A Testudo graeca overwhelmed by multiple secondary bacterial infections of the mouth, skin and eyes after contracting a highly contagious strain of Chelonian Herpes-virus. Andy Highfield Following on from our recent articles on the critical importance of having effective disinfection and quarantine protocols, we felt it equally important that keepers fully understand what happens if these should fail. Here are two real-life reports that detail exactly how traumatic this can b

By S. B. Fairbrass Recently imported Kinixys belliana (Bells Hingeback tortoises) suffering from a variety of health problems and potentially carrying unknown pathogens. All rescue centres need very high standards of disinfection, hygiene and robust quarantine protocols if epidemic spread is to be avoided. This is a reprint of an original article that appeared in the Tortoise Trust Newsletter, 1991, Issue 4. It was written by someone with a professional background in infectio

Centrochelys sulcata, The African Spurred tortoise, exits a burrow. Andy. C. Highfield From a species very rarely seen only 50 or 60 years ago, to a species that is now kept and bred in captivity in astounding numbers. In some ways this might be viewed as a success, but in other respects it has created huge welfare problems. The African Spurred tortoises grow to be very large tortoises indeed, just behind the Seychelles giant tortoises and the Galapagos giant tortoises. Typic

Humans have affected original, natural habitats in many ways. We call these anthropogenic changes. One these is by introducing agricultural species (from entirely different continents in some cases) into wild tortoise habitats. Wild tortoise species that would never, naturally, encounter such items. In addition, we change the very nature of these agricultural plant species by selectively enhancing them for increased size and sugar content. What are the impacts and implication

Perfectly healthy wild growth. in a Testudo graeca graeca. Most captive tortoises are not so fortunate, however, and deformed, damaged examples vastly outnumber healthy ones. Poor quality advice and misleading information is a major contributor to this problem. We are increasingly seeing recommendations that people should rely upon ChatGPT and other, similar AI sources when they have questions about how to care for captive animals, or to learn about conditions certain species

An Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) hatches in one of the incubators described here While you can buy commercial models, the "low cost" designs tend not to be very precise or reliable, while the "professional" designs are incredibly expensive. The good news is that you can make an incubator that will outperform all but the most expensive professional models at very reasonable cost and which is, in addition, very easy to build. by Andy C. Highfield This article covers bu

A female Testudo hermanni carefully positions her eggs Failure to provide adequate nesting sites in captivity can have serious consequences for heath, including an increased danger of egg-retention leading to possible fatal peritonitis. The lack of acceptable nesting sites can also lead to increased stress, and negatively impact upon captive breeding success. Tortoise nesting behaviour can be broken down into several distinct phases: Nest site selection Preparation of the nes

There is a lot of concern (and misinformation) about how tortoises handle potentially dangerous high temperatures in the wild. No-one comes to hose them down or soak them! It can be weeks and even months between rains. So how do they really do it? By the careful and clever use of behaviours designed not only to gain heat when required (basking) but also by other behaviours that are highly effective at losing heat when necessary. This can involve shallow scrapes, as used by Me

Perfect growth and development in a wild Testudo graeca graeca in her natural habitat. 100% wild plant diet and seasonal feeding and activity patterns. Andy C. Highfield Certain tortoise species in the wild typically consume a range of over 150 different plants during the course of a year ; the precise dietary makeup varies massively on a seasonal basis, as the plants come in and out of season. We have a very good video on this! The seasonal changes in vegetation within Test

A summary of a lecture given to the Sociedad Herpetologica Velenciana Congreso Tortugas on October 30 2010 with additional links and updated practical advice. A. C . Highfield - Tortoise Trust English text first published online Nov 1 2010. Typical "Pyramiding: deformity in a juvenile Centrochelys sulcata (African Spurred tortoise) We are republishing this here with additional comments by request as it is by far the most complete explanation of the true causes of 'pyramiding'

A juvenile of approximately 3 years in typical undergrowth A. C. Highfield We recently published a very comprehensive article that sought to correct some of the many false "facts" and misleading claims about what levels of humidity wild tortoises really experience in their natural habitat: How do Hatchling and Juvenile Mediterranean Tortoises Really Behave in the Wild and What Humidity Levels do they Really Experience? Myth Busters Episode 12. The internet and social media is

A wild juvenile Testudo graeca in its natural habitat. Do they really spend 75-80% of their time hidden in "moist" vegetation or burrows at 80-90% Relative Humidity? Andy C. Highfield We have covered this general topic several times, from various angles, and we have also attempted to set the record straight by answering questions on various tortoise keeping groups and forums over many years. Unfortunately, no matter how many times we provide verifiable, factual and accurate

"Social media gives legions of idiots the right to speak when they once only spoke at a bar after a glass of wine, without harming the community... but now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner. It's the invasion of the idiots.” ― Umberto Eco: novelist, critic, philosopher. (1932-2016) FACTS matter. Opinions are free and everyone has them... but can they really back them up with objective measurements and unassailable logic? Andy C. Highfield You may well

This box turtle is in hiding... with good reason! In an ideal world all exotic vets would be fully informed about every possible species that comes through the door. They would not only have a thorough grasp of diagnosis, surgery and pharmacology, but also be able to give reliable advice on identification, feeding, housing requirements and behaviours. That is a pretty tall order, however, and we do not live in an ideal world. Exotic vets are expected to know virtually everyth

Tunisian tortoises showing typical shell, head and leg colour and patterns Tunisian tortoises belong to the spur-thighed ( Testudo graeca ) group of tortoises, but in 1990 they were described as a new species, nabeulensis , on the basis of their unique appearance and certain other morphological characteristics. In most older texts, they are still referred to as ' Testudo graeca ', however they are now widely recognised as at least a separate subspecies, ' Testudo graeca nabeu

We often think of substrates purely in the context of meeting physiological needs - but in reality - they must also meet the...

A typical glass-style 'tortoise beginner kit' as often recommended by pet stores. This is, in reality, far too small, fails to offer a suitable thermal environment and also includes unsuitable substrates, inadequate lighting and heating, a poor quality unreliable thermometer and damaging pellet foods. Sadly, however, thousands of new keepers are mislead into purchasing combinations such as this. Tortoises raised in such units have incredibly high rates of metabolic bone disea

Giant tortoises soak in a natural pond - but should it be carrot juice? Carrot juice soaks are often suggested on pet-keeper groups. It is frankly bizarre that such a question even arises, but it does, regularly. We'll get the easy part out of the way right up front: No. Absolutely not. You would think that this would be obvious, but sadly not. As usual we will start by reviewing what various pet-keeping forums and social media groups that routinely advise this strange prac

A Russian tortoise emerges from a moist fibrous substrate, but is this species-appropriate? We find out. A. C. Highfield A relatively...

This is a very arid, very hot, and for much of the year a very dry habitat indeed. The transition from the lush and green vegetation of...