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...

Beautifully grown Testudo hermanni raised on near-natural diets with the maximum possible exposure to natural UV-B and solar infra-red...

A very common feeding method in captivity. The basic diet here is great (edible 'weeds' and plenty of calcium) but what about the...

Andy C. Highfield Virkon-S is one widely available disinfection agent used by reptile keepers Health, Safety and Infection Control It is...

Tortoises are challenging animals and require very specialised care, including the correct diet and housing facilities. We strive to...

The month of May is an important time in Testudo graeca graeca habitats throughout much of North Africa and Southern Spain. The 'great...

Severely deformed juvenile C. sulcata with classic 'pyramiding' and darkened, thick keratin Influence of environmental humidity and...

A. C. Highfield Wildflowers, tortoises, and some interesting observations on microclimates, temperatures, and UV-B exposures! There has...

One from our 'Historic' series! This was originally released on VHS (remember that?) and then DVD way back in 1999! Hence, the video...

Some of the fascinating strategies wild tortoises use when experiencing very heavy rain in their natural habitats. The substrate, while...

Caesalpinia gilliesii seed pods are toxic to tortoises Different species of animal vary widely in their susceptibilities to individual...

The Tortoise Myth Busters - Episode 8 As usual, let's start by looking at some of the (very confident!) misleading advice seen on this...