Do Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoises?
The average size of these tortoises is 8 inches in length (20 cm). The main habitat groups for this tortoise are the dry Mediterranean forests and semi-arid scrubland of Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Iran, Syria, Jordan and Iraq.
How big do Greek spur-thighed tortoises get?
Size. Testudo (graeca) ibera is a medium-sized tortoise ranging from 18-21 cm (7-8 in) in length. Testudo graeca graeca is relatively small: 13-16 cm (5-6 in) (Hernández-Divers 2003). This species can measure up to 30 cm (12 in) in length (or more) with a maximum weight of approximately 6 kg (13 lb).
Can Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoises eat fruit?
Fruit is sometimes eaten but it should only form a minor part of the diet. Vegetables should be fed raw and in moderation. Avoid excess of one food type, such as brassicas, which should only be fed as part of a varied diet.
How long do Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoises hibernate for?
Hibernation is a natural process and they should be allowed to hibernate. Noticeably, they hibernate with the decrease of light intensity and the drop in temperatures. This period may differ but on average, they will take about 4 to 6 weeks to hibernate.
What do you feed a spur thighed tortoise?
Diet & Water A Spur-thighed tortoise’s diet consists of vegetation. Good foods include dandelion, clover, honeysuckle, leafy salads, watercress, curly kale, brussel tops, spring greens, coriander, parsley, rocket, carrot, parsnip, courgette and bell peppers. The bulk of the vegetation should be leafy greens.
How can you tell a spur thighed tortoise?
Spur-Thighed / Greek Tortoise (T. graeca). Spur-thighed tortoises are easily identified by the small spurs or tubercules on their thighs, one each side of the tail. There are a number of different subspecies.
What should I feed my spur-thighed tortoise?
Can tortoise eat blueberries?
A diet too heavy in treats such as berries and fruit can cause health complications including diarrhea, kidney problems and malnutrition. In moderation, however, berries and fruits are suitable snacks for a hungry tortoise.
What month do Mediterranean tortoises hibernate?
You should start thinking about hibernation around mid-August. Tortoisetrust.com suggest that if your tortoise isn’t healthy enough to hibernate by the end of August, then it won’t be healthy enough to begin hibernation a few months later.
What bedding do spur thighed tortoises need?
Decoration. Spur-thighed tortoises should always be kept on a dry substrate so not to increase the humidity inside their enclosure too much. We keep our tortoises either on beech woodchips or ProRep’s Tortoise Life substrate. Tortoise do not climb, but they do like to dig and burrow.
What can I feed my spur-thighed tortoise?
Where does the spur thighed tortoise come from?
These tortoises originate from North Africa, Spain and the Balearic Islands, where temperatures at the lowest offer 9 hours of full spectrum light over 32.5°C (90.5°F) producing a hot and dry climate for most of the year. Thousands of Mediterranean tortoises were imported into the UK in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
How big does a Mediterranean spur tortoise shell get?
The Mediterranean Spur Thighed Tortoise makes a great pet for beginners and experienced hobbyists alike. They remain one of the most popular species of pet tortoise in the UK. We think this is due to their great characters and adaptability. They can live for over 100 years and will grow to a shell length of between 8-11 inches.
When do Mediterranean spur thighed tortoise come out of hibernation?
Hibernation Adult Mediterranean Spur-Thighed Tortoises hibernate from around November to April in the wild. If you choose to allow your tortoise to hibernate, it is vital to have regular check ups with a reptile vet. Hibernation is a complex topic and needs quite in-depth discussion.
What kind of food does a Mediterranean spur thigh tortoise eat?
Mediterranean Spur Thighed Tortoise Diet Mediterranean Spur-Thigh Tortoises are herbivores (vegetarian) and in the wild they eat a huge variety of plants and flowers. It is best to replicate this as best we can by offering a variety of fresh greens and supplements.
What kind of animal is a Greek spur thighed tortoise?
Chitty (2013) indicates that Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise ( Testudo graeca) and Greek spur-thighed tortoise ( Testudo ibera) are separate species altogether. A study published in Chelonian Conservation and Biology (2012) referred to Testudo graeca ibera as the Eurasian spur-thighed tortoise.
How to take care of a Mediterranean spur thighed tortoise?
Healthy tortoises get most of the water they need from their diet. It is still important to provide them with a shallow bowl just in case. The bowl should be large enough to allow your pet tortoise to bathe and have low sides that allow easy access. The water bowl must be kept clean daily. Mediterranean Spur Thighed Tortoise Substrate
What kind of tortoise live in the Mediterranean?
COMMON CAPTIVE SPECIES. The species of Mediterranean tortoise most commonly imported into Britain have been the Spur Tortoise (Testudo graeca) and the Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni). The Spur thighed Tortoise is further divided into subspecies with a main division between Europe and northern Africa.
Is the spur thighed tortoise an endangered species?
In 1984 it was agreed with the now EU Council to treat three species of Mediterranean tortoise (the Spur thighed, Hermann’s and also the Marginated Tortoise from Greece) according to Appendix I of the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species ( CITES ).
How big does a Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise get?
between 8-11 inches
They can live for over 100 years and will grow to a shell length of between 8-11 inches.
How do you take care of a Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise?
Spur-thighed Tortoise care sheet
- Housing: a wooden vivarium or a wooden tortoise table.
- Heating: basking temperature of 90oF.
- UVB Lighting: desert strength 10%-12% UVB fluorescent tube.
- Diet: herbivorous mix of leafy green vegetation.
- Decoration: dry substrates and decor so not to raise humidity levels.
Spur-thighed tortoises are easily identified by the small spurs or tubercules on their thighs, one each side of the tail.
How often should I feed my spur thighed tortoise?
As a general rule, you should offer an amount of food equivalent to the size of your tortoise’s shell. They should be fed once a day, 5 days a week.
How often should I feed my spur-thighed tortoise?
How can you tell a spur-thighed tortoise?
How can you tell if a spur-thighed tortoise is male or female?
[edit]Identification of sex Males differ from females in 6 main points. Firstly, they are generally smaller. Their tails are longer and taper to a point evenly, and the cloacal opening is farther from the base of the tail. The underside is somewhat curved, while females have a flat shell on the underside.
How much does a Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise cost?
$298.00 – $449.00 Sale!
Can a spur thighed tortoise eat blueberries?
Unless your tortoise is one of the fruit-eating species, the berries of this shrub should not be fed. The leaves of Blueberry are said to contain tannins and have some diuretic properties, so although a small amount in the diet would do no harm we don’t recommend feeding the leaves in any quantity.
