As usual, Bradtort makes some great points. Remember, some folks are successful not hibernating tortoises at all, i.e. Joe Heinen of the Russiatortoise forum. My torts. however do hibernate and aestivate. But different things will work for different keepers it seems. Most Russians I see are 4 or 5 years from breeding size, they are typically imported quite small.

Size matters! I don't think you have much chance of breeding success unless your females are at least 900 gms.

Most successful breeding seems to occur right after emergence from hibernation, in So. Cal that is early March or so. Many people have never seen a big female, they are impressive. Still, the fertility of my herd has decreased since I moved to the extreme desert, but maybe we will do better this year. Keep trying and have fun, and give them lots of Calcium as Brad says, ground oyster shell, cuttle bone, egg shells etc.

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