Only certain species need to be hibernated. For others, like the yellow/red foot, sulcata, etc., attempting to hibernate them would kill them.

www.russiantortoise.net is a good place for info on russians. Just be aware that they say a 55-gallon rubbermaid tub is an OK enclosure, but I'm pretty sure they only mean as a temporary enclosure. I definitely would not use such a small tub for an adult russian.

Ed Pirog (EJ on this forum) also has a new book out on russian tortoises. You can find it on Amazon.

Most russians on the pet market are wild caught. They will be used to hibernating in their natural environment. It may be hard to break them of that habit in the first year.

A captive-bred russian tortoise could probably be kept without hibernation as long as you keep the heat and light levels at appropriate levels. A captive-bred animal will cost a little more ($90 or more plus shipping), but will be much easier to keep and healthier, too.

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