Care of Greek Tortoises

Greek tortoises, also known as spur-thighed tortoises, are a threatened species in their native Africa, Europe and Asia. The golden-colored tortoises grow to 8 to 10 inches long and live for about 50 years. Greek tortoises are best kept only by experienced tortoise owners because of their shyness around humans and their tendency to get ill and harbor parasites.

Things You'll Need

  • Heat lamp
  • Enclosure
  • Cuttlebone
  • Calcium supplements
  • Water dish
  • Water
  • Mustard greens
  • Dandelion greens
  • Plants
  • Sand
  • Moss
  • Dirt
  • Shelters
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep the Greek tortoise's environment at the proper humidity level and temperature, which is between 75 and 90 degrees for subspecies from northern regions and 80 degrees or warmer for subspecies from southern regions, which cannot tolerate the cold. Provide the southern subspecies with a basking spot that is heated to 100 degrees by a heat lamp. Do not allow the Greek tortoise's environment to become humid, because it cannot tolerate dampness. Keep the tortoise in an indoors enclosure if outside temperatures and humidity levels are not suitable.

    • 2

      Provide your tortoise with food and fresh water every day. The amount of food a Greek tortoise needs depends on what subspecies it is. Regardless, provide it with more food if it is eating all that is given to it. Give the Greek tortoise leafy greens such as dandelion greens and mustard greens, along with vegetables such as zucchini, tomatoes and bell peppers. Occasionally feed them some fruit as well. Do not feed them cat food or dog food or any type of meat. Greek tortoises need water at all times. Give it to them in a shallow dish that is deep enough that they can wade, but not so deep that they can drown in it.

    • 3

      Provide the tortoise with a cuttlebone to chew on or sprinkle a calcium supplement on its food, since Greek tortoises often suffer from calcium deficiency. Allow the tortoise to spend at least part of every day outside, and all day long if possible, so it can absorb UVA and UVB rays from the sun.

    • 4

      Give the Greek tortoise an enclosure measuring no less than 4 feet by 2 feet. Build an outdoor enclosure if possible, but use an indoor aquarium if outside temperatures and humidity levels are not suitable. Place dirt or a mixture of sand and moss in the bottom of the enclosure and fill it with edible plants such as grass, dandelions and prickly pear cactus. Stock the enclosure with plenty of shelters that the tortoise can hide in, since Greek tortoises are shy animals. Keep the enclosure dry and clean to keep the tortoise healthy. Triple the enclosure size if two tortoises are living together.