Hey, i live in northern california and i find that my russian tortoises are perfect for my climate. we have hot dry summers and rainy winters, and my tortoises spend all year outdoors. my older female is hibernating outside right now, in a hibernaculum (a 15 gal. flower pot over her hole in the ground w/ newspaper over her to be sure she's dry.) Russians just need a dry sunny spot outside with good drainage (kiddy pools with drainage holes are great for hatchling to sub-adult), they can take the cold as long as they have a dry place to escape freezing temps and moisture.

i don't have much experience with hermanns, but both of my russian females have a great personality. i interact with them everyday and they let me touch their legs and heads. my older girl even knows to run onto my flat hand in her cage to get out like an elevator, and will push up against my finger with her head as i rub it. my younger one is a bit shyer but still lets me pet her head and legs and will eat from my hand (especially flowers),

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