Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was looking for opinions or comments on keeping box turtles vs. a russian tortoise? I recently just lost my 10 yr old three toed box turtle Scooter and was torn between getting another turt or go with a russian. Russian's have always intrigued me. I live in Illinois so it is very dry this time of year.

Thanks,

Steve

Hey Steve, that’s an ambiguous question its like comparing chalk and cheese.
If you've kept box turtles before why don’t you want to stick with them?
If you do fancy a change your best bet is to research your subject and then if you’re still puzzled why not put together the concerns into some direct questions for the guys it makes it a lot easier for them to give a realistic answer.

Hope that’s constructive.
-----
Richard Butler
United Kingdom

www.pettortoise.co.uk

I live in Missouri (St Louis) and have kept both box turtles and russians.

I've found it is relatively simple to keep either species outdoors from spring to fall. We are in the natural range of the box turtle, and as long as you provide appropriate shelter, boxies do well. Russians seem to tolerate the range of temperatures and humidity quite well, too, as long as you keep them out of cold AND wet.

Keeping them indoors is a little different. Russians seem to tolerate the desert-like conditions produced by central heating and air conditioning. With regular soaks and a humid hide spot they will thrive. Box turtles, on the other hand, have tended to withdraw into the substrate and become inactive, even when provided with humid substrate and wading pool.

Try www.russiantortoise.net for further info.

I found Russians easier to keep than boxies. They also seem to have a longer activity period through a given day. I'd suggest the Russian.

The only real caution with the Russians is they cannot tolerate cold and damp (as brad pointed out). This will kill them quickly.
-----
Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care