Russian Tortoise
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| Testudo horsfieldii Gray, 1844 |
The Russian Tortoise, Horsfield's Tortoise or Central Asian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii syn. Agrionemys horsfieldii, see "Systematics" below) 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 15 to 25 cm (6-10 inches). They are sexually dimorphic in that the females grow slightly larger, males tend to have a longer tail that is generally tucked to the side, 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] Distribution and ecology
The Russian Tortoise ranges from Afghanistan to north western China, through the countries of Russia, Armenia (not certain), Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Pakistan. It usually lives in dry areas with sparse vegetation.
Russian tortoises hibernate during winter and estivate during the summer when temperatures are high. They are avid burrowers and can dig large burrows that might be two meters (several feet) long. They are herbivorous, and active grazers when the temperature is right, consuming a wide variety of weeds and grasses.
[edit] Systematics
This species is traditionally placed in Testudo. Due to distinctly different morphological characteristics, Khozatsky & Mlynarski (1966), proposed to separate it in Agrionemys. DNA sequence analysis generally concurs, but not too robustly so (e.g. Fritz et al. 2005). Some sources also list three separate subspecies of Russian Tortoise, but they are not widely accepted by taxonomists:
- 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] Relationship with humans
In the wild, the Russian Tortoise is considered vulnerable to extinction in the mid-long term. Human construction encroaching upon its habitat is the main cause of endangerment. Trade in wild animals is restricted, and captive-breds should be preferred as pets as they are hardier.
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.
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.[citation needed]
[edit] Gallery
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[edit] References
- Species Testudo horsfieldii at The Reptile Database
- Fritz, Uwe; Kiroký, Pavel; Kami, Hajigholi & Wink, Michael (2005): Environmentally caused dwarfism or a valid species - Is Testudo weissingeri Bour, 1996 a distinct evolutionary lineage? New evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear genomic markers. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 37: 389–401. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2005.03.007
- Khozatsky, L.I. & Mlynarski, M. (1966): Agrionemys - nouveau genre de tortues terrestres (Testudinidae). Bulletin de l'Académie Polonaise des Sciences II - Série des Sciences Biologiques 2: 123-125.
- 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)
[edit] External links
