Tortoise Care

In order to keep a pet tortoise happy and healthy it is essential to know that all tortoise species need access to a sufficient amount of natural light.



Thus tortoise care involves ideally providing the tortoise with a secure garden enclosure which is open to the full sun during the main part of the day. Similarly the tortoise should also have access to shade either in the form of clumps of vegetation, nearby trees or a small shaded area.



The tortoise may also be kept in a well lit indoor area especially when the weather is not very good or in a green house provided it does not get too warm inside.

Tortoise care and feeding also includes being around near the tortoise especially during the warmer parts of the day as this is when the tortoise normally feed.



Additionally although tortoise drink very little water, one should ensure that they have access to a clean and safe source of water and that they are fed a suitable diet as required by their species. There are a variety of wild plants that constitute the most natural and ideal diet for a tortoise which include chicory, dandelions, white clover, sow thistle, wild radish flowers, mulberry, hibiscus, mallow and heartease. One may also include vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and other such salad vegetables to the diet of the diet of the tortoise especially when there is a shortage of natural vegetation in the garden and it becomes essential to keep the tortoise well fed and hydrated. Tortoise care information also states that as soon as one brings home a tortoise for the first time they should visit the vet who will chalk out a regular program of parasite control and de-worming for the tortoise. This is essential because not only are tortoise worms detrimental to the tortoise health but they may also be passed on to humans.

Whenever any new tortoise is being added to the group of existing tortoise, it should first be quarantined for several weeks so as to ensure that they are not bringing any new disease with them. Tortoise owners should also be very careful while including calcium supplements and other vitamins to the diet of the tortoise as if not provided in the correct dosage, these supplements may do more harm to the tortoise than good. Tortoises may not eat on a daily basis however if they are at an ideal weight and are overall healthy then one need not worry.