today is a representative of the last of their kind, a precious life to be respected. There are many reasons why tortoises are easily threatened by over-exploitation. Most tortoises require at least nine years to reach sexual maturity and some species produce only small numbers of hatchlings, all of which are subject to predation. The consequences of collecting or killing adults from shrinking natural habitats are obvious. Depending on the numbers of adults removed, it can take years for a breeding population to recover—assuming that there are enough tortoises left in the habitat.
Today, tortoise hobbyists are in a unique position. We are still fortunate enough to be able to purchase, own, and work with a variety of species, and we can help delay the decline of tortoise populations by developing self-sustaining tortoise populations in captivity. Further, we can actively contribute to the creation and implementation of sound wildlife legislation. We have a special position of responsibility. Tortoises are not living toys. They are the last of their kind.
CHAPTER 1:
GENERAL INFORMATION: BEFORE YOU BUY
Climate
Tortoises originate from temperate climates, such as Europe and Russia; from semi-arid regions, such as East Africa; and from humid tropical climates, such as Southeast Asia and West Africa. When selecting a tortoise, consider whether you will be able to provide the optimal conditions required for its care. To a significant degree, this will depend on the climate in which you live. In several regions of the United States, you can keep various tortoise species outdoors during part of the year. For example, red-footed tortoises, yellow-footed tortoises, and elongated tortoises can be successfully kept and bred outdoors in south Florida with relatively little investment in their facilities. African spurred and leopard tortoises are successfully kept and bred outdoors year-round in Southern California and Arizona, as long as they have access to heated shelters during the cold and wet days of winter. Temperate-climate tortoises require a cool down period in the winter in order to breed and remain healthy. If you live in an area with cool winters, it will be easier to meet this requirement. When selecting a tortoise, you must consider your ability to provide suitable facilities and to keep the animals outdoors during at least part of the year.
If you cannot keep tortoises outdoors, you must simulate the essential features of their environment indoors. This requires adequate space, landscaping, artificial lights, heating systems, and, in some cases, cooling systems.
Size
All tortoises require space in order to thrive, so it is critical that you choose a species of appropriate size. One of the hardiest and most readily available species is the African spurred tortoise (Geochelone sulcata), which is now bred by the thousands in the United States. These tortoises have a lot going for them, including looks and personality, but they quickly grow into large pets. Adults require an enclosure equivalent to a room measuring 12 feet by 12 feet, and a larger enclosure is preferable. Although they don’t grow quite as quickly, leopard tortoises (Geochelone pardalis) also require the equivalent of a large portion of a room—at least an 8-foot by 8-foot enclosure—as adults. Anything smaller is inhumane and could threaten their health and long-term survival. Small species, such as pancake tortoises, star tortoises, Egyptian tortoises, and the European tortoises, are better choices for owners with limited space.
Most tortoises, like this pair of spurred tortoises, will eventually eat out of your hands.
Hardiness
Some tortoises are more difficult to keep than others. For example, star tortoises (Geochelone elegans) and forest hingeback tortoises (Kinixys erosa) are best left to experienced tortoise keepers because they tend to be more delicate and require more precise care. On the other hand, Russian tortoises, captive-bred European tortoises, African spurred tortoises, and leopard tortoises are generally good choices for beginners. In warm regions such as south Florida, red-footed tortoises are also a good choice.
Personality
As any experienced tortoise keeper will inform you, tortoises have varying personalities; some are shy, some are outgoing, some are aggressive, and others are rather impassive. Every once in a while, you may find an exceptional animal that surprises you with its responsiveness and intelligence. Nonetheless, some generalizations can be made.
Red-footed tortoises are attractive, personable, and reasonably hardy. Owners must provide proper heating and at least 70 percent relative humidity.
Some commonly available and fairly inexpensive species rank high in personality. Greek tortoises and Russian tortoises tend to be very personable and alert. They will rush to get food, and most will eventually eat out of your hands and climb on your shoes to beg. Red-footed tortoises have pleasant, outgoing personalities—among the best, if that is what you want. African spurred tortoises are intelligent and personable, to a degree, but they often remain somewhat wary. Occasional individuals can be very friendly animals. Leopard tortoises are moderately personable, but they tend to be relatively indifferent to their human owners. Hingeback tortoises also don’t have very interactive personalities. On the other hand, Burmese brown tortoises usually do. Galapagos tortoises, though expensive, actually like to be petted and rank among the most personable tortoises. Aldabras, however, another large species of tortoise, are not nearly as friendly and have been described as dull.
Of course, there are always exceptions to any rule. For the most part, you will reap what you sow. When you obtain a baby tortoise, encourage interaction. Regularly attempt gentle physical contact by petting its head or neck area and hand-feeding it on occasion. These techniques will provide an environment for the more interactive and extroverted side of your tortoise’s personality to emerge.
Mature spurred tortoises have numerous growth rings on their cara-pace. As they age, tortoises generate new shell at the outer edges of their scutes.
Longevity
Tortoises rank among the longest lived land vertebrates. The oldest Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca) on record lived for 127 years. The large Galapagos (Geochelone elephantopus) and Aldabras (Geochelone gigantea) tortoises can live more than 100 years. There is a twenty-five year record for the pancake tortoise and thirty-year record for the leopard tortoise. Red-footed and hingeback tortoises can live more than twenty years. In short, tortoises have the potential for long lives.
Wild-Caught versus Captive-Bred Tortoises
As a rule, captive-bred tortoises are a better bet than wild-caught animals. Most importantly, they are less likely to be parasitized or diseased. You will also know their age and something about their background. Captive-raised tortoises also tend to breed more readily than wild-caught animals, which may take several years to establish a reproductive pattern. The only possible drawback to captive-bred animals is that hatchlings of several species can be delicate and may require optimal conditions. In most cases, it is worthwhile for the beginning tortoise keeper to pay extra for larger and older captive-bred animals (at least six months to a year old). On the other hand, meticulous attention to captive conditions and diet allows most herpetoculturists to successfully raise baby tortoises.
For experienced keepers, wild-caught tortoises can provide an increased and more diversified genetic pool for captive-breeding. However, experience is generally
