I know what you mean about getting the right source of info.

I've relied on information obtained from the Tortoise Trust, California Turtle and Tortoise Society, and a little bit from people on the web. I'm cautious about taking advice from individuals on forums because so often they have one or two specimens and a limited range of experience. Maybe they are just like me: they haven't killed their tortoises .. yet :->

I have been fortunate in keeping russians for about 8 years now. I've had only two losses: one Petsmart rescue that died before I could get it to the vet, and one severely undersized hatchling that died after pipping.

I think the information at the russiantortoise.net website gives good guidelines that I can agree to, except for recommending that a russian could be kept in a 50-gallon Rubbermaid (way too small).

Ed Pirog (EJ) also has a book out on Russian tortoises. Look it up on Amazon. I think it's about $10 + shipping. cover all of the topics.

I don't think you need to hibernate - definitely don't do it for the first year or two with a hatchling. Hibernation becomes a potential problem when you take in a wild caught adult that has been hibernating every year of its life, maybe for months at a time. A hatchling will adapt. Just keep the heat and light schedule at a reasonable schedule (12 on / 12 off). And if the tort slows down in the winter, just relax and let him do his thing. Soak him once a week so he doesn't dry out, and place a little food in his enclosure once a week in case he gets hungry. Come spring, he's out and eating everything in sight.

An adult russian needs about 8 sq ft of space (more is better), compared to what, a large room for an adult sulcata, plus a whole yard for grazing. All your costs and sacrifices will be much smaller for a russian. Plus, a russian can adapt more easily to our temperate climate. A sulcata needs it hot and dry year round. A temporary power outage, a failed heat lamp, and your sulcata is at risk. A russian can tolerate temps down to about 40 as long as it is dry and out of the elements. Of course it will want to hibernate with temps that low, but its system can handle it. They come from a region of the world with severe winters and summers. They are tough.

So best of luck with your decision.

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