Tortoises are certainly slow-moving animals, as anyone who has seen one ambling around can attest. But are they always slow? Are they capable of moving quickly or do they simply have little reason to do so? And if they can […]
Tortoises are fairly distinctive animals, and while it can occasionally be tricky to identify some by species or subspecies, it usually isn’t very hard to determine whether an animal is a tortoise or not. In most cases, any reptile with
To care for a pet tortoise, you’ll need to do everything from establishing a proper thermal environment to providing your pet with a nutritious diet. But the first thing you’ll have to do is decide which type of enclosure would
Even though they are terrestrial animals who primarily live on dry land, tortoises – like all other animals – require water to survive. This includes rainforest-dwelling red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonarius), desert-dwelling sulcatas (Centrochelys sulcata), and every species in between. From
No matter what kind of animal you care for, mental enrichment matters. No pet should be forced to live in an empty habitat with nothing to explore, manipulate, or interact with—and that absolutely includes tortoises. Here’s what catches many tortoise
From front-opening enclosures to custom-built habitats to aquaria, there are tons of different tortoise enclosures available to modern keepers. But having so many choices available isn’t always a good thing. It can actually leave your head spinning, as you try
All aspects of your tortoise’s enclosure will affect your pet’s health and well-being. For example, the lighting you use will influence his mood, behavior, and metabolism, while the enclosure top and walls will play a role in his safety. But
Modern tortoise keepers have access to dozens of different species, but most keepers find that only a relative handful of species make the best pets. The Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) is clearly among these, and the species’ popularity has only
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
