Welcome to the Mediterranean Tortoise Care guide

key facts

Testudo spp (Hermann’s, Russian/Horsefields, Spur/Greek, Marginated)

  • Lifespan: up to 150 years (species dependant)
  • Puberty: 9-12 years
  • Don’t need a male to lay eggs
  • Solitary animals
Galapagos Giant Tortoise Illustration

enclosure

  • Minimum 1.2x2m for a solo tortoise
  • Areas to hide, things to climb over, digging areas
  • If kept outside need a heated area, insulated and contains suitable UV lighting
    • Ensure escape and predator proof area
    • Ensure flooring under substrate (such as wire mesh) to prevent them from digging out
  • Substrate: sterilised soil or similar is best
    • Avoid wood chips, sawdust shavings, pellets and newspaper
  • Temp:
    • Basking 32-34°C
      • Important for digestion
      • Not always possible naturally in NZ summer so providing basking area outside is recommended
    • Cool end 22-24°C
    • Temp not to drop less than 12-14°C at night
      • Can lead to immunosuppression
      • May need to bring them in at night to provide these temperatures
      • If needing to provide heat during the night do not use a light emitting heat source
    • Using a temperature gun to check daily is recommended rather than relying on thermostats
    • Also recommended to have a thermometer at tortoise height at the hot and cool end of the enclosure
  • UVB
    • Arcadia proT5 10% (minimum)
    • Changed every 6 months
    • Distance from tortoise will be specified by manufacturer
    • 12hr per day during summer
  • Humidity: 30-50%
    • Provide humid hides, especially important for those that are unable to dig underground (where it is more humid)
    • Have a hygrometer to measure within enclosure

Diet

  • Herbivores→ weed/plant based diet as much as possible
  • Chalk blocks/cuttlefish bone ad lib in enclosure
  • Reptile multivitamin 3x a week of all food is suggested
    • Sprinkled onto food
    • E.g. Repashy Calcium Plus or Flukers Reptile Liquid
  • Dish of water large enough for the tortoise to get in and drink, but shallow enough that they can climb out if they fall in
  • Feeding off a slate can keep beak down
  • Soak 3x a week in warm water for 15-20min

hibernation

  • Only if you have owned the tortoise for >12 months and it is not sick or a juvenile (>3yr)
  • Vet check prior is recommended