Steppe turtles are often referred to as four-toed land turtles or Russian tortoises. The term "steppe" in the name indicates that the animals are at home in a habitat with an extreme climate and have to cope with extremely hard conditions. But this is exactly what makes the medium-sized tortoise from Central Asia a fascinating species. This guide focuses on keeping the tortoise in a spacious outdoor enclosure. Based on profound expertise and her own years of experience, the author Ude Fass provides information on behaviour, a varied natural diet, successful reproduction or rearing of hatchlings/young animals, summer rest, winter rigidity, diseases, the current conservation status and gives a variety of practical tips for species-appropriate keeping and also for the purchase of these active tortoises.