General Information

Tortoises are reptiles not mammals. The husbandry they need is different from that required by cats, dogs or rabbits.

There are many different species of tortoise and each species requires slightly different husbandry. Although these details may help to give an insight into the husbandry of other species, they only apply in detail to the Mediteranean tortoises - Testudo graeca, Testudo hermanni, Testudo marginata and Testudo Horsfieldi.

Tortoises require various housing set-ups according to species and time of year so they can get their bodies to the appropriate temperature.

Tortoises are vegetarian. They should not be fed meat, cat and dog food, milk or products made from them.

Dogs may attack tortoises. Never leave a dog and a tortoise alone together, no matter how docile the dog normally is.

Unlike mammals, tortoises do not like to be handled or petted. If you want a pet to fondle, then get a cat -not a tortoise.

Children should be taught to look but not touch.

Tortoises should be kept clean. Do not put oil on their shells. If you do, it will reduce the efficiency of heat exchange when basking and it makes shell-rot worse. Wash frequently, using a nailbrush or toothbrush, with an anti- bacterial cleaner and water. Avoid getting the cleaner into their eyes and make sure their nails are clean.

Quarantine any newly acquired tortoise, until you are sure that it has no disease and that it is growing well.

Tortoises usually do not make sounds, even if they are in extreme pain. Do not assume that no noise means no pain