Re: Russian Tortoise

Posted by brad on December 13, 2001 at 14:18:12:

In Reply to: Russian Tortoise posted by Robyn on December 12, 2001 at 22:36:23:

Russians may live in dry regions, but do not necessarily remain in desert like conditions, as noted in a TT article:

"In Pakistan, Minton (1966) found T. horsfieldi exhibited a preference for grassy areas close to springs in generally rocky and hilly terrain."

From this one might conclude that russian tortoises know how to handle themselves in the presence of shallow water.

When I keep mine outdoors (around April to October in the midwest) they have water bowls. It appears they use them from time to time.

When I keep them indoors, I don't use a water bowl. I've tried setting up shallow bowls in their indoor enclosures, but they seem to intentionally avoid going near them. Instead I soak them a couple times a week.

I don't know why they behave differently indoors vs out.

So I'd say if you can set up a water bowl, try it and see if they use it. If you can't, then do regular soaks. I don't think it is safe to assume they get all they need from their food alone.

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: Russians may live in dry regions, but do not necessarily remain in desert like conditions, as noted in a TT article: : "In Pakistan, Minton (1966) found T. horsfieldi exhibited a preference for grassy areas close to springs in generally rocky and hilly terrain." : From this one might conclude that russian tortoises know how to handle themselves in the presence of shallow water. : When I keep mine outdoors (around April to October in the midwest) they have water bowls. It appears they use them from time to time. : When I keep them indoors, I don't use a water bowl. I've tried setting up shallow bowls in their indoor enclosures, but they seem to intentionally avoid going near them. Instead I soak them a couple times a week. : I don't know why they behave differently indoors vs out. : So I'd say if you can set up a water bowl, try it and see if they use it. If you can't, then do regular soaks. I don't think it is safe to assume they get all they need from their food alone.

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