Instructions
Keep male and female tortoises in separate habitats as you ready them to breed. You should begin readying the tortoises to breed during winter time. Greek tortoises breed during the spring in the wild, and it's best to recreate this pattern in captivity, in order to have more success.
Determine what subspecies of Greek tortoise you have. This information will tell you whether the tortoises must undergo a cooling or hibernation period in order to induce breeding. Some Greek tortoises, such as the Golden Greek tortoise, require a period of nightly cooling, where the temperature drops to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night, but rises to near 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Other Greek tortoise types may need a full hibernation period. Still other types need no cooling, and may in fact be harmed by a cooling or hibernating period.
Shorten the length of light the tortoises receive. Shorten the daylight by about one hour each week. By December, the "day" you're creating should only be about six hours long. If your tortoise type requires cooling or hibernation, begin this now as well.
Keep the light time short like this for about a month. Then, gradually raise the day length, adding about an hour of light a week, until the day length is normal for the spring season. Raise the temperatures back to normal if you've been cooling the tortoise.
Place about six mature female Greek tortoises and two mature male Greek tortoises in one of the habitats. Male tortoises have concave plastrons, or undersides. Males also have longer tails, which the carry tucked to the side. Female tortoises have flat plastrons. They have shorter tails which usually stick straight back. Female Greek tortoises are considered mature when they're between 6 and 7 inches long, while males are mature at between 4 and 5 inches long.
Watch for the Greek tortoises to breed. The males may chase the females around, and may become somewhat aggressive. Breeding may not occur right away, or there may be some false starts.
Remove the male tortoises from the habitat after a week or so. Mating can be rough, and the female tortoises will need a break. Return the males after a week or so. Repeat this process until you witness a successful breeding, or you see that the females are getting ready to lay their eggs. This usually means breeding has been successful.
How to Breed Greek Tortoises
Greek tortoises, also sometimes known as spur-thighed tortoises, are small tortoises, ranging in size from 8 to 12 inches long. They are generally friendly and relatively hardy, making them a good choice for a pet. There are several subspecies of Greek tortoises, and they can come from many places around the world, not just Greece. Most Greek tortoise subspecies breed readily in captivity. However, before you begin breeding, it's important to understand your exact type of tortoise, so you can create the best possible setting and environment for the breeding.