Exotic pets need unique attention and care. Although tortoises are gentle and slow in nature and cannot complain, it does not mean that they do not require much attention. If given comfortable enclosures and proper diets, they can survive if left unattended for long periods of time.
However, it is imperative to study your pet’s needs in order to ensure that they are getting proper nutrition and provide safe habitation. Here is a simple care sheet for the most popular species of tortoise in the pet industry.
Red Footed Tortoise: They survive well in captivity and prefer weather in Southern Florida regions. Their diet should consist of 80% fibrous vegetables, 20% fruits and vegetables. Examples of vegetations they can feed on are dandelion greens, mustard green, escarole and endive. Do not feed them spinach, lettuce or kale. Supplement their meal with calcium and vitamin D3. Do not be alarmed if the initially refuse to eat. They usually fast while adapting to their new environment, so be patient. Outdoor temperatures should be at 90-95°F (32-35°C) at day and 65-70°F (18-21°C) at night. Since they prefer humid and tropical climate, use your garden sprinkler or mister to increase humidity in their enclosure. They also need an area to dry out and a muddy wallow to soak in. Indoors, you can use cypress bark or paper as substrate. Use UVA/UVB lamps to maintain proper temperatures inside their pen.
Russian Tortoise: This species are popular pets due to their small size and survival capabilities in captivity. They only grow to about 4-8 inches and can live to around 50 years. Their diet consists mainly of weeds, grasses and leafy greens such as dandelion grass, kale, wild rosemary, hay, timothy, English daisy, chicory, California thistle, flowering maple and romaine lettuce among others. Do not feed them with grains, animal protein or fruits. Temperatures should be at low to mid 80°F (20°C) at day and with a drop at night. Like other tortoises, they will burrow under ground during the heat of the day and to keep warm at night. Make sure that the enclosure’s fences are solidly sunk under the ground.
Hermann’s Tortoise: Their ecological behavior is the same as their behavior in captivity. They leave their shelter in the early morning to eat then returns at midday when the sun is too hot. They resume eating in late afternoon before resting for the rest of the day. Outdoor enclosures should have a shelter with an accessible entryway where they can come and go while grazing and eating. They can be fed with grasses and leafy greens and supplemented with fruits and vegetables. This specie can be fed with broccoli, cucumber, carrots, dandelions, cauliflower, lettuce and clover. They also eat small amounts of apples, melons, peaches, grapes, apricots and strawberries.
