Testudo Tortoise Care

Species Overview

Common Names: Greek, Hermann’s, Marginated, and Russian Tortoises
Scientific Names: Testudo spp. and Agrionemys horsfieldii
Adult Size:7–11+ inches (varies by species)
Lifespan in Captivity:50–70 years — a lifetime commitment!

Housing & Enclosure

Indoor Housing

• Enclosure: Minimum 4’ x 2’ “tortoise table” or large plastic tub.

• Avoid glass aquariums, which cause stress (tortoises may repeatedly try to walk through the glass).

• Commercial options include Waterland Tubs or the Zoo Med Tortoise House.

Outdoor Housing

• Size: At least 4’ x 4’ predator-proof enclosure for adults.

• Climate Considerations: Outdoor housing works best in warm, dry climates. In humid regions, be cautious — excessive moisture predisposes tortoises to shell infections and respiratory disease.

• Provide shady areas, hiding spots, and edible plants for enrichment.

Substrate

• Indoors: Cypress mulch or coconut husk chip.

• Outdoors: Safe topsoil and grass.

• Avoid: Gravel, sand, cedar, pine, or aspen shavings — these can cause injury or impaction.

Temperature & Heating

• Preferred Temperature Zone:85–95°F

• Indoor Gradient:

  • Warm side: 85–90°F

  • Cool side: No cooler than 70°F

• Outdoors: Active as long as temps stay above 70°F; will retreat to cooler burrows in hot weather.

• Important: Avoid hot rocks — they can burn your tortoise and don’t heat the habitat adequately.

• Always monitor with a digital or infrared thermometer; thermostats are recommended for safety.

Lighting

Tortoises require UVB lighting to metabolize calcium and maintain healthy shells and bones.

• Use reptile-specific fluorescent UVB tubes (10.0 strength recommended) or mercury vapor bulbs.

• Bulbs should be replaced every 6–12 months (they stop producing UVB long before they burn out).

• Position bulbs within 12 inches of the basking site.

• Provide a natural day/night cycle: ~14 hours of light, 10 hours of darkness (use a timer).

Diet & Nutrition

Daily Staples

• Shrubs, weeds, edible forbs, prickly pear cactus pads & fruits

• Dark leafy greens (collards, dandelion, mustard, endive, escarole)

• Squash varieties (acorn, butternut, spaghetti, summer, etc.)

Occasional Foods

• Small amounts of fruits (berries, melons, apples, pears)

• Vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, and pumpkins

• Beans, clover, pea sprouts, grape leaves

Rarely Feed

• Broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, bananas, parsley, lettuce (red or romaine), tomatoes, sweet potatoes (yams), and others — offer sparingly as treats.

Never Feed

• Meat, insects, dairy, bread, bran, spinach*, onions, garlic, mushrooms, pasta, iceberg lettuce, or processed foods.

Juveniles (<2 years old): Offer Mazuri LS Tortoise Diet pellets (soaked in water) every 2–3 days to support healthy growth.

Supplements:

• Dust food with calcium carbonate powder twice weekly.

• Provide fresh water daily.

Hydration & Soaking

Soak tortoises in shallow, warm water for 15 minutes 2–3 times per week to encourage drinking, urination, and defecation.

Enrichment & Accessories

Indoor

• Multiple hide boxes are placed throughout the enclosure.

• One hide should be a humid hide with moist sphagnum moss to promote proper shell health.

Outdoor

• Provide secure artificial burrows and edible plants for shade and foraging.

Cleaning & Disinfection

• Remove droppings daily.

• Clean and disinfect water and food bowls at least weekly.

• Deep-clean the enclosure every 1–2 months with a reptile-safe disinfectant (e.g., Rescue) or dilute bleach solution (1 tbsp bleach per 1 cup water), rinse thoroughly, and let air-dry before returning your tortoise.

Key Tips

• Testudo tortoises thrive with outdoor access when the climate allows.

• Consistency with temperature, UVB lighting, and diet is essential for long-term health.

• Schedule annual wellness exams— these long-lived tortoises benefit from regular veterinary care to catch problems early.

📞 Call us: 480-530-0370
🌐 Learn more: www.treeoflifeexotics.vet

Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center can help you set up the perfect enclosure and provide ongoing care to keep your tortoise thriving for decades.