Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I have two female tortoises which are new to my household. Does anyone know from where I can get adequate information on how to keep them healthy and happy.
thanks
pj

Welcome to the forum, this is a good place to learn. We will collectively help you best if you have a specific question, it is amazing how much experience is out there and what we can learn. To answer your very broad question, check out the various care sheets on the species you are working with. See the California Turtle and Tortoise club web-site, lots of good info there. Read A. Highfields books on tortoise care and others. Did you really get a pair of kleinmanni? Egyptians are care specific, you best get some good information on this species. I don't have experience with them, but I remember an article in Reptiles magazine a year or two ago, you might want to search the archives/indexes. Good luck and good researching, they deserve your best care. vic h.

Hello pj,
I have raised Egyptians for the past 15 years & have successfully bred them for the last 2.
I would start by reading Andy Highfield's books - but don't let them scare you!
Also do the basic research by googling Egytpian tortoise - you will find some good info.
After you have some your basic homework, consider your local conditions. What may work for those in the UK will not necessarily work for those in southern California.
I raise mine on tortoise tables with oystershell substrate. Flower pots on their sides or split in 2 are scaterred throughout to provide hide spots. Some areas I moisten the hide areas to provide a humid hid spot - others are left dry.
I use a bank of 4 ft Zoo Med UVB florescents for light on one end I use high quality self ballasted mercury vapor UVB bulbs for additional heat/ UVB / light.
My animals can choose between cool/moist & cool/dry & hot/moist & hot dry areas.
I feed my torts mainly collected weeds, grasses & tort palatable leafs such as mulberry & grape.
Winter: I allow my tort room to get down into the 50's & rarely into the mid 40's with NO apparent health problems. After the lamps come on they are most active during this time, eating the most, mating & laying eggs.
Summer: I aestivate my torts with little food, high temps 90 but always have access to fresh water.

My babies are fed throughout the year unlike the adults.

Hope this helps.

Bill S