Can Russian tortoises breath while they're on there back?

[BoggyIsMyTortise]

I was wondering if so, and can it harm the tortoise in any way?

 

[wellington]

Yes it can harm them. If I am remembering this correctly, it can crush their lungs. @Yvonne G can explain it better.

 

[CanadianTestudo]

from what I know they have enough time so that they can flip themselves back over if they fal on their back. They however need something that they can hook their feet under to flip themselves, just a bare landscape won't allow them to turn back over.