About
Some people specifically buy tortoises as pets because they’re interested in owning a pet that may live as long as they will, since many people have a difficult time coping with the loss of their pets. Tortoises have the reputation for being long-lived, but different breeds of tortoises are going to vary in terms of their life expectancy. Some tortoises have unremarkable lifespans. Greek tortoises actually do live up to that reputation, since they may be able to live for a full century each.
If pet owners care for their Greek tortoises adequately, they will be able to keep them for their entire lives. Greek tortoises can be the ultimate companion animals in that regard, and caring for them can be an interesting adventure for pet owners all around the world. Greek tortoises are easily distinguished based on unique features on their thighs, specifically their spur shapes. It gives the tortoises a truly unique look, as befits such a unique animal.
For Sale/ Buying
Pet owners that are looking to purchase their own Greek tortoises shouldn’t have a problem finding them. Greek tortoises are among the most popular domestic tortoises, and online dealers, reptile expos, breeders, and pet stores should all carry them. Breeders, dealers, and expos are typically more reliable than pet stores for various reasons, especially in terms of the health of the tortoise in question. Customers will be able to shop around for healthy Greek tortoises, and they’ll be able to find the animals that they’ve always wanted.
Diet
Greek tortoises are going to primarily live off of plant food. Tortoises are herbivorous animals and shouldn’t be given animal products. However, giving Greek tortoises cuttlebone to gnaw on will help them get the calcium that they need in order to keep themselves healthy and strong. Giving almost any animal a variety of foods is a good idea, since different plants are going to vary in terms of the chemicals and nutrients that they contain. However, Greek tortoises only consume a fairly narrow range of foods, so that variety must be found within a relatively narrow category.
Food
Many pet owners will order dried, organic herbs for their Greek tortoises. Tortoises tend to have a very low tolerance for pesticides, so it’s important to make sure they eat herbs and weeds that have not been contaminated. Many outdoor weeds, including clover, thistle, and dandelions, can also work as great food sources for Greek tortoises if they weren’t treated with pesticides at any point. Some pet owners will supplement the diets of their tortoises with collard greens and turnip greens as well. There are brands of commercial processed food for tortoises that will work, but ideally, Greek tortoises should be given natural plant food.
Housing
Many pet owners are going to want to keep their Greek tortoises indoors, but Greek tortoises should ideally be housed outside. Keeping animals like cats outdoors is actively harmful, but Greek tortoises kept in safe outdoor enclosures will be at their happiest and healthiest. Tortoises also need to have adequate lighting in order to maintain their health, and setting up adequate light sources can be somewhat challenging for pet owners that are working on indoor enclosures. However, there are still plenty of pet owners that have managed to raise healthy, happy Greek tortoises indoors, and outdoor enclosures may not be on the table for everyone.
A pen that is six feet long and three feet wide will usually suffice for the majority of Greek tortoises that are kept indoors or outdoors, although a bigger enclosure will still be better. Greek tortoises can thrive with a range of different substrates. Cypress mulch will work for them, as will a combination of play sand and topsoil. Aspen shavings can also serve as effective substrates. The main thing is to avoid pine bedding or anything containing cedar ingredients, which will only prove to be damaging to Greek tortoises.
Hibernation
Greek tortoises may not need to be hibernated, but before they go into hibernation periods, they should be taken to the veterinarian for the sake of a thorough examination. Greek tortoises will usually start their hibernation periods in the middle of October, and their activity levels will reduce to zero by November. They need to be kept in a sufficiently warm, clean environment during hibernation periods, since problems that start when they’re hibernating can worsen with time, leaving the tortoises feeling very unhealthy by the time they resume their normal activity levels.
Care Sheet
Pet owners can seek out many different sources in order to find care sheets for their pet tortoises, including their Greek tortoises. Many veterinarians should offer these sorts of care sheets. Some tortoise owners do not consult the services of veterinarians, but they need veterinary medicine as much as all other pets. Veterinarians can give owners accurate care sheets, which is important given the amount of inaccurate information related to tortoises in cyberspace today. Many tortoise owners can recommend reliable care sheets to one another, which will help strengthen the community of tortoise owners.
Temperature
Greek tortoises thrive in temperatures of between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. People that live in certain outdoor climates shouldn’t have a problem keeping their tortoises healthy if they keep them outdoors. Otherwise, a properly placed heat lamp will do the trick for a pet owner that’s relying on an indoor enclosure. Indoor enclosures should be kept warmer at one end and cooler at another, which will give the Greek tortoise an appealing mix of temperatures and a place to cool off if necessary. Maintaining exact temperatures can always be challenging, but as long as the temperatures are kept around this range and within these parameters, the Greek tortoises should be fine.