There are practically hundreds of types of tortoises, but not all of them are suited as pets. Some of those tortoises live in humid tropical areas, while others can’t survive during the winter. Here are the common species of tortoises that are perfectly suited as pets.
Pictures: Dry Land Turtle
The Dry Land Turtle (Testudo Hermani) is common in Europe. They like to live in the forest, but always close to a watercourse or a lake. They have a convex shape, rounded at the back, and the general shape of such a tortoise is rounded. The color of this species is yellow or orange, with black spots and two stripes of the same color. It is a vegetarian species by excellence, eating fruits, vegetables and rarely, insects. It hibernates since October until the end of April, buried in the ground or small caves on the shores of rivers. Usually, it reproduces at the end of April, when the female lays 11-12 white eggs with a diameter of 3.5 centimeters. The eggs hatch after three or four months, and the babies are only 4 centimeters long. Because of the modifications of the climate, this species is currently endangered, therefore protected by law.
Picture: Greek tortoise
The Greek tortoise (testudo greaca ibera) is spread in Africa, in the Mediterranean basin, and also in Asia and Eastern Europe. It is a middleweight tortoise that reaches 20-30 centimeters as an adult. The head, neck and members can be withdrawn totally in the shell. All the older animals have a wider behind. The color of the shell is yellow or light red, and the edges could have a dark brown color. The shell is ornate with brown spots also, on a green background. The tale is shorter compared with the ones of other tortoises.
Picture: steppe tortoise
The steppe tortoise (testudo horsfieldii) has a reduced dimension, between 20-30 centimeters. It can sometimes be confused with the Greek tortoise. It is different from this one because it has claws on all the four members. The contour is almost circular, with large scales of a brown color, and with black nuances. This tortoise can be found in Central Asia and India. It usually lives in deserts, steppes and oasis, or in the mountain valleys. The exterior is mostly dependent on the environment where it lives.
The males have a reduced corporal weight compared with the one of females of the same age. The mating period is characterized by fights. It is an omnivore species, eating flowers, fruits but also small insects. It is exported in many countries in the world because it is really popular as a pet, but transporting it requires special conditions, so it is better to find a special carrier that can bring you one.
Even if the turtles require water, it is a lot easier to take care of a turtle than it is to take care of a tortoise. The tortoise needs space, and it usually required an outdoor environment. The environment must have elements of the natural habitat of the tortoise, if you want it to be happy and to live for a long time.
Related Posts:
The African Spurred Tortoise
Common Tortoises in Europe
Different types of turtles
Taking Care of Baby Turtles
The Sea Turtles: General Characteristics
Why Are The Sea Turtles Not Suited As Pets?
The Decision of Having a Turtle as a Pet
The Dry Land Turtle (Testudo Hermani) is common in Europe. They like to live in the forest, but always close to a watercourse or a lake. They have a convex shape, rounded at the back, and the general shape of such a tortoise is rounded. The color of this species is yellow or orange, with black spots and two stripes of the same color. It is a vegetarian species by excellence, eating fruits, vegetables and rarely, insects. It hibernates since October until the end of April, buried in the ground or small caves on the shores of rivers. Usually, it reproduces at the end of April, when the female lays 11-12 white eggs with a diameter of 3.5 centimeters. The eggs hatch after three or four months, and the babies are only 4 centimeters long. Because of the modifications of the climate, this species is currently endangered, therefore protected by law.
Picture: Greek tortoise
The Greek tortoise (testudo greaca ibera) is spread in Africa, in the Mediterranean basin, and also in Asia and Eastern Europe. It is a middleweight tortoise that reaches 20-30 centimeters as an adult. The head, neck and members can be withdrawn totally in the shell. All the older animals have a wider behind. The color of the shell is yellow or light red, and the edges could have a dark brown color. The shell is ornate with brown spots also, on a green background. The tale is shorter compared with the ones of other tortoises.
Picture: steppe tortoise
The steppe tortoise (testudo horsfieldii) has a reduced dimension, between 20-30 centimeters. It can sometimes be confused with the Greek tortoise. It is different from this one because it has claws on all the four members. The contour is almost circular, with large scales of a brown color, and with black nuances. This tortoise can be found in Central Asia and India. It usually lives in deserts, steppes and oasis, or in the mountain valleys. The exterior is mostly dependent on the environment where it lives.
The males have a reduced corporal weight compared with the one of females of the same age. The mating period is characterized by fights. It is an omnivore species, eating flowers, fruits but also small insects. It is exported in many countries in the world because it is really popular as a pet, but transporting it requires special conditions, so it is better to find a special carrier that can bring you one.
Even if the turtles require water, it is a lot easier to take care of a turtle than it is to take care of a tortoise. The tortoise needs space, and it usually required an outdoor environment. The environment must have elements of the natural habitat of the tortoise, if you want it to be happy and to live for a long time.
Related Posts:
The African Spurred Tortoise
Common Tortoises in Europe
Different types of turtles
Taking Care of Baby Turtles
The Sea Turtles: General Characteristics
Why Are The Sea Turtles Not Suited As Pets?
The Decision of Having a Turtle as a Pet
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