How to Care for a Tortoise: Terrariums, Feeding and Care

Land tortoises are reptiles that we can find on almost every continent. They make excellent pets, although their growing popularity as pets has put their reproduction at risk, since most people usually have only one at home.

Because they are a wild and exotic animal, to take care of them and have them as pets we must imitate the conditions of their natural habitats. Each species has a different habitat, so it is necessary to advise yourself very well to know where your pet comes from.

There are about 16 genera of tortoises, which are divided to give way to approximately 60 different species. Land turtles are one of the oldest animals on the planet, since the first record of them is from the Triassic period (more than 200 million years ago). These are some of the most popular species of tortoises:

• Black tortoise: It is found in Europe, Asia and Africa and has 17 different subspecies. It belongs to the genus Testudo and it is the most extensive species of its genus. It is characterized by having a yellowish shell with olive green tones. They can live up to 60 years in the wild and weigh about 600 g.
• Mediterranean tortoise: we can find it only in Europe, it is diurnal and herbivorous. There are different subspecies in Italy, Spain and France, which have different morphologies. They can weigh between 400 and 800 g and usually have a yellow shell with very well defined dark spots.
• Argentine land turtle: This species is distributed in southern and central South America. It lives in semi-arid and arid habitats, although it can be found even in the cold landscapes of Patagonia. It is omnivorous and can reach between 26 and 32 cm long.
• Red-footed tortoise or morrocoy tortoise: it is a native species of the north of South America and Central America. It is characterized by having legs with red spots. Its shell is black with yellowish spots.
• Yellow-footed tortoiseRelated to the red-footed tortoise, the yellow-footed tortoise shares much of its habitat. Its legs have yellow spots and it can be up to 75 cm long. Like most land turtles in America, it is omnivorous.

Most species of tortoises are in Danger of extinction due to the destruction of their habitat, hunting and their increasing popularity as pets.

In our article How to know if my turtle is water or land we tell you the main differences between the two animals.

Many people believe that tortoises do not need much care, but the reality is that they need the same care as any other pet. Next, we give you all the necessary information to care for and keep these animals healthy and happy, so they can live and grow with optimal health.

Habitats and terrariums for tortoises

The first thing you should provide your turtle is a space with an ideal environment for it. The best is a garden, but if you live in an apartment you can create a habitat for it. You can buy him a terrarium for reptiles or make a home for it using a plastic box that is about 30 centimeters deep and 60×90 centimeters at the base. Consider the following tips to create the ideal habitat for your pet:

• Ideally, you should have the terrarium near a window where they can have access to the sun. If that’s not possible, put in a high-spectrum lamp that simulates sunlight, as they love to sunbathe.
• Provide a place where it can soak and fill it with water up to about 3 cm.
• Set out logs and stones for their entertainment, as they love to climb.
• You will need a dark shelter for sleeping, so you can create it yourself from a box or an overturned pot. You can put some sand on the base to make it feel comfortable.

Terrariums must have a controlled temperature that simulates the climatic conditions in which these animals live in wild conditions, especially during the months when temperatures drop. Most tortoises should live in a habitat that is between 27 and 30 ºC during the day. During the night, the temperature should drop a few degrees.

It is also important that you take care of the humidity level. Many species of tortoises live in climates with high humiditySo if you live in a place where the air tends to get dry, you can buy a humidifier so they live comfortably.

If you have a garden, you will only have to ensure that it has a container to soak in, as well as a place to hide and sleep. Keep an eye on your pet, as they could escape, as they are excellent excavators.

Never use a fish tank as terrariums for tortoises, as the heat is concentrated inside and the tortoise could die.

Hibernation of turtles

During winter, some species of turtles hibernate due to low temperatures. Hibernation is a controlled hypothermic state carried out by many species in order to better withstand the low temperatures that winter brings.

Because many species are native to tropical climates, some tortoises do not usually hibernate. It is not recommended that you take them to this state necessarily, since when they wake up they could have metabolism problems or die.

If you don’t live in a tropical climate and your tortoise comes from there, you should create a temperature-controlled environment during the cold months. In this way, it will not suffer in low temperatures and will always be able to live in its natural conditions.

If you have more questions about the hibernation of tortoises, always consult a veterinarian before disturbing the normal cycle of these charming animals.

Caring for the shell of a tortoise

In order for your turtle to display its shell in the best possible conditions, there are a number of factors to take into account:

• Sunlight: it is necessary for tortoises to sunbathe for at least 15 minutes a day, so that their shell remains healthy and strong with the help of vitamin D.
• Feeding: a good, varied and balanced diet is essential so that they have the necessary nutrients to maintain the hardness of the shell.
• Minerals: turtles need calcium and phosphorus. Thanks to these minerals, the shell can remain in good condition without softening.
• HabitatA good habitat will provide your tortoise with health and well-being for its shell. Remember to offer her a space where she can move around properly and exercise so she doesn’t get stressed.
• Shell care: Regarding cleaning the shell of a land turtle, this should be done once or twice a week if you live in a garden. If you live indoors, you can clean it once a week. Simply pour water over it and remove the dirt with the help of a small brush. Never use soaps or other cleaning or grooming products.

In our article How to care for the shell of a land turtle, we explain more about the care of one of the most important parts of your pet.

The most important thing in a tortoise is its diet. Depending on the species, these animals can be herbivores or omnivores, so make sure you know the species of your turtle to know what type of diet it follows.

For the most part, these reptiles feed on vegetables and fruits. In some cases, they supplement their diet with protein of animal origin. If that is the case with your pet, you should provide him with a rich diet that also meets this need.

With a good nutrition, you will avoid diseases in their skin and shell, as they need a certain amount of nutrients to stay in good health.

Although you have surely heard that lettuce is what they have the most to eat, since they love it, a diet based on lettuce causes a lack of vitamin A. Wild herbs and leaves are healthier than lettuce leaves, since they have more fiber and more closely resemble the diet of these reptiles in the wild. This is the feeding land turtles:

Vegetables for tortoises

The green leafy vegetables they make up about 70% of their diet. In species of the genus Geochelone, these make up 90% of your diet. You can give him sheets of:

• Dandelion
• Clover
• Chard
• Lettuce
• Fresh grass
• Leaves of…