Tortoises

Land turtles are terrestrial animals that inhabit a wide variety of environments. Some species can be found in deserts, while other land turtles may live in humid or forested areas.

Normally, land turtles prefer areas with dense vegetation and access to fresh water, such as meadows, forests, mountains, plains, and savannas. They can also be found in coastal and beach areas, especially in warm and tropical regions.

Land turtles are known for their longevity, as some can live up to a hundred years or more, and for their calm and friendly personality. Although they are relatively easy to care for, there are some important aspects that owners should keep in mind to ensure a healthy and happy life for their pets.

Species	Common Name	Adult Size	Longevity	Ideal for...
Testudo graeca	Greek Tortoise	15 - 25 cm	50 - 70+ years	Beginners (with garden)
Centrochelys sulcata	Sulcata Tortoise	60 - 80 cm	80 - 100+ years	Experts (requires a lot of space)
Agrionemys horsfieldii	Russian Tortoise	15 - 25 cm	40 - 50+ years	Beginners (very hardy)
Stigmochelys pardalis	Leopard Tortoise	40 - 70 cm	50 - 100 years	Intermediate (needs warmth)

In this article we explain all the information about land turtles, so you can gain a broad knowledge about them.

Characteristics of Land Turtles

Below we show some of the most notable characteristics:

Size

Land turtles vary in size from small land turtles of just a few centimeters to large species that can reach over a meter in length. Weight also varies considerably, from a few kilos to several hundred kilos.

Shell

The shell is one of the most distinctive features of land turtles. It is made up of bones and bony plates that fuse to form a solid, protective structure around the turtle's body. The shell also acts as a calcium reservoir for the land turtle.

Longevity

Land turtles are known for their longevity, as some can live up to a hundred years or more. The current world record for the oldest turtle is 190 years.

Behavior

They are solitary animals and do not need the company of other turtles. In fact, if kept in groups, they may fight or become stressed. Although they are not particularly active animals, they have a calm and relaxed personality, enjoy basking in the sun, and wandering around their territory. They spend most of their time resting and moving slowly.

Land turtles mark their territory by building burrows, digging holes, and creating paths around their living area. They may also urinate or defecate in specific places to mark their territory. Land turtles are very sensitive to stress and can suffer from illnesses or even die if they become too stressed. Sudden changes in the environment, lack of food or water, or rough handling can stress them and affect their health.

In winter, land turtles hibernate to conserve energy and survive during the cold months. During hibernation, the turtle slows down its metabolism and enters a state of torpor. When spring arrives and the temperature begins to rise, the turtle comes out of its torpor and returns to normal activity.

Land turtles are cold-blooded animals and depend on the environment to regulate their body temperature. They can regulate their temperature by basking in the sun or seeking shade. They have a highly developed sense of smell and hearing, but their vision is limited.

Essential Care Guide for Land Turtles

First of all, you must provide a suitable habitat for the land turtle. There should be a spacious and safe area for the turtle to move and explore. It is necessary to have a place for basking and another for hiding and sheltering from the weather. The substrate that turtles need is a soil that allows them to dig and burrow. These are the following elements or turtle accessories.

Terrarium and Habitat for Land Turtles

Provide a suitable house for land turtles that is the appropriate size for their size, with enough space for them to exercise and strengthen their muscles, fix calcium in their bones, and accumulate less fat. The space should be well ventilated but free of drafts, which can be achieved with ventilation grilles or an open table. The walls should be high and smooth enough to prevent turtles from escaping or flipping over. A terrarium for turtles can be made from plastic boxes or wooden drawers, plywood, metal, PVC, acrylic, etc. Glass tanks and closed aquariums are not suitable as they are small, retain too much humidity, and lack ventilation, but they can be adapted or new models used that have these features.

You must ensure that the turtles cannot be disturbed or injured by providing a cover with good ventilation, such as a wire mesh.

This land turtle house should include a soil area and a water dish for drinking and soaking.

It is also necessary to provide shelters for the turtles, where they can hide and feel safe so they can feel comfortable.

Substrate

There are various types of substrates that have been used over time, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

One of the most recommended and economical substrates is a mix of garden soil and sand.

It is advisable to avoid using substrates that contain aromatic wood, such as pine and cedar, because they contain phenols that, over time, can cause liver damage in turtles. Substrates must be safe and healthy for pets.

Temperature

Land turtles need adequate temperature and humidity to stay healthy. The soil area should be in a temperature range between 20-30°C and humidity should be between 50% and 70%. The values depend on the species of land turtle.

