How to Keep a Turtle at Home

They can be safely kept at home, they keep a lot of company and like other Pets also have a therapeutic effectThe important thing is that they have the right environment to live in. domestic turtle It can be an animal capable of spreading kindness and good humor throughout the home, thanks to its extremely docile nature. Furthermore, we remember that it can even reach over 120 years of lifeDon't forget that turtles have a vital need to hide, and that's why they dig. Create a shelter, even with a small box, where the tortoise can hide whenever it wants. And don't forget to include forage plants for its diet.

Index of topics

Land tortoise: characteristics

Tortoises are members of the Testudinidae family, have a predominantly vegetarian diet, and have a protective shell. The upper part is called shell, the lower part piastrone.

There are over 60 breeds in the world, he explains. Life as a TurtleEach with its own peculiarities. The average lifespan is around 70-80 years, but in some cases, tortoises can even exceed 120 years. It's no coincidence that they are the longest-lived vertebrates.

The races

Tortoises are very peaceful reptiles, varying in size, with excellent eyesight but not great hearing. Their sense of direction and ability to distinguish shapes and colors are excellent. Here are some of the most common breeds listed by Life as a Turtle:

Tortoise Hermanni which includes two subspecies, or Testudo Hermanni Hermanni, the most common in Italy, which can even exceed 100 years of age. It is distinguished by a small yellow spot under the eye. And Testudo Hermanni Boettgeri, similar to the previous one but more widespread in the Balkans
Marginated Tortoise, native to Greece, of which there are 3 subspecies, namely Testudo Marginata Marginata, Marginata Sarda, Marginata Weissingeri
Greek Testudo
Russian or Horsfield's tortoise
Indian Star Tortoise
African Tortoise, at risk of extinction

How can you tell a male turtle from a female?

Turtle Life explains that males are generally smaller than females, so to tell them apart, it's important to look at their size. But also the size and shape of their tails, which tend to be more robust, longer, and thicker at the base in males, while females tend to be shorter.

Clinica Veterinaria Lainate also specifies that the nails on the front legs of males are longer than those of females.

Where to place it

Tortoises require suitable housing. An outdoor terrarium is fine in the garden, except during hibernation, which lasts an average of 20 weeks, when it's best to move them indoors. The terrarium must be spacious, well-organized and include a resting area, a feeding area, and a water area. In summer, when temperatures are higher, the turtle can also live outdoors.

Suitable habitat

Land turtles need enough space, with soil, to burrow and hide. Also, make sure the chosen location is warm, dry, and has adequate light. If the turtle is deficient in vitamin D, you can occasionally use a UVB lamp. For aquatic turtles, however, you need an aquarium with clean water, a dry area, and enough space to swim.

What does he eat?

The diet of tortoises is predominantly vegetarian. It is therefore necessary abound with herbs and forage plants and offer him limited quantities of various vegetables and greens. Fruit yes but littleTurtle Life also recommends adding cuttlefish bone to your turtle food because it's rich in calcium. If you buy food, make sure it's for land turtles and not aquatic turtles, as they have different needs.

What can't he eat?

For vegetarian tortoises, which are the majority, it is necessary to avoid:

meat and fish
leftovers from meals
desserts
bread
dairy product
pasta

Even fruit, although not prohibited, should be limited to a minimum. Be careful also with cooked vegetables, which should be avoided due to their consistency. And those "low in calcium and excessively protein-rich vegetables (beans and peas)", specifies Clinica Veterinaria Lainate. For specific species, it's always best to consult your veterinarian.

When it hibernates

Given that only specimens in excellent health and with sufficient body reserves can hibernate, the latter should take place at 5°C, explains Lainate Veterinary Clinic, never below 2°C or above 11°C. The turtle when the right time of year comes, and then from October to AprilIt can be buried on its own, but it's important to keep in mind that hibernating outside isn't without risks. This makes it more vulnerable to predator attacks, and it also poses a risk of drowning in heavy rains. So, it might be a good idea to bring it indoors. How long does hibernation last? About 20 weeks.

Where it is

Land tortoises can be purchased at authorized and officially recognized farms, which must issue a specific CITES document certifying their legal origin. In fact, these animals are protected by both national and international law. They can also be found in authorized trade fairs.

How much

Tortoise prices vary greatly depending on the species and other factors, including the rarity of the specimen. The most common and least expensive ones, while small, can cost around 100 €But the price increases considerably for the more particular specimens, even exceeding 1000 euros.

How to keep a turtle at home