Agrionemys horsfieldii 7cm

Steppe turtle or tortoise štvorprstá (Agrionemys horsfieldii or Testudo horsfieldii) is a species of turtle in the family Tortoises. It is common breeding species, but does not live in Europe. Her home is located on the western edge of Asia.

Steppe turtle identified both by almost round and flat carapace at the top, both by the number of toes, is in fact only four fingers, which are conjoined to the claw. Another common feature is sandy color carapace with distinct black markings. The female grows about 20 cm, the male 16 cm. Its weight can be up to 2 kg.Samička is greater compared to the male and a shorter tail. Compared Balkan turtles such as the tortoise is broader and more burrows more lasting. It is active during the day, is very lively and advice digging and climbing. Males are aggressive to males of other species of turtles, even if they are three times larger.

Kicks underground corridors up to 12 m long, so it must be run outside and secured against leaks underground.

Is among the herbivores, the main food of the tortoises are therefore plants (almost exclusively leaves, fruits and flowers), for example, leaves Dandelion, dried herbs, lettuce, apples, strawberries, clover, plantain, rose, cabbage, avocado, kiwi, cantaloupe, apricots bananas, a great variety of fodder, but also insects and even small cubes. The more varied the diet, the better, because of the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Courting the male is manifested rocking head swirling around females. When the male female stops fleeing, mating occurs. It reaches sexual maturity between eight and ten years. The female lays eggs in late May and June often one with long pauses for several days. Eggs are a great 4-5 x 2.5 to 3.5 cm. 2-8 bear eggs to a pre-excavated hole. Chicks hatch after 80-110 days, therefore, remain to sleep in the ground and coming out until the following spring.