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Tortoises are long-lived pets that can easily outlive their owners. The most popular in the UK are Hermann's, Horsfield (Russian) and spur-thighed tortoises. All of them need warmth, strong UVB, a high-fibre diet and plenty of space to roam.
Tortoises at a glance
| Adult size | 15–20cm (Hermann's and Horsfield) |
| Lifespan | 50–80+ years |
| Indoor enclosure | At least 120 x 60cm floor space for a juvenile; much larger for adults |
| Basking spot | 30–35°C |
| Cool end | 20–24°C |
| UVB | Strong: T5 10–12% tube or mercury vapour lamp |
1. Indoor housing
Tortoises need floor space, not height. Use an open-topped tortoise table or a large, well-ventilated enclosure. Glass tanks trap humidity and can stress tortoises, which try to walk through the glass.
2. Heat and UVB
Tortoises need a hot basking spot and strong UVB to absorb calcium and grow a healthy shell.
- Fit a basking lamp over one end, controlled by a thermostat.
- Add a strong UVB tube, such as a Leap T5 fixture with a 10.0 bulb, or an all-in-one lamp like the Lucky Reptile Bright Sun UV Desert.
- Run lights for 12–14 hours a day.
Read our reptile lighting guide.
3. Substrate and decor
Use a soil-based substrate that holds its shape and lets tortoises dig, such as ProRep Tortoise Life. Add a hide such as the Exo Terra Tortoise Cave, flat stones for wearing down claws, and a shallow water dish.
4. Diet
Mediterranean tortoises eat a high-fibre, low-protein diet of weeds and flowers:
- Best foods: dandelion, plantain, clover, sow thistle, bindweed and hibiscus.
- Supplements to the diet: dried mixes such as ProRep Botanical Leaf Mix and Botanical Flower Mix.
- Avoid: fruit, bread, dog or cat food, and lots of supermarket lettuce.
Browse tortoise foods.
5. Calcium
Dust food with calcium such as ProRep Calci Dust several times a week, and provide a calcium block or cuttlefish bone to nibble.
6. Outdoor time
On warm, sunny days, tortoises benefit hugely from time outdoors in a secure, predator-proof pen with shade, shelter and plants to graze.
7. Hibernation
Hermann's and Horsfield tortoises hibernate naturally. Only hibernate a healthy tortoise at a good weight, and get a vet check first. The safest method is a fridge kept at a steady 4–6°C, with weekly weight checks. Start the wind-down in autumn by gradually reducing food over 2–4 weeks.
Common problems
- Pyramiding: lumpy shell growth from too much protein, too little humidity or poor UVB.
- Metabolic bone disease: soft shell from lack of UVB and calcium.
- Respiratory infections: runny nose and bubbles, often from being kept too cold.
See our reptile healthcare guide.
