Brumation Mysteries
The precise combination of 'triggers' that tell Mediterranean tortoises it is time to dig down for brumation (hibernation) over winter...
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tortoisetrust
Nov 211 min read
Renewal
Recovery of natural vegetation after drought and rain. A short video report:
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tortoisetrust
Nov 165 min read
Brumation (Hibernation) of Juvenile Tortoises
Juveniles and adults live in the same locations, in the same habitat, and experience exactly the same environmental conditions. They...
309 views0 comments
tortoisetrust
Nov 37 min read
Companions for Existing Tortoises - Yes or No?
Understanding The Risks A recipe for disaster: multiple different Testudo from differing origins (North Africa and Turkey) mixed at high...
205 views0 comments
tortoisetrust
Oct 87 min read
Poppies: Feed or 'No Feed'?
The Tortoise Mythbusters - Episode 8 Poppies are often listed as a 'no feed', but certainly some species are eaten by tortoises in the...
221 views1 comment
tortoisetrust
Oct 46 min read
Some Common Autumn Hibernation Problems
A. C. Highfield This article is a brief guide to how to handle some very common problems that arise in autumn during the period when...
304 views0 comments
tortoisetrust
Sep 2817 min read
Promoting proper bone development: Choosing and Using Supplements
This is a simplified, but updated, article including advice incorporating our latest research, experience and observations. Obtaining...
751 views0 comments
tortoisetrust
Sep 1714 min read
Overwintering Tortoises Successfully
Andy C. Highfield A typical 'Tortoise Table' setup with overhead basking lamp 'Overwintering' is a term that is used to describe keeping...
1,189 views0 comments
tortoisetrust
Sep 134 min read
Constructing a Simple Open-topped Tortoise Enclosure
By Sue Brooks 'Tortoise-tables' offer many advantages over enclosed vivariums. Here's how to make your own! This simple enclosure can be...
556 views0 comments
tortoisetrust
Sep 69 min read
Hydration and Your Tortoise
There is a considerable amount of misunderstanding on the subject of the water requirement of tortoises. This is unfortunate, as a number...
1,168 views0 comments
tortoisetrust
Aug 3119 min read
Safer Hibernation & Your Tortoise
This is the current and updated version of the classic booklet of which well over 100,000 copies were distributed free of charge in...
1,428 views0 comments
tortoisetrust
Aug 2913 min read
Refrigerator Hibernation (Brumation) Methods for Tortoises & Turtles
Andy C. Highfield Refrigerators have been used successfully to artificially hibernate (brumate, in the case of reptiles) many animals....
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tortoisetrust
Aug 284 min read
Notes on Refrigerator Hibernation for Mediterranean Tortoises with temperature and weight graphs
Kate Bradley This is a very useful and important article that we first published on our old website. As it still remains highly relevant...
465 views1 comment
tortoisetrust
Aug 2515 min read
Practical outdoor habitats and pen design in colder climates
One of the early experimental 'mini-greenhouse' units from 1999-2000 in a sloped, well-drained outdoor pen planted with an edible...
2,147 views0 comments
tortoisetrust
Jul 285 min read
Aestivation: The Environmental 'Triggers' in Tortoises
We know that many species of tortoises do aestivate (summer dormancy) over the heat of summer, but there has long been uncertainly as to...
380 views0 comments
tortoisetrust
Jul 710 min read
Unnaturally High Growth rates in Tortoises: Causes and Consequences
Massively accelerated captive growth in a young Testudo horsfieldii (Russian tortoise). Metabolic bone disease (MBD) occurs if a...
1,877 views1 comment
tortoisetrust
Jun 301 min read
How arid-habitat tortoises survive
Extreme heat. No water. No food. How do they do it?
447 views0 comments
tortoisetrust
Jun 119 min read
The Climate Frame Terrarium UPDATED
With natural UV-B and Infra-Red Super-effective outdoor housing for tortoises in colder climates Lumisol UV-B transmitting sheet on...
3,464 views1 comment
tortoisetrust
May 1124 min read
Captive Care of the Russian Tortoise Testudo horsfieldii
The Horsfield's tortoise: Testudo horsfieldii (GRAY) 1844 - History in the pet trade, ecology and biology, captive breeding,...
7,060 views1 comment
tortoisetrust
Apr 2830 min read
Feeding Tortoises: Avoiding Dietary Disasters
A wild Testudo hermanni hermanni grazes on low-lying vegetation. Updated Tortoise Trust guidelines for: Feeding Leopard tortoises -...
4,426 views0 comments
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