When you have decided that a tortoise is the right pet for you it is then time to decide which species you should buy. Many factors must be considered when choosing a species, such as:
Here we will look at some of the species which are commonly kept as well as a few which are a little rarer. In this section you will find a description of each species along with its adult size, diet and any special requirements it may have.
Hermanns Tortoises - (Testudo hermanni)
Hermanns Tortoises are one of the most commonly kept tortoises and are an exellent choice for a beginner. These tortoises are found throughout mainland Europe. There are 2 subspecies currently recognised. They are:
Some also expect there could be more subspecies as well, but as little research has been carried out on hermanns compared to the similar Testudo graeca few of these possible subspecies have been recognised.
These tortoises are easy to care for and as with most species require a good diet of weeds such as Dandelions, Plantain and sow thistle. When fully grown they reach approximately 20cm in length.This species would hibernate in the wild and it is reccomended that they are hibernated in captivity.
Spur-thighed Tortoises - (Testudo graeca)
Spur-thighed tortoises are very similar to hermanns and there care is pratically identical. This tortoise can be found through much of Southern Europe as well as Northern Africa. There are many recognised subspecies the most common being Testudo graeca ibera. Again like hermanns their diet should consist of lots of weeds. Maximum size varies in each subspecies from about 10cm up to about 25+cm. Some of the North African sub species do not hibernate so research should be done into your sub species to be sure.
Marginated Tortoises - (Testudo marginata)
The Marginated is the largest of the mediterranean tortoises reaching up too 30cm in length. They are found in mainland greece as well as on some greek islands. There diet should again consist of a variety of weeds. This tortoise also hibernates.
Horsfields Tortoises - (Testudo Horsfieldi)
Horsfields Tortoises are perhaps the hardiest of the mediterranean species. They reach approximately 20cm in length when fully grown. In the wild they have a wide range through Russia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Horsfields can survive extreme heat and extreme cold and so adapt well to most conditions. They will not however tolerate damp conditions and will quickl waste away if kept as such. A problem with horsfields is that they are easy to overfeed as in the wild they would only be awake for about 3 months a year, whereas in captivity they have access to food as and when they want. It is therefore important to give them days off being fed to ensure smooth and slow growth. This species is also said to have one of the best personalities of any tortoises and develop fantastic characters overtime. One word of warning with Horsfields is that they are very good diggers and so care must be taken to ensure outdoor enclousures are secure. A good way to keep them from digging out is to bury wire mesh below the substrate. This species also Hibernates, but it has been found they are difficult to 'settle' in hibernation and often scratch there way out of cardboard boxes, so wooden ones are often necessary.
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