Russian Tortoises from Afghanistan

My name is Sonya and I am a Russian Tortoise. My scientific name is Testudo horsfieldii. Two years ago I was attacked by a dog. His teeth made holes in my shell, and I lost one of my back legs. But I am doing fine now.

These are my friends, Sally (left) and George (right). We come from countries in southeastern Europe: Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It can be very hot or very cold. When it is too hot or too cold, we dig a tunnel in the ground and crawl in until the temperature improves.

We are not very large tortoises. We grow to be at most 6 or 7 inches long, and weigh 1½ to 2 pounds. We eat many kinds of grasses and shrubs, both leaves and flowers. A romaine lettuce leaf, a piece of squash or banana, or even a cantaloupe rind is all special treats we would not get in the wild.