Tortoise Species and their differences.
Hermanns Tortoise
Scientific name: Testudo hermanni
From: rocky hillsides and oak and beech forests of the Mediterranean.
Max Size: 7-10 inches
Med Spur Thigh Tortoise
Scientific name: Testudo graeca
From:Mediterranean forests and semi-arid scrubland of Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Iran, Syria, Jordan and Iraq.
Max Size: 11-14 inches
Horsefield Tortoise
Scientific name: Testudo horsefieldii
From: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, southeastern Russia, and China. Its native environment is harsh and arid,
and includes sandy steppes, as well as grassy areas close to springs in arid, rocky, hilly terrain.
Max Size: 6-8 inches
Tortoise Husbandry
Daily Chores
● Fresh water daily
● Spot clean daily
● Spray Daily (Full clean once a month)
● Use F10 Veterinary Disinfectant
Vets and Insurance
● Exotics Vets are not easy to find, here in Brighton we use Coastways in Kemptown as they have an exotic vet called Celine. It is essential you find an exotic vet.
● There is insurance you can get for your reptile through Exotic Direct.
Why Tortoises must be kept indoors in the UK
In the UK, the UV index is not strong enough for Tortoises to thrive in the garden without added lighting and heating.
During the peak of summer, you can take your tortoise out in the garden and let them forage for food. Ensure your tortoise is in an enclosed area like a rabbit run. Tortoises should never be left alone outdoors.
Garden time should be around 60-90 minutes maximum again depending on the weather.
Also ensure your tortoise has access to water when outside.
Tortoise Diets
You will be feeding your tortoise daily. Your tortoises diet will depend on the species.
Here is a list of tortoise safe foods.
Arcadia reptile created Optimised52 which is a tortoise food you just add water too. This is already supplemented and contain 52 weeds, botanicals and grasses.
There is also FlowerBoost which can be added to fresh foods. This is a fabulous food we use regularly here at the RSPCA Reptile Rescue.
CAN BE FOUND IN THE SUPERMARKET
SPRING GREENS
LAMB’S LETTUCE
ROCKET
PAK CHOI
CRESS
WATERCRESS
CAN BE FOUND IN THE GARDEN
DANDELION
CLOVER
PLANTAIN
PAINSYS
BITTER CRESS
GARLIC MUSTARD
Supplementing your Tortoises Diet
The use of high-quality reptile supplements in the correct amounts at the correct frequencies will help to ensure optimum bone health and skin health for your reptile, and help to avoid a plethora of nutrition-related illnesses such as metabolic bone disease.
For Tortoises EarthPro-A on every feed with CaMg every 4th feed on all items. A quality powder with D3 and A at feed 6 or 8 as a cycle. Also, FlowerBoost can be added into the usual fresh diet at 10% of the volume of the feed. Check out the feeding schedule using the link below https://www.arcadiareptile.com/earthpro/feeding-programme/herbivores/
Minimum rehoming Requirements for a Tortoise
- 6ft by 4ft Tortoise table, enclosure or adapted vivarium
- Arcadia Reptile ProT5 39W 12% Kit £65
- 100W Arcadia Reptile Halogen £15
- Dimming thermostat £55
- Arcadia Reptile Clamp Lamp £20
- Substrate and decor is up to you. We advice a Sand X Soil mix as substrate and a minimum of 2 hides and a water dish
You can source all electrics and decor from us as we run a shop