Russian tortoises are relatively easy to care for in captivity and have minimal husbandry needs. Being grazers, their diet should consist of grasses, greens, vegetables and fruit.
Always provide a shallow dish of water and some dry timothy, alfalfa or orchard hay as treats for your bird.
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Grass
Russian tortoises are herbivorous animals in their natural environment and should be fed primarily dark-leaved greens such as Romaine lettuce, collard greens, kale or mustard greens as part of their diet.
Be certain that food for your tortoise does not include garden chemicals such as fertilizer, insect spray or weed killer as these could potentially lead to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).
Reptile vets generally advise providing adult non-breeding tortoises housed outdoors with full UV exposure a light dusting of calcium powder without phosphorous every other week to help prevent MBD.
Greens
Your tortoise’s diet should consist primarily of greens from grocery store sources such as Swiss chard, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens and spring mix.
Iceberg lettuce contains high levels of water but little nutrition for tortoises, as well as chemicals which could interfere with their ability to absorb necessary vitamins.
As well as offering many nutritional benefits, herbs are an ideal food source. Safe choices include hibiscus, hosta, sedum, roses, coreopsis opuntia cacti and plantains (the weed not the fruit). All should be free from pesticides.
Fruit
Russian tortoises are herbivorous animals, eating an assortment of plant life. To provide your Russian tortoise with essential nutrition, ensure they receive as wide a selection of species as possible and try not to feed them any potentially poisonous plants.
Wild bears are programmed to consume large amounts of food prior to entering hibernation; if fed a high protein/calcium deficient diet they can become overweight and experience metabolic bone disease.
Some vegetables should only be fed in small quantities, especially those high in sugar content such as sweet potato, rhubarb and zucchini which have the potential to cause many health issues for tortoises.
Meat
Russian tortoises are genetically programmed to consume large quantities of food before hibernation; as pets they can easily overindulge and become obese.
Avoid feeding your tortoise food that contains high levels of sugar or using harmful garden chemicals like fertilizer, bug spray or weed killer as this could lead to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).
Provide your pet with a variety of fresh vegetables for optimal nutrition. Make sure they consume adequate high-calcium foods like collard greens, turnip greens, kale and mustard greens as part of their regular diet.
Seeds
Russian tortoises are herbivores in their wild environment, so captivity should include an herbivorous diet similar to what they would find outdoors. Ample dark greens and flowers should be provided along with some weeds for grazing as well as some fruits for eating.
Avoid feeding reptiles plants which are poisonous to them; such as rhubarb, hydrangeas, foxgloves and mistletoe. They could end up poisonous!
Many vegetables contain sugars and starches which are unsuitable for this species of tortoise, while some also contain antinutrients like oxalic acid, phytic acid and goitrogens which interfere with calcium absorption.
Nuts
Russian tortoises tend to be very docile in captivity and can be handled safely if handled appropriately. Proper care must be taken when handling Russians in captivity – using an enclosure with plenty of room and a secure lid with locks that lock securely shut for handling purposes.
Enhance the pen with lush grass hays (timothy and orchard grass hays are suitable), broad leafy weeds, sow thistles, plantain weeds, clover flowers, hibiscus flowers, safe succulents such as spiny opuntia cactus pads and prickly pear berries; offer some kind of tortoise pellet diet to provide extra fiber; avoid fruits or vegetables high in sugar content (avocados, apples) as these could cause digestive upsets;
Vegetables
Russian tortoises are herbivores in the wild and should receive their food through plant sources such as greens such as kale, collards and turnip greens for optimal results.
Fruit and other non-green vegetables should not exceed 10% of an animal’s diet (fruit may cause bloating and parasite blooms).
Avoid vegetables containing anti-nutrients like oxalic acid, phytic acid or tannins which bind minerals and prevent their absorption by the body. These substances impede proper nutritional absorption.
Water
Russian tortoises found in the wild dig underground tunnels to shelter from predators and feed on various weeds and flowers in their natural environment. If keeping one at home, be sure to provide a shallow dish of water daily so your tortoise can drink.
Though many plants can be beneficial to tortoises, not all are completely risk-free. Some contain chemicals which could build up and poison a tortoise over time; try to steer clear of plants containing toxic elements such as oxalic acid, purines or tannins to keep your tortoise safe from harm.
