Tortoise

The Red-Footed Tortoise is a South and Central American species originating from forest habitats. They are black-brown in shell colour with each shell ring containing an orange-red splodge and a yellow-orange underside. Their heads and legs also have orange-red colouration.They usually have a docile nature but become physically difficult to handle the larger they get, especially as they don'...

Tortoise tables are a bit different to the standard wooden vivarium set ups, and so the equipment required for them will also be different. Tortoise Tables are brilliant for tortoises, and in most cases work out to be much better than vivariums’ for tortoises, mainly due to the larger floor area, as well as the great ventilation that they provide.If you have purchased your tortoise table, t...

You’ve heard about MBD. It’s bad. But what does it actually do to a reptile’s body, and how can you ensure you will never have to deal with it?MBD, Metabolic Bone Disease, is a disorder caused by the abnormalities of minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and Vitamin D, which causes the bone structure to weaken as the calcium is released back into the bloodstream, to preven...

Horsfield tortoises, also known as Russian tortoises or four-clawed tortoises, originate from central Asia. They typically inhabit hot, dry, arid regions close to the desert and occasionally in mountainous environments. In nature they roam harsh environments for several months of the year, slipping into brumation (reptile hibernation) during the colder season, where they bury down, remaining inac...

To the untrained eye, many tortoise breeds will look pretty similar, but actually they are some of the most diverse animals on the planet, with each species having a different set of requirements for health and happiness.Swell Reptiles have dealt with most tortoise breeds along the way, and have developed quite a knowledge base – here's some of the basics!European Tortoises Species ...

There's plenty of confusion about tortoise lighting, as information regarding it if often too generalised for anybody to work out what's best for their tortoise pet.At Swell Reptiles, this generates many confused calls for us, and we thought it was about time we laid down our feelings on the matter.Light, Heat and UVBAs is the case with any non-nocturnal reptile, tortoise lighting need...

If you are thinking about getting a European breed of tortoise then we have good news! These hard shelled little friends are some of the easiest reptile pets to look after, and their setup is pretty simple too. Here's how you do it! Housing a tortoise for health and happiness The first decision you need to make is to either opt for a vivarium or a tortoise table.Opinion is often divided about wh...

Hibernation is a very important stage in a tortoise's year. It important you know what to do to help them regarding their housing and temperate control so they can remain safe. Hibernation is a natural part in a tortoise's lifecycle and you will need to try to match the conditions in nature as much as possible. What is Hibernation? Tortoises are used to warmer climates and so in the winter month...

So you've decided to get yourself a turtle or tortoise, now you have to decide which one and which species? There are many different types of pet turtle and tortoise you can get and all have different requirements which you need to consider including diet, lifespan and size. Here are a few which are very popular and some information to help you decide which one is best for you: African Aquatic Si...

They say that a house doesn’t become a home until it is filled with pets, so what better pet to do that than one that will be with you for life. Tortoises are as gentle as they are fascinating, which makes them brilliant reptiles for a family. But there is nothing more mind boggling than knowing they will be with you for life and possibly beyond, providing you give them the care they need.To...