I have russian tortoises in St Louis, MO. From 2001 to 2007 I kept them outdoors from roughly April to October each year and they did very well. Actually produced a few hatchlings.

When the original pen deteriorated and it wasn't reasonable to replace it, I kept my last two hatchlings and set them up indoors.

Outdoors is much better even though the local weather is very humid. Don't allow the outdoor pen to get flooded or remain constantly wet, and provide them with a dry tortoise house/retreat in the pen, and they are fine.

Once the weather turned too cold (daytime highs below 65, with nighttime lows dropping below 45), then I'd bring them indoors. While they are OK with an indoor pen with heat and lights, they just aren't the same active animals as they are outdoors.

Eventually the temps in my basement would cool off and the torts would go into hibernation from about December thru February.

So yes, Russian torts can live in a humid area and then hibernate indoors. Just pay attention to temperatures and excess dampness.

Good luck!

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