological characteristics, many sources classify the Russian Tortoise in its own genus, as Agrionemys horsfieldii. Some sources also list three separate subspecies of Russian Tortoise, but they are not widely accepted by taxonomists.
[edit] Subspecies
- Testudo horsfieldii horsfieldii (Gray, 1844) - Afghanistan/Pakistan & southern Middle-Asia
- Testudo horsfieldii kazachstanica (Chkhikvadze, 1988) - Kazachstan/Karakalpachstan)
- Testudo horsfieldii rustamovi (Chkhikvadze, Amiranschwili & Atajew, 1990) - southwestern Turkmenistan
[edit] In captivity
Russian tortoises are popular pets primarily because of their small size, but they are also an extremely hardy species. Though captive breeding is still not commonplace (though it is done), wild caught specimens adapt well to captivity and readily consume a wide variety of fiberous greens, grasses and vegetables. They will also eat fruit, but should only be given it in small quantities, as excess sugars are not good for them. These tortoises use fiber for energy instead of protein.
[edit] First tortoise in space
The first tortoise in space, and the one of the first animals of any kind in deep space was a Russian Tortoise, sent by the Soviet Union (along with wine flies, mealworms and other biological specimens) on a circumlunar voyage from September 14 to September 21, 1968.
[edit] Gallery
 Adult Russian Tortoise |
 Baby Russian Tortoise |
 Adult Russian Tortoise |
 Adult Russian Tortoise |
 Young Russian Tortoise |
 Adult Russian Tortoise |
[edit] References
- Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (1996). Testudo horsfieldii. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Vulnerable (VU A2d v2.3)
- Species Testudo horsfieldii at the Species2000 Database
[edit] External links
