Can Russian Tortoises Live Outdoors 24/7?

I have constructed a wooden box for my tortoise to live in outdoors. It has a screen on top that prevents wild animals from getting though and is overall quite sturdy. The only concern I have is that I’ve seen a few articles on humidity and temperature and all that. Since my tortoise is outdoors, I am unable to control those things. I live in Southern California so the temperature is quite warm. Should I take it indoors occasionally or can I leave it outdoors all the time?

Average Joe said:

I have constructed a wooden box for my tortoise to live in outdoors. It has a screen on top that prevents wild animals from getting though and is overall quite sturdy. The only concern I have is that I’ve seen a few articles on humidity and temperature and all that. Since my tortoise is outdoors, I am unable to control those things. I live in Southern California so the temperature is quite warm. Should I take it indoors occasionally or can I leave it outdoors all the time?

Click to expand...

We need some photos of your tortoise(s) and enclosure to better assist you. My Russian tortoises are outside 24/7. I’m in South CA as well. If you choose to keep them out permanently make sure the house is kept heated and doesn’t drop below 65F. The humidity only applies to baby russian tortoises. Adults prefer and do well in a dry climate.

Welcome to the forum!

My Russian is outdoor 24/7 when she’s not hibernating (which she does in a fridge here). She’s got a heated night box to use in the fall and spring. In summer she’s hanging in her burrow at night and whenever she wants to get entirely out of the sun during the day.

Basically, she’s got access to plenty of plant cover and shade along with dry places to sleep. She’s got a small, secure yard. It’s larger than many people’s enclosures but not so large we lose her or can’t keep an eye on possible predators.

As noted above, Russians are adapted for very dry climates, which are quite hot certain times of year. We are near the ocean so I actually worry more about humidity than heat.

In the right enclosure, your tortoise will do better outside than in.

Average Joe said:

I have constructed a wooden box for my tortoise to live in outdoors. It has a screen on top that prevents wild animals from getting though and is overall quite sturdy. The only concern I have is that I’ve seen a few articles on humidity and temperature and all that. Since my tortoise is outdoors, I am unable to control those things. I live in Southern California so the temperature is quite warm. Should I take it indoors occasionally or can I leave it outdoors all the time?

Click to expand...

Yes they can, but where in SoCal are you? Very different advice for Pismo Beach vs. Palm Springs. I'm up in Santa Clarita near Magic Mountain. Desert climate. Hot summer days, cold winter nights. Here is what worked in my area, but I wouldn't do it this way if I lived in an area like Rosemary's:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/semi-underground-russian-box.98590/#post-922226
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/heating-an-outdoor-russian-night-box.116180/#post-1077261

You can create some minor micro-climates variations with a bit of landscaping. You can create areas that are a little more cool and humid by adding plants, wind blocks (rocks, plants, dirt hills), and water saucers in shady low areas that collect moisture. Hotter and drier areas will exist where there is a little more elevation, where wind blows, where plants are absent, and where heat catches the area (against buildings, by larger rocks, away from shade). Striving for a variety of climate zone not only provides gradients of hot/cold or dry/wet environments that allow a tortoise to properly self regulate internal temperature and moisture, it also gives a more interesting home for your tortoise to explore.

I have a little micro sprinkler that turns on with the drip irrigation (30 minute every couple days) to make sure there is always a place that is a little cooler/wetter. This is a shady lower area, with some reed grasses planted around it and the water saucer to one side. Granted I'm in a dry hot dessert region so the rest of my enclosure stays pretty warm and dry.

Tom said:

Here is what worked in my area, but I wouldn't do it this way if I lived in an area like Rosemary's:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/heating-an-outdoor-russian-night-box.116180/#post-1077261

Click to expand...

How can you say that when we built our heated box using your design, lol? She doesn’t need an underground box to protect from heat, though, like yours do.

Gratuitous shot of Addy getting in her last sun for the day; she’ll be out here for another half hour or so, then go all the way down to bed. She actually spent time in her above ground box today, first time in two weeks. I suppose she just likes knowing that she can!

Tom said:

Yes they can, but where in SoCal are you? Very different advice for Pismo Beach vs. Palm Springs. I'm up in Santa Clarita near Magic Mountain. Desert climate. Hot summer days, cold winter nights. Here is what worked in my area, but I wouldn't do it this way if I lived in an area like Rosemary's:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/semi-underground-russian-box.98590/#post-922226
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/heating-an-outdoor-russian-night-box.116180/#post-1077261

Click to expand...

My house is in San Clemente.

Average Joe said:

My house is in San Clemente.

Click to expand...

If you are close to the coast, then Rosemary's advice is what I'd listen to. If you are more inland and it gets hot in the summer, then the threads I linked would be one way to go.

Twenty-five miles downstate from me, on the beach, I think it’s a bit drier and warmer there but not much. You don’t need to worry about having too little humidity. Make sure he has a dry place (or two) to sleep.

I think you should be prepared for managing your tortoise during the winter in a climate that isn’t the best for them, should he decide to hibernate. Not cold enough and possibly too damp. You can overwinter him inside, with the right lighting; you can stick him in a fridge; or you can do your best to find a dry and well drained spot for him outside if you choose to let him do his own thing. Overwintering him or fridge hibernation are both fine, in my limited opinion. I can’t recommend leaving them on their own but people do.