If you get a hatchling you may be able to bring it up without hibernation. Now it might slow down in the winter, and you shouldn't force it to be more active than it wants to, but as long as you let it decide what it wants to do, then it'll be OK.

I've hatched a few russians and actually kept one awake through its first winter. It was fine and healthy and active. I've hibernated it since then, but only because I'm interested in using it for breeding. I think that if I'd continued to keep it awake through the winter it would be fine. In fact if you get a hatchling I wouldn't hibernate it for a year or two anyway.

$250 for a hatchling is way over the going price. With shipping costs included you could probably get a hatchling for about $125 to $150 dollars. I don't know any breeders in NY.

For info on keeping russians go to www.russiantortoise.net

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