Tortoises: Old, Older, Oldest!

Why do tortoises live so long?

It’s believed that Tortoises live so long because of their slow metabolism, which can be linked to their slow movement.

In contrast, animals with a fast metabolic rate (and who move around very quickly), can have shorter lives.

According to Ian Sample writing for the Guardian, the faster you move, the more energy you burn, and the faster your metabolic rate. Fast moving mammals like shrews can be lucky to live for 2 years; hummingbirds the same.

Own a baby tortoise? You may like this: Baby Tortoise Care

How do you age a tortoise?

There’s no real way of determining a tortoise’s age, other than through record keeping.

Contrary to some old wives tales, the growth rings around scutes are not a gauge for age.

Bill Love writing for the ReptilleMagazine.com reports that the rings represent carapace growth spurts that occur during times of quality food abundance. When food is scarce, the carapace doesn’t grow.

Tortoise size chart

The growth of a tortoise isn’t connected to its age. Instead, a tortoise will grow until it reaches a certain size, usually specific for their sub species.

The The British Chelonia Group provide care sheets which details the sizes that various tortoise species can grow to.

According to David Alderton, editor of The Practical Reptile keeping magazine, size can be influenced by their diet, how often and when they hatched.

As youngsters, a six month old Hermanns tortoise can measure around 4 to 5cm

The size for a 6 month old Spur Thighed tortoise can vary, depending on the sub-species.

Find out more about tortoise insurance here.

What should my tortoise weigh?

Weight alone doesn’t necessarily give an accurate picture of how well your tortoise is growing. Weight along with your tortoise’s length should be used as a measure.

It’s important that  you monitor your tortoises weight, if you need to hibernate him.

For owners of a Mediterranean Spur-Thighed Tortoises (Testudo Graeca) and Hermanns Tortoises (Testudo Hermanni) the Jackson’s Ratio can be used.

This calculates the weight to length ratio and produces a figure appropriate for your tortoise. It was developed as a hibernation guide. It should never be used for other breeds, as it will produce incorrect results.

If you own a Horsefield Tortoise, David Alderton editor of Practical Reptile Keeping advises that you can use the McIntyres Ratio to calculate an ideal weight.

The ratio should only be used as a guide, as it was developed using a small sample of tortoises.

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How should I measure my tortoise?

The Tortoise Protection Group advise that you should measure the straight carapace length – the underside of the shell, from front to back. To do do this you should:

• Place an A4 piece of paper up against a wall.
• Place your tortoise on the paper, with its shell touching the wall. It’s head should be tucked inside the shell.
• Mark the paper where the back end of the shell finishes
• Measure the distance from the wall to the mark on the paper to gain a carapace measurement.

For younger tortoises you can do this four times a year, for older you can do it once or twice a year.

You can weigh your tortoise by placing them on digital kitchen scales. You should weigh them monthly.

You should keep accurate records of the results, which can help you understand how well your tortoise is growing. The records can also be passed to your vet if needed.

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Tortoise age and weight for hibernation

Not all breeds of tortoises hibernate and the age from which you should hibernate your tortoise varies depending on who you talk to.

Hibernation isn’t so much about age, but the weight and length of your tortoise (the size), and its health.

It needs to have enough energy reserves to be able to survive hibernation. Hibernating an underweight tortoise could put him into grave danger. Your tortoise should also be fit and healthy.

David Alderton advises that you should do what you feel comfortable with. Some owners choose to wait until their tortoise is 3 years old before hibernating. This gives them a chance to feed their tortoise up

The Tortoiseshop.com recommend that that you don’t hibernate your tortoise within 12 months of ownership – regardless of its age.

The Tortoise Centre recommends that you don’t hibernate your tortoise until it’s three years old or 100mm in plastron length. You should keep hatchlings awake during the winter in appropriate heated surroundings. A tortoise table or run could be suitable.

To check whether your tortoise is the right size for hibernation you can use the Jackson’s ratio for Mediterranean Spur-Thighed Tortoises (Testudo Graeca) and Hermanns Tortoises (Testudo Hermanni).

For the Horsefield tortoise you can use the McIntyres Ratio (remember McIntyres should only be a guide).

For other tortoise breeds you should be keeping accurate weight and length records, which can be used to gauge whether your tortoise is at the right weight for hibernation. If you’re not sure, you can always speak to your vet.

Our policies can include £2,500 of vet fee cover, death and theft cover. Find out more about tortoise insurance here or…

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Alternatively you can call us on 0345 982 5505

Buying an old tortoise – how to tell if your tortoise is healthy

If you’re buying an old tortoise you should ensure it’s fit and healthy The Tortoise Protection Group offers guidance on what you should look for.

• Your tortoise’s eyes should be clear and open
• His mouth should be dry. There should be no signs of any breathing issues, bubbling around the mouth or wheezing.
• The tortoises tongue should be healthy and pink
• After a month old the shell should be firm. It shouldn’t feel soft or spongy. It should however still have some spring in it in the first year.
• The shell should be undamaged with no cracks or splits
• There should be no sign of wounds on the head, neck or legs
• The tail area should be clean, and any faeces shouldn’t be loose or runny
• If in a warm environment, the tortoise should be active
• The tortoise should walk with its shell (plastron) clear of the ground
• The nostrils should be clear and not blocked
• There should be no sign of head swelling

Any sign of illness should be taken seriously. If the tortoise is ill, then do not buy. If you’ve already purchased the tortoise, then you should seek medical help. Find an suitable vet by visiting our Find a vet page.

Buying an old Tortoise and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

Whether you’re buying an old or young tortoise, you should check whether it’s listed as an Annex A animal under CITES. If it is, you’ll need an Article 10 Certificate.

It’s illegal to buy or sell an Annex A listed animal without an Article 10 certificate. These can either be Transaction Specific or Species Specific Certificates.

If your tortoise is listed under Annex B it won’t need a certificate. Find out more about CITIES and the law by reading our article Exotic Pets – The Trade in Endangered Species and CITES Regulation

Hermann-tortoise.co.uk advises against purchasing tortoises that have been imported, even if they have an Article 10 Certificate.

This is because they are likely to have had a long and stressful journey. Also some European regions are known for exporting unhealthy tortoises. They suggest you check the certificate for origin.

What else to know before buying an old tortoise

• You should ensure you purchase your tortoise from a reputable retailer or breeder. Forums can be a good place to find out about reputable retailers and breeders, and online research.
• You should ask the pet seller for the history of the pet, particularly if the tortoise is old.
• Ask about previous medical history – it may be an idea to ask for a copy of the medical history. The pet seller may be able to obtain this from their vet.
• You should find out if pet seller has a history of breeding and selling the tortoise species. This will indicate their ‘breed knowledge’ and whether the correct husbandry has been provided
• A pet seller will also be interested in your tortoise knowledge. They should ask you questions to ensure you know what you’re taking on. Don’t let this put you off.
• Visit the pet sellers home to ensure that care standards are suitable for tortoises.
• Your pet seller should be able to offer you lots of advice and guidance on tortoise care. You should visit the pet sellers premises or home to see the environment that the pet has been kept in. For more information on this, see our article on keeping tortoises safe outside.
• Do your research, and make sure you know enough about the living and food needs for you tortoise
• Finally, ask the pet seller lots of questions. They should offer information freely and knowledgeably.