Before we get started, the four clawed tortoise is another nome for the Horsefield tortoise so be sure get your copy of my famous and free Horsefield Email Care Course available by entering your email above at no cost and get instant access!
About
Four clawed tortoises are known for several names such as horsefield tortoise, central Asian tortoise, Russian steppe tortoise, Afghan tortoise, as well as horsefield tortoise and so on. This is one of the smallest species of tortoise. The size ranges from 15cm to 25cm. You can easily identify the female specie of horsefield tortoise; they are usually larger than their male counterpart. Male horsefield has a longer tail than the female four-clawed tortoise.
This specie of tortoise has four clawing toes. It has a long lifespan of seventy-five years and more. Humans like making tortoise their pets because it is sociable.
Buying
Many people like to keep this specie of tortoise as a pet. Because of this, there is huge demand for it. They are also on sale at different locations across the world. However, you have to be very careful in buying a tortoise. You have to be sure of the source you want to buy from. It is better to purchase it from only trusted and reliable reptile dealers. Look for experts who specialize in rearing horsefield tortoise. These experts are likely to take good care of the animal, so that you can buy them in healthy conditions. You should only procure the animal from dealers you could interact with face to face. Another good reason you will maintain a communication with your seller is that he could link you to the veterinary doctor who knew the life history and health challenges facing the animal.
Information and Facts
Key Information you should bear in mind before you buy a tortoiseIt is never advisable to buy the animal online as you are not sure of what you are buying. You must consider some important factors before you commit your money to any horsefield tortoise. You have to be sure of the part of the world the animal is coming from. The source is very important, you have to be sure that the animal is in a good condition. There could be health problems like parasites and diseases. Secondly, you should look for only captive bred. If the tortoise is captured in your country, it is the best for you because it is familiar with the environment. When finding a captured breed becomes difficult, long term captive becomes the next alternative. You should also avoid buying a wild caught tortoise. These may not be healthy. If it is recently caught, do not buy it. Thirdly, do not go for a cheap horsefield tortoise. Most of the cheap tortoises are recently caught and some are shipped from other countries.
Diet
Four clawed tortoises like most other tortoises is a herbivore animal. You have to feed your tortoise with leafy greens, flowers vegetation. Tortoise also needs a balanced diet to stay healthy and active. You should be offering them food pellets from time to time. You should make sure that the diet you give to your horsefield tortoise is the correct one. Here is the list of foods you should include in the diet; they are cucumber, spinach, bananas, tomatoes as well as iceberg lettuce and several others. You should not over feed your tortoise as it could endanger the health of the animal. For a healthy shell, you shall be feeding the tortoise with food rich in calcium substances. These days there are different calcium supplements, which you could buy from stores around your neighborhood. You can also feed them with cuttlefish, as it is rich in calcium. This also helps to maintain the tortoise beaks. You should not feed your horsefield tortoise with meat products. Most importantly, give your tortoise fresh drinking water several times a day.
Food
You should feed your tortoise with varieties of food as much as you can. You should feed it with fruits sparingly. Here are examples of foods you can give to your tortoise: cabbage, apple, dandelion, clover, spring green, pear, chickweed, carrot, grape, sow thistle, kale, melon, and several others. You have to research about the right food you should be feeding your horsefield tortoise with. However, you should not give poisonous foods to your tortoise. Here are some of the plants you should never give your tortoise: daffodils, lupines, mistletoe, and foxglove, Lilly of the valley, hydrangea, peony, tobacco plant, and several others. It is important you find out the type of food that could be harmful to your tortoise.
Horsefield tortoise housingTortoise also needs to be protected from hot weather and cold weather. It is necessary to have both an indoor and outdoor housing for the animal. The housing should be kept at the normal temperature so that the animal is not exposed to danger and the vagaries of weather. To be contained in the house includes bulbs, brackets, as well as lamps. The shop should be comfortable for the tortoise no matter the age.
Hibernation
The most difficult times for horsefield tortoise owners are during its hibernation period, which is towards the end summer of every year. At this time, the temperature begins to drop. It is important you try a safe hibernation technique to ensure that the animal withstands the change in temperature. Here are some important tips that could help you during this period. First, you need to procure vivariums. This will help to extend the summer period for the animal and reduces the period of hibernation. Secondly, before hibernating the animal, you must ensure that it has emptied everything in its stomach. The hibernation box to use should be strong and must be stored between the temperatures of 3 to 7 degree C. Furthermore, ensure that the compost or the soil prevents dehydration of the animal.
Care Sheet
Before you buy a horsefield or any other type of tortoise, you must be sure that everything you need to take care of the animal is put in place. Most basic things needed are those relating to housing and temperature. Tortoise requires a comfortable outdoor and indoor enclosure. The enclosure must have enough protection against the vagaries of weather and predators. To be available for tortoise includes a vivarium with adequate lighting and heating as this regulates the temperature when it drops. You need to have bed, blanket, bulbs, light, food, and drugs for your pet.
Substrate
This tortoise is a substrate animal, this is why a substrate box of different sizes should be provided for it. The box should have a sufficient temperature. It helps to stabilize the animal.
Temperature
As a cold-blooded animal four clawed tortoises need heat. This is why in its natural habitat, it keeps moving in and out of the sun. Tortoise needs to maintain a stable temperature in order to survive. It regulates its temperature by digging the soil during the night. The soil was already heated during the day. This is why there should be a sufficient lightening system for tortoise.