Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I see my russian doing this every once in awhile, out in the sun. Is this a problem? I never really thought about it being anything strange.

I live in Southern California as well, and have had problems with Russians, and have had problems with Russians getting repretory problems. As a result I no longer keep them. I never have problems with my Greeks and Hermanns. Mainly from the Russians getting out of their houses at night, and digging into the ground to hibernate. My advice is to make sure yours do not hibernate in the ground, and keep them away from humidity - ie. dew. Its been getting cooler here, and the russians can take the cool temperatures, but not combined with humidity.

Bill G.

Are you referring to it sleeping with head and legs stretched out from its shell? My russians do this under their heat lamp. I read they will splay out their limbs, necks, etc. and sleep to help soak up heat. Sounds like natural behaviour.

This behavior is known as "basking in the sun". They do it to warm themselves up and to utilize Vitamin D which they need to grow new bone.

he occasionally sleeps inside his shell, but most of the time his lil' legs and noggin are splayed out and resting on the ground. so cute!

My tort and box turtles both do this. It is normal. : )

My little Sulcata does it also. I’m dating myself here – but it reminds me of the robot in the Lost In Space TV series when he is unplugged.