Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it true that Russian tortoises live much longer than red footed tortoises? I keep reading that russian torts can live for over 100 years if cared for properly, but then I read that red footed torts live from 40-50 years usually. Is this true? If so, why is it that they seem to live so much longer?

Well russians they are real hardy animals. They can adapt to a lot of different types of set ups and are way easier to keep then a red foot. I think these years are like pet ages not wild. Im sure in the wild red foots will live to 100years. Personally im not sure if this is even right but since red foots have certain climates like humidity and heat and all that they just dont live as long in captivity. When they get older i think they just need more stable climates and when living in places there not native they soon get sick and die. As for russians they adapt good and will live longer. That is what i think. But if you go by age from wild tortoises i think they both can reach 100years.

Thanks for the info. This also helps in my decision of what tortoise to get. Russians seem like a clear choice because of their ease in care. Typically I like to get reptiles that are known to do well in captivity. Red-footed torts I know also do fairly well in captivity, but I don't think that they would do so well spending their life indoors.

So right now I'm looking into russian tortoise breeders, to try to figure out where I might be able to get a CB russian tort.

Hi!

If you go to www.russiantortoise.org and click on the link to join the yahoo group, there are some people in there that have CB Russian babies. I am in the process of getting one from there right now.
-----
TurtsandTorts Discussion Group
2 Russians (Harley and Marley)
2 RES (Sunny and Fatty)
2 Gerbils (Sydney and Vienna)
1 Cat (Abby)

Yeah russian tortoise would be your best bet. Red foots get to 14-16 inches which means it would need a average room in a house to itself,when it grows. Even though you will eventually need to take your russian outdoors to get natural sun its good for them. You cant just leave them indoors 24/7. Torts. and turtles are some of the hardest reptiles since they need so much UVB light and natural sun and dont forget a lot of room. Im sure if you get a russian and take it out doors 3 times a week and have a fairly big enclosure like a 6x4 tortoise table he will do fairly good.

is totally a measure of our understanding of how to keep these animals. A 50 year old tortoise of any species that was ill kept as a youngster will be much more likely to have organ dysfunction as a senior.

Now think what the reptile hobby was like 50 years ago? How were those 100year old tort's kept when young?

Ian