Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, I was at my good petstore I usually buy from the other day, and they had these adorable tortoises for sale. They were labeld "Spur Thigh Tortoises". I just assumed they were Sulcattas, and I've been wanting a tortoise, so I started to do some research on them. But I read there is another tortoise called the Meditteraen(sp?)Spur Thigh Tortoise. I'm going to go back soon and ask them which kind it is. But will some one tell me how to care for a Meditteraen Spur Thigh Tortoise?

J.L.

Hi,
North African Tortoise, Moorish Tortoise, Mediterranean Spur Thigh Tortoise are all names for the species Testudo Graeca. Greek Tortoise is also a subspecies -Testudo Graeca Ibera according to my book. They come originally from North Africa and southern, Mediterranean Europe (dry climates). They average 7/8 in. with males slightly smaller than females, so they are good pets if you don't have a lot of room (Sulcatas on the other hand get huge really fast). Testudo Graecas are herbivores. As far as I know, they are robust and adaptable. A good choice for a first pet tortoise I think. Care sheets and info are easy to find since this is a popular pet tortoise.
I have one; his name is Toto. He climbs and digs, definitively very active and fun. He likes to be petted and he goes with us places in a little wagon of his own.
I hope this helps.

TT

Thank you very much. This will be the first tortoise I've ever had. What kind of housing do you use for yours?

J.L.

I'm not an expert and never had any other pet reptiles besides torts. I'll share what I know just in case is helpful. My enclosures are kind of home made. It depends on where you live geographically and the weather -that's vital for the tortoise health. I'm in area of CA that gets warm in the summers although cold and rainy in winter (no snow).

I suggest you buy books about tortoises and learn about your pet's needs (specific for the species). I have "Turtles and Tortoises for Dummies" and a couple of other books that I bought at a pet shop and a bookstore. The internet and this forum are great resources too.

Also to be prepared for emergencies, find a vet in your area that specializes in reptiles and has experience treating turtles. Don't hesitate to call him/her if there's questions/concerns.

Now about Toto's enclosures: The outdoor one -for summer only- is a wooden rectangle made of a converted boxspring. It has a border all around on the top to provide shelter when he is too hot, and also a little hiding box. This structure is on top of a cement floor, so he can't dig out of it, and it can be moved for a sunny spot (my back yard is very shady because of trees). The trees shed lots of leaves/twigs that naturally fall in there, so that would be the substrate (he doesn't eat them). Then I put the food in a little flat dish and also a top of an old marmelade jar acts as a shallow water dish. It's important that you give him/her the right calcium and vitamins supplements. I got these at the place where I got him, East Bay Vivarium (Berkeley, CA).

If the weather is not hot enough he goes inside the house where he has an enclosure with a UV lamp to provide artificial sunlight, a heat lamp for warmth and a heating pad (under the bottom of the enclosure so he doesn't get burned), an igloo (bought at a pet store), two empty cereal boxes where he hides, and also food and water.

When he was a baby he was in a pet store bought terrarium with the same lamps and heating pads, a "house" (made with a plastic flower pot in which I cut a "door".
It's also IMPORTANT for "tortuhealth": soaks/baths in warm water. As a baby he was soaked every day, now once a week or as needed.

Best wishes with your new tort,
TT