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Should I soak my tortoise in carrot juice ? Myth-Busters: Episode 11 (and why AI can be bad for your tortoise's health)
Giant tortoises soak in a natural pond - but should it be carrot juice? Carrot juice soaks are often suggested on pet-keeper groups. It...

tortoisetrust
Aug 146 min read
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Coco Coir Substrates for Testudo Species: Myth Busters Episode 10: UPDATED
A Russian tortoise emerges from a moist fibrous substrate, but is this species-appropriate? We find out. A. C. Highfield A relatively...

tortoisetrust
Jul 2615 min read
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Hot and Dry. Wild Testudo graeca graeca habitat in July.
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...

tortoisetrust
Jul 201 min read
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Member's Housing Gallery
Beautifully grown Testudo hermanni raised on near-natural diets with the maximum possible exposure to natural UV-B and solar infra-red...

tortoisetrust
Jul 135 min read
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The Tortoise Myth-Busters: Episode 9 - How much to feed?
A very common feeding method in captivity. The basic diet here is great (edible 'weeds' and plenty of calcium) but what about the...

tortoisetrust
Jun 2512 min read
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Disinfection and Hygiene for Tortoise Keepers
Andy C. Highfield Virkon-S is one widely available disinfection agent used by reptile keepers Health, Safety and Infection Control It is...

tortoisetrust
Jun 2310 min read
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REHOMING (see active cases below)
Tortoises are challenging animals and require very specialised care, including the correct diet and housing facilities. We strive to...

tortoisetrust
Jun 204 min read
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Turning Point
The month of May is an important time in Testudo graeca graeca habitats throughout much of North Africa and Southern Spain. The 'great...

tortoisetrust
Jun 63 min read
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Pyramiding: Misunderstandings, Misrepresentations and some very strange research methods.
Severely deformed juvenile C. sulcata with classic 'pyramiding' and darkened, thick keratin Influence of environmental humidity and...

tortoisetrust
Jun 112 min read
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Mediterranean Tortoise Microclimates and Basking Behaviour in Spring
A. C. Highfield Wildflowers, tortoises, and some interesting observations on microclimates, temperatures, and UV-B exposures! There has...

tortoisetrust
May 97 min read
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Incubation of Mediterranean Tortoise Eggs
One from our 'Historic' series! This was originally released on VHS (remember that?) and then DVD way back in 1999! Hence, the video...

tortoisetrust
Apr 286 min read
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Tortoise Behaviour in Rain
Some of the fascinating strategies wild tortoises use when experiencing very heavy rain in their natural habitats. The substrate, while...

tortoisetrust
Apr 231 min read
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Toxic Plants and Tortoises
Caesalpinia gilliesii seed pods are toxic to tortoises Different species of animal vary widely in their susceptibilities to individual...

tortoisetrust
Apr 45 min read
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Warming up after Brumation (Hibernation)
The Tortoise Myth Busters - Episode 8 As usual, let's start by looking at some of the (very confident!) misleading advice seen on this...

tortoisetrust
Feb 234 min read
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How Heat Lamps can Harm the Health of Tortoises and Contribute to Growth Deformities
'Hotspots' caused by artificial heat lamp in close proximity while most of the body remains too cold. An important consideration for all...

tortoisetrust
Feb 1934 min read
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Treating Sight-Damaged Tortoises
A specialist ophthalmic exam will be required to establish the extent of the damage. Andy C. Highfield The recent winter proved to be one...

tortoisetrust
Feb 67 min read
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Common Post-Hibernation Problems in Tortoises
Check weights before, during and following hibernation (brumation). Tortoises which emerge from hibernation (technically it is more...

tortoisetrust
Jan 317 min read
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Out of Africa: 18 Months of Observations on the Captive Care of Rescued Kinixys homeana Hingebacks
Dr Mark R. Webb This species requires a relatively low-light, humid and forest-floor-like habitat. This article originally appeared in a...

tortoisetrust
Jan 1213 min read
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Rehabilitating Hingeback Tortoises
by A. C. Highield/Tortoise Trust Hingeback tortoises are often rescued in very poor condition and can be challenging to rehabilitate. K....

tortoisetrust
Jan 86 min read
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Brumation Mysteries
The precise combination of 'triggers' that tell Mediterranean tortoises it is time to dig down for brumation (hibernation) over winter...

tortoisetrust
Dec 8, 20241 min read
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