All About Russian Tortoises!

Various species of tortoise have "gone mainstream" across the globe when it comes to the trade involved with them. Sulcata, red foot, leopard, Hermann's and even elongated tortoises have shown up in collections, rescues and pet expos in large numbers but one tortoise really seems to take the cake, especially here in the United States. The Russian or Horsfield's tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) has been a long time favorite in herpetoculture and its size, personality and climate tolerance prove why. Sadly, Russian tortoises are ripped out of their native lands and shipped to other countries for the demanding pet trade at significant numbers and this has gone on for what seems like forever. They are now listed as vulnerable by the IUCN and surely will make it to at least threatened in the coming years. Regardless, they are here to stay as they remain one of, if not the most heavily traded and kept tortoise species. At Garden State Tortoise we take in Russian tortoise rescues more than any other tortoise species. They're a bulldozer of a tortoise, full of charisma and people just LOVE them. Unfortunately, many keepers don't provide for them properly so in this video we cover that, proper identification and even a little bit about their flight to the moon.....yes, the MOON.

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Who is Garden State Tortoise?

However you made it here, thank you and welcome to Garden State Tortoise. Garden State Tortoise is home to hundreds of animals from all around the world. We are a family dedicated to adventure, conservation of wildlife, and all things nature. We are a reptile rescue and breeding facility for more than ten years, offering refuge to those who need it, and working everyday to protect the beautiful world of reptiles in any way we can. Here on our YouTube channel you will be able to join us on our animal adventures while learning how to care for, protect, properly identify, feed and even breed many species of turtle, tortoise, snake and lizard. We even work with frogs and salamanders! We hope you enjoy our videos and help us share them with the world so we can continue to educate people of all ages about herpetology.

Chris and Casey Leone