When most reptile enthusiasts think about tortoises, they envision exotic species that inhabit tropical rainforests or deserts in faraway places. But there are actually several tortoise species that call the USA home, including a particularly endearing species, known as the […]
Known more commonly as Agassiz’s Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizi), the Mojave desert tortoise or simply the desert tortoise, is a fascinating species that calls the American Southwest its home. Supremely adapted for life in the harsh deserts it is native
Despite the fact that there are roughly 49 tortoise species in the world, the majority of keepers are drawn to a relative handful of species, including sulcatas (Centrochelys sulcata), red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonarius), and Russian tortoises (Testudo horsfieldii). There’s certainly
No matter what kinds of pets you care for, hygiene is an important consideration. After all, animals can carry germs that may sicken people. This includes not only doing basic things like washing your hands after interacting with your pets,
Ideally, you’ll want to maintain most tortoises outdoors whenever possible. Outdoor accommodations usually allow you to provide more space to your pet, and they give your tortoise plenty of exposure to natural, unfiltered sunlight, which provides important health benefits and
In popular culture, the tortoise is often portrayed as a gentle giant. Species from the Galápagos Islands and other far corners of the world certainly live up to this reputation. But there are also several species of tortoise that never
One of the most challenging aspects of tortoise care is providing your pet with sufficient space. Many tortoises reach impressive sizes and need incredibly spacious enclosures. This not only means that you may have to build your pet’s enclosure from
For the most part, tortoises are undemanding pets. They don’t require daily walks like a dog does or need their keeper to monitor complicated water chemistry values like many fish do. But that doesn’t mean you can just bring home
Most tortoises are clad in colours that either help them avoid detection by predators or thermoregulate more effectively. For example, leopard tortoises (Stigmochelys pardalis) have very intricate markings, which make it easy for the animals to blend in with the
Unusual geographic locations tend to produce unusual animals. And this is especially true of islands. Take Madagascar, for example. The world’s fourth-largest island, it is home to a litany of spectacular animals, ranging from colorful panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) to
