How to Breed a Russian Tortoise

Russian Tortoises are one of the most commonly kept and easiest to breed of the pet tortoise species. They are often seen at chain pet stores and are a staple of specialty shops in the United States. Also called the Steppe Tortoise for the sandy steppes which it naturally calls home, this small tortoise requires very little to be a happy and prolific breeder.

Things You'll Need

  • Reptile incubator
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Instructions

    • 1

      Obtain a small breeding group of one male for each three females for best results. This prevents one female form being unnecessarily harassed by the male, and helps to ensure that a good number of live offspring result from each breeding season. Do not house more than one male in each enclosure, as they can be very aggressive towards each other.

    • 2

      Provide your tortoises with a high-quality tortoise diet consisting of fresh leafy greens and grasses. Darker lettuce varieties, spinach, kale, mustard greens and collard greens all make a good starting point. You can add variety in the form of hibiscus flowers, dandelions, prickly pears, or other locally available, freshly picked plants. A good assorted diet should be offered daily or every other day, as much as the tortoises can eat in a 20- to 30-minute sitting.

    • 3

      Make sure that each tortoise enclosure is large enough for your breeding harem to obtain adequate exercise and to burrow at least a little. A good enclosure for a small breeding group should be at least several feet long and wide.

    • 4

      Provide each female with a nesting box consisting of a partially buried container about six inches in depth. A plastic or rubber container filled with garden soil or a mix of sand and peat moss works well.

    • 5

      Remove the eggs carefully after laying, without rotating or shaking them, and place into a dish of moist peat or vermiculite in an incubator. According to RussianTortoise.org, the temperature of the incubator will determine the gender of the hatchlings. Temperatures of 89 degrees result in females, while temperatures of 84 degrees result in males. Temperatures around 86 degrees result in a mix.