Indoor Russian Tortoise

[AmysAnimals]

Would it be so terrible to keep an indoor russian tortoise? We could take the tortoise outside for an hour or so each day if it needs it but we really have no where to keep a RT outside.

 

[GBtortoises]

No it's not so "terrible". But any and all tortoises will benefit from as much outdoor time as possible. Taking a tortoise in and out daily is better than not being outdoors at all. With the correct lighting indoors your tortoise doesn't necessarily need to be taken outdoors daily either. Outdoor temperatures should be relatively warm. Your tortoise shouldn't go from indoor temperatures in the 80's to outdoor temperatures in the 50's or low 60's just because the sun is out.

 

[Weldd]

I've kept and raised Russian Tortoises completely indoors for >10 years. Produced 2 generations here as well. It can be done, no problem. Proper lighting/husbandry is all that's necessary...

 

[dmarcus]

Hello and welcome to the forum...

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

I keep our two Russians indoors, too. As others have said above, as long as you take them out whenever possible, they will do well. The minimum air temperature Russian tortoises need to be active is 68 F, and maximum is mid-80s (no higher than 86 F maximum, as that is approaching their basking temperature of 90-95 F, which they shouldn't be in for too long). If it's too cold or too hot, they will try to burrow for shelter, and if they can't find shelter, they could become ill. If it's not raining outside, and the air temp is in that range, then you can take them out. Sunny days are ideal, but even cloudy days are good, again as long as it's in that temperature range and not raining.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi AmysAnimals:

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!

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[JoeImhof]

If it's not raining outside, and the air temp is in that range, then you can take them out.

Just saying, but you mention rain. On hot summer days, when I have my Russians outside, they LOVE the Rain and/or lawn sprinker!
They go into a hide to get out of the heat, but if I put a sprinkler on part of the enclosure in those conditions, then come out of the hide and lie in the "rainy" area.
Just sayin, mine love rain when its hot

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

If it's not raining outside, and the air temp is in that range, then you can take them out.

Just saying, but you mention rain. On hot summer days, when I have my Russians outside, they LOVE the Rain and/or lawn sprinker!
They go into a hide to get out of the heat, but if I put a sprinkler on part of the enclosure in those conditions, then come out of the hide and lie in the "rainy" area.
Just sayin, mine love rain when its hot

Yes, tortoises and box turtles do love to come out when it's raining. It's a good opportunity for them to drink or cool off on a hot day. But that's a temporary thing. If it's cold out and they get wet, or if it's a prolonged rain, or if it's still wet and cold when it's time to bed down, tortoises can get sick.

How much time do your tortoises spend in the rain or sprinkler?

 

[JoeImhof]

If it's not raining outside, and the air temp is in that range, then you can take them out.

Just saying, but you mention rain. On hot summer days, when I have my Russians outside, they LOVE the Rain and/or lawn sprinker!
They go into a hide to get out of the heat, but if I put a sprinkler on part of the enclosure in those conditions, then come out of the hide and lie in the "rainy" area.
Just sayin, mine love rain when its hot

Yes, tortoises and box turtles do love to come out when it's raining. It's a good opportunity for them to drink or cool off on a hot day. But that's a temporary thing. If it's cold out and they get wet, or if it's a prolonged rain, or if it's still wet and cold when it's time to bed down, tortoises can get sick.

How much time do your tortoises spend in the rain or sprinkler?

I might put on the sprinker for an hour or so, and they might stay in it the whole hour, once they get out in it. But its a light sprinkle, you know, it passes over the enclosure for a few seconds, then takes 30 seconds or so to go around, then sprinkes another pass, and so on.
I only set it up that way on hot 90 degree like summer days, so no worries on getting too cool

 

[lynnedit]

I've kept and raised Russian Tortoises completely indoors for >10 years. Produced 2 generations here as well. It can be done, no problem. Proper lighting/husbandry is all that's necessary...

Do you have a thread anywhere with your set up?

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Welcome!