Russian Tortoise Care and Keeping with Katie Bradley

In this episode of Turtle Tea with TTPG, host Wendy Montroy sits down with Russian tortoise breeder and expert Katie Bradley (@mossytortoise). With over 18 years of experience keeping and breeding Testudo horsfieldii, Katie shares her deep knowledge on Russian tortoise care, natural history, genetic testing, outdoor vs. indoor habitat setup, diet, and safe fridge brumation. Whether you are a beginner looking to get your first tortoise or an experienced keeper wanting to optimize your husbandry, this episode breaks down everything you need to know about housing, UV lighting, weed-based nutrition, and the recent importation bans affecting Russian tortoises in the U.S. Although technically not from what we currently consider "Russia", these tortoises have a long history of being imported from Central Asian countries that were part of the former U.S.S.R.Key Topics Covered in This Episode:󠁯•󠁏󠁏 The origin story: From a rescue on Craigslist to breeding second-generation captive-bred Russian tortoises.•󠁏󠁏 Russian tortoise natural history, native range (the "-stans"), and subspecies identification.•󠁏󠁏 Importation ban updates (December 2024 Uzbekistan import bans) and why captive breeding matters.•󠁏󠁏 Habitat and enclosure size requirements (why a 40-gallon tank is not enough).•󠁏󠁏 Outdoor vs. indoor care, temperature gradient, and safe UV lighting (Arcadia T5 setup).•󠁏󠁏 Proper diet: Broadleaf weeds, grocery store green rotations, avoiding fruit•󠁏󠁏 Step-by-step fridge brumation (hibernation) techniques, substrate selection, and seasonal wind-down.Connect & Follow:Guest: Katie Bradley https://www.facebook.com/MossyTortoisehttps://www.instagram.com/mossytortoise/About the Turtle & Tortoise Preservation Group (TTPG)The mission of the Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group (TTPG) is to ensure survival of the world’s turtles and tortoises through captive breeding. The TTPG supports the private ownership of chelonians and recognizes the substantial role that the private sector has played in the captive breeding and conservation of turtles and tortoises.Website: https://www.ttpg.orgJoin TTPG or donate: https://www.ttpg.org/membershipFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TTPGGroupQuestions & Answers (Q&A)Q: Are Russian tortoises good for beginners?A: Yes, beginners can keep Russian tortoises successfully, but only if they are committed to providing proper husbandry. Reptiles are not low-effort pets like cats or dogs; adults require large enclosures, UVB lighting, precise heat gradients, and a varied broadleaf diet to thrive.Q: How big of an enclosure does an adult Russian tortoise need?A: Standard 40-gallon aquariums are far too small for adult Russian tortoises, as they are active wanderers. For indoor housing, a minimum space of 4 ft x 8 ft (using a sheet of plywood lined with pond liner) is recommended. Whenever possible, safe outdoor housing during warmer months is ideal.Q: Can you feed grass to Russian tortoises?A: No, Russian tortoises will generally refuse to eat grass. Their ideal diet consists of broadleaf weeds (such as dandelion, plantain, and thistle), leafy greens (kale, collard greens, arugula, endive), and grape leaves. Avoid fruits and high-sugar foods, as they disrupt gut flora.Q: Are Russian tortoises still being imported into the U.S.?A: As of December 2024, commercial importation of wild-caught Russian tortoises from Uzbekistan (the primary export source) to the U.S. has effectively stopped. Keepers looking for Russian tortoises in the U.S. should seek out established, reputable captive breeders.More about the showWebsite: https://www.turtletea.orgIf you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment below to help more turtle enthusiasts find the show!