Care Sheets

The Hermann’s tortoise originates from Southern Europe, from Spain to Turkey. It is a hibernating species and requires warm days and cooler nights. It is one of the most popular and more commonly kept species of tortoise within the UK. Hermann’s are within the small to medium sized family of tortoise breeds. High UV lighting is required and low humidity. On average, an adult Hermann’s tortoise will grow to approximately 7-10 inches (18-25cms). However, this may vary in individuals.

The Horsfield’s tortoise originates in Central Asia and is commonly known as the Russian tortoise. It is a hibernating species and requires warm days and cooler night. It is one of the more commonly kept species of tortoise due to their smaller size and are fairly hardy compared to some of the more tropical breeds of tortoise.

The Leopard tortoise originates from a semi-desert to grassland habitat throughout Eastern and Southern Africa and is one of the largest in the world with only the Galapagos, Aldabra (a.k.a Seychelles Tortoise) and Sulcata giant tortoises surpassing the Leopard in size.

The Marginated tortoise originates from Southern Greece, Italy and North-eastern Sardinia. It is a hibernating species and requires warm days and cooler nights. The Marginated tortoise is the largest of the European tortoises and prefers a more mountainous, rocky terrain than the other breeds. High UV lighting is required and low to moderate humidity. On average the Marginated tortoise will grow to approximately 12-15 inches (31-38cms). However, this may vary in individuals.

The Greek tortoise is more commonly known as the Spur-thighed tortoise and is one of the Mediterranean species of tortoise. It is a hibernating species and requires warm days and cooler nights. It is a more commonly kept species of tortoise within the UK. Spur-thighed tortoises are within the medium sized family of tortoise breeds and are renowned for their extensive lifespan. High UV lighting is required and low humidity. On average, an adult Spur-thighed tortoise will grow to approximately 8-10 inches (20-25cms). However, this may vary in individuals.

The Red-Footed tortoise originates from grassland and woodland to forest habitats throughout northern areas of South America and is a medium sized tortoise. Red-Footed tortoises are fast growing and although only around 4-5 cms / 2 inches in size on hatching, a mature tortoise can grow up to and exceed 31cm-38cms / 12-15 inches in length and live 50-70 years or more. They are a non-hibernating species and require heat all year round including the night time hours.

The Hermann’s tortoise originates from Southern Europe, from Spain to Turkey. It is a hibernating species and requires warm days and cooler nights. It is one of the most popular and more commonly kept species of tortoise within the UK. Hermann’s are within the small to medium sized family of tortoise breeds. High UV lighting is required and low humidity. On average, an adult Hermann’s tortoise will grow to approximately 7-10 inches (18-25cms). However, this may vary in individuals.

The Sulcata tortoise originates from dry desert areas of habitat throughout Central Africa and is one of the largest in the world with only the Galapagos and Aldabra (a.k.a Seychelles Tortoise) giant tortoises surpassing the Sulcata in size.

The Star tortoise originates from dry desert areas and scrub forest habitats throughout India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Star tortoises are within the medium sized family of tortoise breeds. This species of tortoise will reach approximately 10 inches at their fully grown adult size. However, this may vary in individuals.