How to Care for a Greek Land Tortoise
Despite its common name, the Greek tortoise or Mediterranean spur thigh tortoise (Testudo graeca) has a natural range extending far beyond Greece to include much of Europe and northern Africa. These are relatively small tortoises, only measuring up to six to 10 inches in length as adults. Tortoise expert A. C. Highfield, in "Practical Encyclopedia of Keeping and Breeding Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles," states that Greek tortoises are "environmentally sensitive and cannot tolerate any mishandling." Most pet Greek tortoises do not survive to their potential lifespan of over 50 years. This is primarily due to an improper habitat, diet and exposure to diseases, all preventable with knowledgeable owners.
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Things You'll Need
- Outdoor habitat
- Vegetation
- Reptile vitamins or cuttlebone
- Reptile veterinarian
Instructions
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Provide a large outdoor habitat (15 to 20 square feet for a pair of tortoises) with a sandy, well-drained substrate. In this outdoor habitat, allow natural grasses to grow for the tortoises to graze on. The Tortoise Trust states, "This species is in no way suitable for exclusive indoor maintenance in vivarium tanks." Greek tortoises can handle any climate similar to their native habitat, where temperatures can range from over 100 degrees F. to well below 50 degrees F.
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Do not house your Greek tortoise with any other species of tortoise. This reduces their risk of being exposed to a disease to which they are not resistant.
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Feed a vegetation-based diet that includes naturally growing grasses, fresh, leafy greens from the garden or grocery store, flowers and fruits as treats. Provide cuttlebones or sprinkle the tortoises' food twice a week with a reptile vitamin. The Tortoise Trust strongly advises against feeding any animal protein as this causes "terminal renal problems and, in the case of juveniles, will lead to artificially accelerated growth and guaranteed Metabolic Bone Disease (e.g., 'lumpy shell syndrome')."
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Take your tortoise to a reptile veterinarian yearly. This allows you to uncover potential health problems before they become serious. Also, ask your reptile veterinarian if your tortoise is healthy enough to hibernate and about the procedure for hibernation.
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Tips & Warnings
Greek tortoises will become less active when temperatures are above 82 degrees, according to Highfield. In extreme heat they will burrow and aestivate (enter a state of dormancy somewhat akin to hibernation) and naturally hibernate in cold winters.
