Horsefield’s Tortoise
(Testudo horsfieldii)
Distribution
The Horsefield’s Tortoise has quite a wide range in the wild. Its distribution covers South Eastern Russia (South of the Caspian Sea), North Eastern Iran, Northern Pakistan, North Western China, Afghanistan,
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Southern Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and North Western Baluchistan. The majority of the Horsefield’s Tortoises in captivity originate from Uzbekistan.
They are known and sold under a variety of Common names including Russian Tortoise, Steppe Tortoise, Four Toed Tortoise and Central Asian Tortoise. This species of tortoise is famous for its digging abilities and care should be taken when constructing outdoor exercise/grazing areas to accommodate this.
Due to the wide distribution, low population densities, etc a few subspecies are currently recognised. The subspecies that are currently recognised are (Testudo horsfieldii horsfieldii), (Testudo horsfieldii kazachstanica) and (Testudo horsfieldii rustamovi).
In some parts of its native range this species aestivates in the hot weather and hibernates in the cold weather, leaving it active for only three months of the year in some areas.
Size
Young hatch around 42-50mm straight carapace length and can grow rapidly in their first year. Adult females have been recorded at up to 22cm straight carapace length, although most are smaller than this. Males are a lot smaller and have longer thicker tails.
Diet
A high fibre, low protein and high calcium diet is essential to avoid deformities with this species. Foods should be dusted with a pure calcium supplement. A separate guide as to the wild foods you can feed is available in a downloadable form in the links at the bottom of this page and can be emailed if necessary. Dark greens should be avoided such as Spinach and broccoli as they contain Oxalic acid, which binds with calcium during digestion. High calcium foods include, Dandelions, Water Cress, etc. Fruits should also be avoided as this species digestive system is not equipped to deal with the richness, it can cause diahorrea. Due to the sparseness of the foods where these tortoises originate they do not get a lot of quality foods to eat, therefore many captive specimens are overfed and become obese, please do not overfeed your tortoise.
Requirements
Heat Source – A guarded and thermostatically controlled Ceramic heater or red/green reflector spot bulb is usually the best method of heating these should be guarded to prevent thermal burns from occurring. Heat mats should not be used with this species. The heat source should be turned off or down at night to provide a natural temperature drop.
UV Light Source: - A reptisun 5.0
UVB light or similar strength brand should be used with this species. This should be positioned no more than 30cm away from the tortoise when it’s basking and be left on for 12 hours per day (decreasing in the run up to hibernation). This should be replaced every 6-7 months. Care should be taken with albino specimens (or any colour with unpigmented eyes) as the UV can damage them. In larger enclosures the new power sun Uvs can be used to good effect also.
Housing: - The best form of housing these tortoises is to have indoor and outdoor enclosures dependant upon the weather. Tortoise tables are by far the most effective and glass vivaria should never be used. Information on setting up a tortoise table can be found on the tortoise trusts website
www.tortoisetrust.org
Thermostat: - An essential part of any vivarium and is required to regulate the internal temperatures of the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.
Wire Mesh Guards: - These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent thermal burns.
Thermometers: - One should be placed at each end of the vivarium in order to give an accurate reading of the temperatures within the vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat, as these are often inaccurate.
Hides: - this species will dig into the substrate to hide, but other hides such as logs and stones to bask on should also be provided.
Water and Humidity
This species does not like high humidity and is prone to suffering from respiratory infections if exposed to it for too long. It does however require a shallow Luke warm bath daily or bi-daily in order to facilitate drinking. This should be just deep enough for the tortoise to get its head under the water if it chooses to drink, they should be allowed to soak for up to 20 minutes.
Temperature
A background temperature of around 22C is required. A basking area covering one third of the vivarium should be allowed to reach temperatures of up to 30-32C. At night the heat should be turned off to allow a natural temperature drop. This should not be done if the animal is suffering respiratory infections.
Longevity
This species can live in excess of 60 years, so ensure you are prepared to look after this species for the rest of your natural life (and potentially a large part of your children’s).
Substrate
A loam soil and play sand mix is best for this species in tortoise tables as it allows them to take advantage of the natural microclimates this creates. This should be deep enough to allow digging.
Hibernation
This species needs to be hibernated in order to keep it healthy. Hibernation stops the growth being too rapid, helps to prevent problem feeders, encourages the development of white blood cells and stimulates breeding behaviour. A separate guide is available for hibernation as this is an in-depth topic.
NB – A distribution map is available on the following website
http://216.239.37.104/translate_c?hl...l%3Den%26lr%3D
Photograph taken from Lee Horton at Pontefract Lizard Rescue
http://www.lizardrescue.co.uk/index.html
Recommended Reading/Useful Contacts
The International Herpetological Society –
www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society –
www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information –
http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/s...-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Testudo_SP_horsfieldii']
Tortoise Trust –
www.tortoisetrust.org
BCG – British Chelonia Group –
http://www.britishcheloniagroup.org.uk/
British Tortoise Keepers Association –
http://www.batk.co.uk/
http://www.tlady.clara.net/TortGuide/Diet.htm#plantlist – wild food for tortoises
World Chelonia Trust -
http://www.chelonia.org/
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/horsfield2.html
http://216.239.37.104/translate_c?hl...l%3Den%26lr%3D
www.reptilekeeper.co.uk
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