Tortoises are ancient reptiles that belong to the family Testudinidae. They are characterized by their tough shells, slow locomotion, and long lifespans. They play a vital ecological role in their native habitats, often acting as keystone species that help shape […]
Understanding how to tell if a tortoise is male or female is important for a variety of reasons. In breeding programs, sex determination ensures the formation of suitable pairs. Regarding health management, knowing the sex is needed for diagnosing and
Stomatitis, commonly known as ‘mouth rot’, is a common condition caused when pathogens such as bacteria, fungi or viruses get into an open sore in the mouth and cause infection in the oral tissues. This unpleasant condition is most common in
When discussing the size of different tortoises, most people refer to straight-line shell length. This makes sense, as a tortoise’s length is generally the metric by which enclosure size is determined. It’s also easy for many people to estimate length.
Buying your first pet tortoise is certainly an exciting endeavor. However, you’ll need a variety of supplies to ensure your new pet remains healthy and enjoys a high quality of life. In this article, I’ll be explaining some of the
There are a variety of tortoise husbandry tasks that you can schedule whenever you like. For example, you should replace your tortoise’s full spectrum lights every six months or so, but it doesn’t matter what month of the year you
To properly care for a tortoise, you must provide a habitat and care regimen that mimics several of the environmental parameters your pet would experience in the wild. For example, you’ll need to provide your tortoise with appropriate temperatures, a
Beginning tortoise keepers have a lot to learn about the biology of their pets – especially some of the common signs and symptoms of potential illness. As is the case with most animals, the appearance of a tortoise’s poop can
Live plants are a vital part of any tortoise’s natural habitat. The more you can replicate that natural habitat in your own enclosures, the better your tortoise’s quality of life is likely to be! You don’t need a green thumb
Tortoises are very prone to conjunctivitis, or the swelling of the eyelids. Many cases of conjunctivitis are caused by bacterial infections and need prompt diagnosis and treatment to get better. In this article, I cover the most common tortoise eye