Lighting

Land turtles need exposure to sunlight or an artificial light source that provides the necessary UVB and UVA rays for their health. Lamps for land turtles are an absolutely essential element to consider. Especially necessary when they are baby land turtles.

Terrarium Cleaning

Another aspect of caring for land turtles is hygiene. Food and water containers, as well as the box where the turtle lives, should be cleaned regularly. When handling the turtle, care should be taken, as they can transmit zoonotic diseases.

Feeding Land Turtles

As for feeding, land turtles are herbivores and need a varied and balanced diet. Green leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, cabbage, and spinach, are a good source of nutrients for turtles. They also need a source of calcium, so you should offer them calcium supplements and cuttlebone.

It is essential to provide a healthy diet to captive turtles that mimics their diet in the wild, with a high amount of fiber, low in protein (5-8%), and rich in calcium. The right amount of food should be offered, avoiding overfeeding, and varying their diet to provide vitamins and micronutrients found in various fresh plants.

Also offer food in a dish that allows easy access and prevents it from mixing with the substrate, for example, a large flat stone on the substrate.

Another way to feed land turtles is with prepared sticks for their herbivore diet:

Food for Land Turtles

Sera Reptil Professional Herbivor is a food for herbivorous reptiles, including land turtles and iguanas. This food comes in the form of croquettes made up of two different parts.

The outer ring of the croquettes contains a carefully selected blend of more than 20 herbs, corresponding to the natural diet spectrum of European land turtles.

What can a land turtle eat?

The diet of land turtles varies depending on the species, age, and health of the turtle. In general, land turtles need a balanced diet containing a variety of fresh, high-quality foods. Here are some general tips on feeding land turtles:

Green leafy vegetables. Land turtles should receive a variety of green leafy vegetables, such as romaine lettuce, spinach, mustard greens, kale, Swiss chard, clover, and dandelion greens.

Vegetables. In addition to green leafy vegetables, land turtles can eat a variety of other vegetables, such as carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, and peppers.

Fruits. Fruits should be offered in moderation, as they contain natural sugars. Some fruits that can be good for land turtles are apples, strawberries, melons, and bananas.

Proteins. Land turtles need protein to maintain good health. They can obtain protein from insects, such as crickets and worms.

Supplementation with calcium for turtles is crucial and it is recommended to sprinkle powdered calcium on all meals. If the animal is kept indoors, it is suggested to use calcium supplements with vitamin D3, while if kept outdoors, supplements without vitamin D3 should be used. Cuttlebone can be provided, which can be broken into pieces if necessary.

They should not be fed an exclusive diet of dry turtle food, as these foods do not provide the variety of nutrients they need. In addition, it is important to always offer land turtles fresh, clean water.

Hibernation

Turtles are cold-blooded animals that regulate their body temperature through the temperature of their environment. If your turtle lives outdoors, the land turtle can enter a state of torpor known as hibernation, which allows them to survive during the winter months when the temperature drops too low.

When hibernation occurs, turtles decrease their metabolic activity, reduce their heart and respiratory rate, and may even stop eating and digesting. This helps turtles preserve their energy and avoid dehydration, as metabolic activity and breathing generate heat and water.

Some species are not native to areas with cold winters and are not adapted for hibernation. Hibernation can be dangerous if turtles are not properly prepared or if environmental conditions are not suitable.

Types of Land Turtles

There are numerous species of land turtles around the world, some of which are very popular as pets. Below are some of the most common types of land turtles:

Accessories for Land Turtles

Buying a Land Turtle

Buying a land turtle is a decision that should be made responsibly and ethically. Research on land turtle species should be done in advance, find a trustworthy breeder or seller, and check the turtle's health before buying. It is also essential to prepare for the proper care of the turtle, which includes providing a suitable habitat, food, lighting, and heating. You must consider the long-term responsibility of caring for a pet, as land turtles can live for decades. In general, buying a land turtle requires patience and proper planning to ensure the turtle is happy and healthy throughout its life.

Kiwoko is a chain of pet stores located in Spain and Portugal. It is possible to buy a land turtle at a Kiwoko store, which offers a variety of pet products, including food, supplies, and accessories for land turtles. The cheapest land turtles are the most common in the store. They can also provide information and advice on the proper care of land turtles, including their diet, housing, and medical needs.

The best option for getting a free land turtle is through adoption, as many people are unable to care for them over time. On platforms like Milanuncios or Wallapop, you may find land turtles for adoption.

Land Turtle Video

In this case, here is a short video of a beautiful Sulcata tortoise.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Land Turtles