The Russian Tortoise, also known as the Horsefield’s Tortoise, is native to central Asia. They can grow up to 10inches in length, with males typically being smaller than females. They can be olive or a brownish yellow colour, with dark patches on each scute of their shells. These tortoises are herbivores, feeding on vegetation including grasses, flowers, twigs and leaves. The Russian tortoise is the only tortoise that has 4 claws on each foot. On average, Russian tortoises are only active for about 3 months of the year as they hibernate during the colder months to survive. They can live for up to 50 years in captivity.
Meet Heidi:
Heidi is the name of our little Russian tortoise at Secret Valley. Heidi definitely has a taste for adventure and arrived at the park under quite unusual circumstances. In August 2024, she was found slowly making her way along the side of the road not too far from Secret Valley (not an appropriate habitat for a tortoise). A kind person luckily spotted her and brought her to us safely. Heidi has now become a permanent resident at the park. When she first arrived, she found it difficult to walk with her back legs, probably due to a lack of calcium in her diet or being housed with improper UV lighting. Thankfully, with the care from the team at Secret Valley, she now has fully recovered and loves exploring and going for adventures around the animal encounters shed.
