| Just like the many varieties of turtles, there are also | | | | safe. |
| innumerable tortoise types, including Hermann's | | | | Red Footed Tortoise |
| Tortoise, the Red Footed Tortoise, the African | | | | This species requires pet owners to stringently follow |
| Spurred Tortoise, and the species picked most | | | | a diet consisting of 80% fibrous vegetables and 20% |
| commonly as pets, the Russian Tortoise. They have | | | | fruits and vegetables, including endive, mustard |
| many common traits, but pet owners should know | | | | greens, and dandelion greens, and avoid lettuce, |
| and understand how they differ in terms of their | | | | spinach, and kale. A substantial amount of vitamin D3 |
| needs. Read on for more tidbits of info, and details | | | | and calcium must be included in its diet. These |
| regarding the different types of tortoises: | | | | tortoise types normally fast, especially when newly |
| Russian Tortoise | | | | captured, so do not be alarmed if your new pet is |
| This is one of the tortoise types considered an | | | | not eating. It will gradually develop a new eating |
| excellent choice to become a well-loved pet because | | | | regimen as soon as it adjusts to its new habitat. If |
| of its charming looks and petite build. The female | | | | keeping your tortoise outdoors, make sure that the |
| may grow to an adult size of eight to ten inches in | | | | daytime temperature is between 90° to |
| length, while the adult male measures only six to | | | | 95°F, and maintain a 65° to 70°F |
| eight inches. It is more amenable to an outdoor | | | | temperature during the night. This species is |
| enclosure because of its preference for dry | | | | amenable to humid surroundings, so make sure to |
| conditions. Its habitat must have a daytime | | | | monitor the moisture levels often. |
| temperature of between 70°F to 80°F, and | | | | Hermann's Tortoise |
| should stay between 65°F to 75°F during | | | | This species is used to leaving its enclosure early in |
| the nighttime. You must also provide a basking spot | | | | the morning to look for food. During midday, it goes |
| with an 85°F temperature. Its primary food | | | | back to its home to cover and protect itself from |
| consists of clover and grasses, with a moderate | | | | the direct rays of the sun. They go out again late in |
| intake of fruits to preventindigestion. Their diets must | | | | the afternoon to eat, and will then spend the day's |
| contain high calcium and fiber, with low levels of | | | | remaining hours resting. This pattern makes it |
| protein. | | | | amenable for this species to be kept in outdoor |
| African Spurred Tortoise | | | | enclosures. Its diet includes leafy greens and grasses. |
| This tortoise species is large, and requires a high fiber | | | | It must also be fed moderate amount of fruits, such |
| diet, enjoying mixed salads of vegetables and greens. | | | | as melons, grapes, strawberries, and apples. |
| You may give them fruits, such as apples and | | | | Hermann's Tortoises also enjoy vegetables, such as |
| melons, during the hot days of summer. It is | | | | cauliflower, cucumber, broccoli, dandelions, and |
| advisable to only offer fruits once every 10 days - 2 | | | | carrots. Take note that these are just four main |
| weeks. Provide them with artificial warmth by placing | | | | tortoise types inhabiting the planet. Some of these |
| a lamp, with a heat-emitting bulb, inside their | | | | tortoises are considered to be endangered species, |
| enclosure. It must be hung at least 12 inches above | | | | and laws have been enacted to regulate their |
| the housing substrate. Likewise provide a basking | | | | purchase and sale to protect them. Prior to |
| area, with a temperature of 90º to 95º | | | | purchasing your pet tortoise, make sure you check |
| F, complete with a water dish. Make sure that the | | | | your state's regulations regarding which types of |
| housing is free from predators to keep your pet | | | | turtles and tortoises you can legally keep as pets. |