Which tortoise should you get?

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Best tortoise for beginners

Spur Thighed (also known as Greek) tortoise

Spur Thighed (Greek):

The most commonly available and the easiest to care for is the Spur Thighed (Greek) Tortoise. These are readily obtainable through many of the outlets mentioned below.

They are active and remain relatively small reaching a size of 25cm with a weight of 2.5Kg on the average for the females with the males being smaller as is the case with all of the smaller tortoises.

There are a few different races which do vary in size with some being smaller and others being a little larger compared to each race.

Hermanns Tortoise:

A pair of Hermann’s tortoises

Hermann’s Tortoise is the next desirable beginner’s tortoise and readily available.

Their size is slightly smaller than the size of the (Spur Thighed) Greek tortoise for the most part. The Hermann’s tortoise is also usually more active than the Spur Thighed. They also tend to have a more colourful shell making them more attractive.

Adult marginated tortoise

The Marginated Tortoise

The Marginated Tortoise is similar to the Spur Thighed (Greek) and Hermann’s Tortoise but gets a little larger in size reaching 35cm in length with a weight of 5kg on the average. They are very similar to the Spur Thighed tortoise but are more elongated and larger in size.

The Marginated seems to be a little more outgoing and more active than the Spur Thighed tortoise but presents an added challenge because of its larger size and activity level. It may not be the best tortoise for beginners.

There can be a problem if there is more than one male because they are very territorial and aggressive as a result.

Horsfield tortoise (also known as Russian)

Horsfield (also known as Russian) tortoise

The Horsfield tortoise is a relatively small tortoise that is available mostly in pet shops and garden centres. They stay relatively small with adults reaching a size of 15 to 25cm and up 1.5 kg in weight. They are very active tortoises when they are active which is not very often.

They spend a great deal of time resting and buried down in the substrate or in a corner if the substrate is not deep enough.

The Horsfield (Russian) tortoise does not seem to like extreme high or low temperatures. This is why it is best to not let the temperature go above or below 30°C. If the temperature goes outside of their comfort zone they tend to become very inactive.

There are two more exotic tortoises. These are the Sulcata (also known as African Spurred) and the Indian Star tortoise.

Adult and baby Geochelone Sulcata

Sulcata (African Spurred) tortoise 

The Sulcata (African Spurred) tortoise are easily available at very inexpensive prices because they are commonly bred throughout the world.

The problem is the Sulcata gets very large. Obtaining one or more of these tortoises requires some serious thought to both spatial and financial considerations. The Sulcata can attain a size of over 80cm in length with a weight of over 90Kg.

Add to this that they are extremely active and you can have one very destructive reptile. However they are very easy to take care of and make great pets after the previous mentioned considerations.

The Sulcata is not the tortoise for the average keeper no matter how cute they are in the beginning. They grow and they grow fast if taken care of properly.

Male and female Indian Star tortoises

Indian Star

The Indian Star Tortoise is a very ornate tortoise that has yellow star patterns covering its black shell. They are available in some of the shops throughout the UK as a result of a very successful breeding program but they can be expensive. The Star Tortoise makes a great pet because it maintains a small size of 20 cm as adults with a weight of roughly 1kg. The males are typically half that size.

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How long do tortoises live?

All the species mentioned here can live over 75 years.

Article 10 regulation on tortoises

The Spur Thighed (also known as Greek), Hermann’s and Marginated tortoise fall into a group of tortoises that require a special permit in the UK.

Juvenile Spur-Thighed tortoise – one species listed on Annex A in the UK.

This permit is commonly referred to as an Article 10 certificate, and the above tortoises fall into Annex A, which requires the special permit.

Annex A animals are considered endangered and as such the species need to be monitored to ensure they’re not illegally wild caught and then traded. You won’t need to do anything with regards to an Article 10 Certificate. But your seller or breeder will.

There are two types of Article 10 certificates. One is a Transaction Specific Certificate and is issued if the tortoise is under 60mm and too small to be chipped.

The breeder/seller should be named on the certificate, and the buyer should see the certificate when buying the tortoise. It’s recommended that the buyer takes a photocopy or a photograph of it. The certificate is valid for one sale only.

The other is a Specimen Specific certificate (SSC) and it’s issued showing the microchip number the tortoise is implanted with.

The SSC will be passed to you, and accompanies the tortoise for life.

All other tortoises mentioned in this article do not require an Article 10 certificate.

Where can I buy a tortoise?

There are many acceptable sources from which to obtain a tortoise which include animal rescues, breeders, pet shops and the internet.

In each category there will always be some that are better than others. Most of these sources offer excellent courier service for the animals but it is usually best to see the tortoise in person to be sure you are getting a healthy animal.

Tortoises and hibernation

The Spur-Thighed, Hermann’s, Marginated and Horsfield Tortoise all hibernate in their natural habitat. This is a biological mechanism to live through unfavourable conditions for survival.

Horsfield tortoies male and female – these species hibernate

Hibernation is not a requirement and can present unnecessary risks.

It is always best to maintain favourable environmental conditions that allow the tortoise to carry on its day to day routine.

As you learn more about the animal you might consider hibernation on the tortoises’ terms.

Most believe it’s not worth the risk if it’s not necessary but some tortoises will do this naturally if the environmental conditions deteriorate to the point their metabolism slows down and they are forced to ‘sleep’.

Find out more about Tortoise hibernation

What to expect when you first bring a tortoise home

When a tortoise is placed in a new environment it will usually behave in an odd manner. Tortoises do not like change.

