The Galapagos Island archipelago is made up of several different islands, with each exhibiting subtle differences that have shaped the evolution of the plants and animals living on them. This has led to several species – including, most notably, Galapagos […]
There are several tortoise species and subspecies in the world that exist in large numbers, and many of these are common in the pet trade. For example, Russian (Testudo horsfieldii) and red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonarius) are both common in the
One of the largest tortoises on earth, Aldabra tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) are some of the most awe-inspiring animals alive today. Stars of zoos, television shows, and wildlife preserves, these animals capture the imagination of all who see them. Some people
Though they’ve long been popular, Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni) have become even more celebrated among tortoise keepers in recent years. There are a variety of reasons these tortoises have started attracting so much attention, including their endearing personalities and attractive
Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni) are endearing animals, who’ve become quite popular with reptile keepers over the last several decades. But it is important for prospective keepers to note that there are two subspecies of the Hermann’s tortoise – the eastern
While there are nearly 50 different tortoise species in the world, beginning tortoise enthusiasts often find themselves choosing from a relatively small subset of this total. After all, some tortoises – such as Aldabra tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) – simply grow
Substrate selection is a pretty important consideration for tortoise keepers. After all, your animal will spend almost all of his time walking and sleeping on it – he’ll likely even burrow down into the substrate from time to time. So,
Lighting is one of the most confusing aspects of tortoise husbandry for many keepers. And that’s unfortunate, as proper lighting is vital to your tortoise’s long-term health and well-being. Historically, there weren’t many great options for providing pet tortoises with
One of the biggest ways that tortoises differ from dogs, cats, and other common pets relates to their metabolism. Unlike birds and mammals, tortoises are ectothermic (“cold-blooded”) animals. This means that instead of “burning” calories quickly enough to heat their
The red-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius), also referred to as the cherry head tortoise is a charming species and is commonly kept as a pet. It’s native to South America and is most easily identified by the red patches along its
