and are preferable if the keeper lives in an appropriate climate. Indoor enclosures should measure 8’L x 4’W x 2.5’H, or otherwise offer 32 square feet of floor space. Indoors, specialized equipment is required to maintain moderate temperatures and moderate humidity, with UVB light available in an appropriate strength. In captivity, Russian tortoises’ diet typically consists of lamb's lettuce, plantains and various other dark leafy greens. The diet should be as varied as possible to reduce the risk of imbalanced nutrition. Water is important for all species; the tortoise, being an arid species, will typically get water from their food, but they still need a constant supply. Young Russian tortoises should be soaked 1-2x/weekly in lukewarm water no deeper than their elbows to keep hydrated. Tortoises typically empty their bowels in water to hide their scent; this is an instinct, and it also helps keep their enclosure cleaner. Russian tortoises can live up to 50 years, and require annual hibernation. Russian tortoises do not require a CITES Article X certificate. 1968 Moon flight In September 1968 two Russian tortoises flew to the Moon, circled it, and returned safely to Earth on the Soviet Zond 5 mission. Accompanied by mealworms, plants, and other lifeforms, they were the first Earth creatures to travel to the Moon. References Further reading (2008). "Reptiles used in traditional folk medicine: conservation implications". Biodiversity and Conservation 17(8): 2037–2049. (HTML abstract, PDF first page). (2005). "Environmentally caused dwarfism or a valid species – Is Testudo weissingeri Bour, 1996 a distinct evolutionary lineage? New evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear genomic markers". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 37: 389–401. . (1966). "Agrionemys – nouveau genre de tortues terrestres (Testudinidae) ". Bulletin de l'Académie Polonaise des Sciences II – Série des Sciences Biologiques 2: 123–125. (Agrionemys, new genus). (in French). (1988). Turtles and Tortoises of the World. New York: Facts on File. (1989). Turtles of the World. Washington, District of Columbia: Smithsonian Institution Press. (1990). Keeping and Breeding Tortoises in Captivity. Avon, England: R & A Publishing. (1988). Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins. New York: St. Martin's Press. (1979). Encyclopedia of Turtles. Neptune City, New Jersey: T.F.H. Publications. (1994). Mediterranean Tortoises. Neptune City, New Jersey: T.F.H. Publications. (1991). "Horsfield's tortoise, Agrionemys horsfieldii ". Tortuga Gazette 27 (6): 1–3. External links Russian (Horsfield's) Tortoise Care Information Tortoise Forum: Russian Tortoise Care Sheet Tortoise Supply: Russian Tortoise Care Sheet TurtleTimes - Online Resource for Tortoises