Horsfield Tortoise Care

Horsfield Tortoise Care   The Horsfield – also known as the Russian or Steppe – tortoise is often recommended for outdoor life in the UK, as the environments where they are found in the wild tend to be incredibly harsh, with extremes of both heat and cold. Not only do they favour the type of […]

Do Mediterranean Tortoises Make Good Pets?

Before 1984, tortoises were very common in pet shops of all types. Mediterranean tortoises of several species found themselves piled in crates in shops, on market stalls, anywhere the public might be enticed to buy them; sadly, the vast majority of them suffered for a few months in our damp, chilly gardens and then succumbed […]

Indian Star Tortoise

Indian Star Tortoise Care   One of the more visually striking tortoises available today, the Indian star is a beautiful animal that originates from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Officially listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List, the biggest threat to their continued survival is habitat loss, with poaching for the food and pet […]

Hermann’s Tortoise

Hermann’s Tortoise Care   The Hermann’s tortoise is one of the most popular species of Mediterranean tortoise in the pet trade, and rightly so; they are hardy and clever, full of personality and probably the best choice for our uncertain climate. Found across the southern half of the Mediterranean basin, the Hermann’s is made up […]

Bell’s Hingeback Tortoise

Bell’s Hingeback Tortoise Care   The Bell’s Hingeback is a medium sized African tortoise, up to 22cm long, tan to light brown in colour with some patterning which fades with time. They are found across most of sub-Saharan Africa, favouring savannah, open woodland and grassland habitats that have a distinct wet and dry season. As […]

Pancake Tortoise

Pancake Tortoise Care   The pancake tortoise is found in rocky scrub in southern Kenya and northern and eastern Tanzania. Its name comes from the shape of its shell, which is flattened and flexible. Unlike most tortoises, which pull their limbs into their shell when threatened, the pancake runs for cover. It’s thought to be […]

Tortoise Hibernation – How to do it safely

Tortoise Hibernation Guide This tortoise hibernation guide is written for Mediterranean species, such as Spur Thigh, Hermanns and Marginated Tortoises, and is also suitable for Horsfield (Russian) Tortoises. Do not hibernate tropical tortoises. Hibernating Young Tortoises There is much debate over whether a young tortoise needs to be hibernated from their first winter or whether […]

Tortoise Feeding – Why is it so hard?

Feeding Your Tortoise – Why Is It So Hard? We probably spend more time talking about your tortoise’s diet than on any other subject. Which might seem a little odd; after all, they eat greens, don’t they? What’s so hard about that? Quite a lot, as it turns out! Consider the Mediterranean, if you will. […]