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
Which substrate to use in your tortoise enclosure might seem like a small decision. But remember that this material makes up a huge part of your tortoise’s relatively small world! The right substrate will ensure your Hermann’s tortoise is happy,
Getting the Russian tortoise diet right is absolutely critical for keeping these popular pets healthy long-term. In their natural habitat, Russian tortoises are opportunistic feeders battling against rocky terrain and harsh, arid landscapes. This feast-or-famine existence with constant foraging means
No matter what tortoise species you maintain, you’re going to need to be patient. Tortoises grow very slowly. But while this can often frustrate their keepers, it means that tortoises also live very long lives. These aren’t pets that’ll die
If you keep a tortoise from a temperate climate zone, such as a Russian (Testudo horsfieldii), Hermann’s (T. hermanni), or desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), you’ll need to provide your pet with a chance to brumate (the reptile version of hibernating).
Some tortoises live in tropical climates and are therefore capable of remaining active all year long. This includes rainforest-dwelling red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria) and desert-dwelling sulcatas (Centrochelys sulcata), among others. But other tortoises live in areas with cold winter weather,
Whether born of a desire to breed tortoises for profit or out of simple curiosity, many tortoise enthusiasts wonder how many eggs tortoises can produce. It’s actually a very important subject, as tortoise clutch sizes influence things ranging from the
In many respects, tortoises make undemanding pets. As long as you start with a healthy animal and provide him with an appropriate habitat and care, your pet will likely live a long and healthy life. However, even tortoises that receive
