Q&A for How to Care for a Tortoise

If a heat lamp was situated above a corner, it might be basking. Although, if the lamp(s) was above the center, the area may be too hot for the tortoise, which drives it away from the middle into the corner. When a tortoise is stressed or tired but doesn't have enough hiding places or even a deep enough substrate in which to burrow, they have a tendency to scoot into one side of an enclosure for security.

Your tortoise's shell won't cave in if it has the right diet. Low protein, high fiber and lots of calcium should keep it healthy.

Neither. The water has to be warm, to stimulate his metabolism and encourage drinking.

You do not cut their nails. Instead, you buy a special stone. The tortoise will use the stone to file down its own nails.

I'd clean it at least once a week to remove debris and protect your tortoise from potential infection.

Tortoises don't often drink, but when they do, you might not be there to witness it. Try to check their water dishes regularly for recent particles of food or substrate, those are often telltale signs of drinking. If you're still not sure if they're drinking, soak them in warm water 2 to 3 times a week for 10 to 25 minutes, but don't remove their water dishes from their enclosure(s).

Tortoises normally shed their skin in small amounts that are usually not visible. Large pieces of skin peeling off are often indications of a seasonal growth, dryness, or irritation.

Hurry it to a vet to prevent infection, and be careful when handling.

Make sure you have a protective barrier around the pen, such as wire mesh. Depending on what kind of tortoise you have, you may need to bury the fence at least a foot underground. An over top casing may be necessary if you're worried about cats jumping off the fence from above.

Tortoises don't need any oil on their shells. For healthy shell development, their diet should be low in protein, high in fiber and with plenty of calcium. Their enclosures have to be kept humid with water sources.

It depends on the type of tortoise you have. Some species from cooler climates, such as Europe, may hibernate. Species from warmer, tropical climates do not hibernate.

Tortoise are naturally solitary as they often don't see another tortoise for miles in the wild. A tortoise will be happy alone as long as it has plenty of space, variety in its diet, fresh water, and a diverse terrain.

Tortoises make loving companions that are fairly easy to take care of. Most tortoises will eat a large variety of greens that you can purchase at your local grocery store for very cheap. Usually, a bundle will last about a week, and can cost less than a dollar. Tortoises do not require much attention, as they prefer to be left in solitude most of the time. If your tortoise warms up to you, he will allow you to pet him and hold him with no problems. These pets can live a very long time, 30~100 years, so make sure that you are committed.

If you want to keep multiple females together, you should get three or more. They're less likely to fight that way. Don't put two (or more) males together, and don't put a male and female together unless you want them to breed.

You can get a tortoise online, at a pet store, or at a fish tank or aquarium store. A pet store or fish tank/aquarium would be the better option, because you will be able to see what you are buying. When buying online, be sure to read the user reviews about that company and ask questions about the tortoise you are buying.

Low temperature, stress, and dehydration are some of the reasons for a tortoise to sleep more frequently. If your tortoise's environment, hydration, diet, and stress levels are in or above standards, you may need to take it to a veterinarian for a checkup.

They don't have to get their nails clipped, but they should be maintained. This can be done naturally by decorating their enclosure with pebbles or feeding them on stone slabs (this is good for their beaks too). Clipping their nails is only necessary if they're severely overgrown which can potentially cause injury or restriction to the tortoise, but if you have to have your tortoise's nails clipped, it's always safer to let a veterinarian do it.

Never take a tortoise into a pool. They are not water turtles and may sink and die. The chlorine can also irritate their skin and eyes.

Start with 1 cup. Depending on how he eats, you can give him a little more/little less the next time you feed him. About 4 to 5 times a week should be enough.

It is very hard to determine the age of a turtle, because its growth depends on its diet. You can only really knows its age if you know when it was born.

Keep in mind that hatchlings or babies sleep more often than older tortoises. It might be active in the day but at night they sleep. Contact your vet immediately for advice.

You really shouldn't use sand, as it may cause impaction for the tortoise if it eats the sand. Coco-fiber is perfect and won't harm the animal if he eats it.

Tortoises do not live in water. They will drown in water deeper than the edges of their shells, where the tops and plastrons meet. Tortoises are solitary critters. If you are thinking about turtles, which are aquatic, they do enjoy company.

Your tortoise might either be very young, as in which it'll sleep a lot, or it could be old, for which it will sleep a lot. But maybe it is a bored tortoise and it needs more toys or enrichment items in its tank. Up to you, you're the one responsible for its entertainment and happiness.

It is normal, as shells can vary. Don't wash it, just leave the shell be and appreciate the variation.

It depends on the conditions. If the weather is too harsh for all or part of the year, then indoors is preferable. Living outdoors is better if it's in a good temperature and humidity for part or most of the year. Also, be sure that it's not too hot, cold or dry for the hides and shades to be effective when the tortoise is brought outdoors.

In a warm area. They do not hibernate often if you're in the south. And keep bowl food near. Also, you may want to let him soak after he wakes up.

Feed it once every two days.

You should take him to a vet to see if they can help with this injury.

It depends on your type of tortoise for food, but most do eat leafy greens such as lettuce, romaine lettuce and maybe some veggies. Fruit should only be 5% of their diet. If it is a baby or a hatchling bathe him 2 or 3 times a week in very shallow lukewarm water.