The tortoise will normally pace and refuse food for up to two weeks but usually less than that.

This should be of little concern as long as the tortoise settles down. During this period it is important to soak the tortoise regularly to maintain hydration.

The items to focus on in the order of importance are temperature, hydration, nutrition and housing.

A young Sulcata – these start out small but become very big. They’re more suited for the outdoors.

Tortoise temperature

The temperature should be maintained about 30 degrees Celsius with a variation of plus or minus 5°C.

This can be accomplished by using a light bulb or a ceramic heat emitter to provide the required heat.

With both heat sources the room temperature the enclosure will be kept in will determine the power or wattage of the heat source that will be required.

When using a ceramic emitter a rheostat should be used to maintain the desired temperature. A rheostat is a variable switch which allows you to vary the current to the emitter which determines the heat the emitter puts out.

The temperature can be properly controlled by the rheostat when used in conjunction with a thermometer in the enclosure.

In line rheostats can be found at any hardware store if the fixture is not equipped with one.

A baby Marginated tortoise foraging

How do tortoises stay hydrated?

Hydration is extremely important for tortoises, and you should provide water for both drinking, bathing and basking.

It is suggested that the tortoise have access to a shallow water dish at all times.

Hatchling and younger tortoises should be soaked in shallow warm water every day or two.

The depth of the water should be half way up the opening of the front of the shell to be on the safe side of preventing any chance of drowning.

A humid hide can be provided to give access to external hydration through respiration in addition to providing internal hydration by drinking.

Some believe that a humid hide decreases dehydration through respiration, in addition to aiding good shell development by keeping the outside of the shell moist. All tortoises benefit from a humid hide.

A humid hide is a small portion of the enclosure that is kept damp but not too moist. The portion of the enclosure can be a plastic box/hide with a water retaining substrate such as sphagnum moss, coconut coir, soil or any clean moisture retaining substrate.

The moist substrate can also be a portion of the enclosure with no cover. However this does increase the work of keeping the substrate moist.

It is important that the tortoise be allowed to dry out. It is for this reason that it is not recommended that the entire enclosure be moist. This is true for all tortoises.

It is also important that any soiled moist substrate be removed and replaced to prevent molding.

A Sulcata tortoise

Tortoise food

The important point is to focus on is complete nutrition. This can be provided through a large variety of dark leafy greens and vitamin supplements or by providing one of the good pellet diets that are commonly available.

The suggested course of action is to feed a pellet diet in conjunction with a good mix of greens such as Floret salad and a complete calcium supplement. Find out more about diet here.

Tortoise housing

The housing can be as simple or as complex as you like. The important point here is to provide as much space as possible.

Male and female Marginated tortoises

Tortoise table

One popular enclosure for a tortoise is the Tortoise Table. This is no more than a box. It can be made of wood, plastic, metal or glass. You can buy a tortoise table.

Many use and suggest an old book case or chest of drawers. These are not recommended because the back of the book case/base of the drawers are usually made of flimsy material that falls apart easily when wet.

It’s suggest that if you go the route of the tortoise table that you have one constructed or construct one yourself.

The problem of the tortoise table is that it’s difficult to maintain that ever so important temperature if you live in a cool home.

Many keepers who live in cooler climates cover a good portion of the tortoise table in order to retain the much needed heat.

Tortoise vivarium

Another housing option is a vivarium. This can be a specially made container that has an opening either in the top or in one of the sides.

The use of vivariums is hotly debated in tortoise keeping. Many keepers, myself included, believe vivariums are essential for properly raising a tortoise in the first few years because it’s easier to maintain a good environmental temperature and conditions.

Many other keepers believe vivs should not be used for any tortoise. I firmly believe that vivs are perfectly acceptable for all species of tortoise as do other keepers.

The important point to remember when using a viv is to make sure that there is enough air circulation.

A good rule of thumb is to provide 15 cm² per m². An example would be that if you have a 1m² enclosure, two 2 cm² holes in the side and four 2 cm² holes in the length would be more than enough air circulation.

A fish tank is also acceptable provided that the top is partially open to allow for air circulation.

What bedding to tortoises need?

Once the housing has been decided it is time to add substrate.

You can use any substrate such as soil, sand soil mix, sand, coconut coir (ground coconut husk), aspen bedding and wood chips.

It’s suggested to use a substrate that is not too coarse or not too fine. The tortoise should be able to burrow into the substrate to cover itself.

Hatchlings and smaller tortoises seem to like this activity best. Along with the substrate you can add furniture such as logs and rocks but be careful when placing furniture so as not to make it too crowded.

Also be mindful when placing structures in the enclosure so as not to provide objects that will aid the tortoise in flipping itself over by allowing the tortoise to climb and fall on its back.

Best house tortoise

Any tortoise can live indoors or outdoors. The smaller species will be easier to maintain indoors but no tortoise is better than any other in regards to living indoors or out.

It’s always better to keep any tortoise outdoors whenever possible but this is not always possible due to cold weather.

All tortoises can be maintained indoors very successfully for their entire life. It just takes a little more preparation and care.

Best cold weather tortoise

There is no tortoise that is really cold tolerant although the Testudo can handle cooler temperatures better than most other tortoises.

The Star Tortoise is the only one mentioned that is the least cold tolerant. It cannot handle temperatures below 30°C very well where it can develop respiratory problems.

Hopefully this brief guide will help the new tortoise keeper with the decisions they have to make before bringing home a pet tortoise.