Popular Tortoises (Advanced Vivarium Systems)

Book excerpt: Tortoises are simply vegetable-eating turtles, and because of their easy care requirements they are among the most popular of all herps kept as pets. This colorful and informative guide proves the perfect introduction to these attractive reptiles. Author Philippe de Vosjoli provides guidelines for selecting and keeping the most popular tortoises, highlighting the leopard tortoise, African spurred tortoise, red-footed tortoise, Russian tortoise, and pancake tortoise. For each he provides insight into size, sexing, housing, temperature requirement, feeding, hibernation, breeding, and more. This Advanced Vivarium Systems title includes information about selecting a healthy example, quarantine and acclimation considerations, housing needs, water and feeding, as well as solid advice about keeping tortoises healthy. A separate chapter on diseases and disorders provides a complete primer on the health needs and veterinary care of these rewarding reptiles.