Russian Tortoise Diet

Russian tortoises are relatively large turtles that have become popular as easygoing, low-maintenance pets. Because they are herbivorous, though, Russian tortoises come with some important dietary guidelines.

  1. Geography

    • Russian tortoises are native to China, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. They live in dry, arid conditions in nature and are therefore kept in relatively dry conditions in captivity.

    Characteristics

    • Russian tortoises hatch at 3 to 4 inches in length. Fully grown, the tortoises can reach 8 inches. They can be a light yellow in color, but can reach dark green and even black, depending on their genetics. These turtles reach maturity at four years of age and can live for 20 years.

    Leafy Greens

    • Russian tortoises are herbivores, which means that they eat only vegetables. They eat leafy greens like iceberg and romaine lettuce, spinach, turnip greens, dandelions, chicory, endive, escarole, red-leaf lettuce, radicchio, mustard and collard greens and watercress.

    Vegetables

    • Russian tortoises can also be fed limited vegetables. Feeding a Russian tortoise carrots or broccoli once a month gives them a good source of fiber and valuable vitamins and minerals.

    Supplements

    • Pet stores carry supplement powders to add vitamins and minerals to a Russian tortoise's diet. If the diet is balanced, these are unnecessary, but are never detrimental. To feed supplements, powder is brushed over the turtle's food so that the tortoise eats the powder along with his lettuce or vegetables.