Land turtles make wonderful and fascinating pets, each with its unique characteristics and care requirements. If you’re considering welcoming a shelled companion into your home, here’s a guide to the 7 best land turtles to keep as pets, ensuring a rewarding and lasting connection.
1. Russian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii): Small Size, Big Personality
Russian tortoises are beloved for their compact size and endearing personalities. Living over 40 years, and sometimes even reaching a century, these tortoises thrive with consistent care and a habitat mirroring their rocky, desert-like natural environment.
2. Greek Tortoise (Testudo graeca): A Versatile Companion for All Levels
Suitable for both novice and experienced pet owners, the Greek tortoise can grow up to 10 inches long and live over 50 years. They appreciate outdoor enclosures with ample sunlight and a diet rich in dark leafy greens.
3. Hermann’s Tortoise (Testudo hermanni): Vibrant Colors and Long-Term Bonds
With vibrant shells and yellow-orange hues, Hermann’s tortoises make captivating long-term companions, living 50 years or more. They prefer outdoor enclosures resembling Mediterranean climates and a diet primarily consisting of plant matter.
4. Sulcata Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata): Sociable Giants with a Long Lifespan
Also known as the African spurred tortoise, the Sulcata tortoise is sociable and can live over 70 years with proper care. They need spacious outdoor enclosures and a diet mainly of fresh grass and hay.
5. Red-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria): Stunning Appearance, Easy-Going Nature
Red-footed tortoises, known for their stunning appearance and easy-going nature, make ideal pets with lifespans of 50 to 90 years in captivity. They thrive in outdoor enclosures with access to edible plants.
6. Yellow-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulata): Vibrant Lifelong Companions
Similar to red-footed tortoises, yellow-footed tortoises boast long lifespans and vibrant appearances. They require stable temperatures and ample space for outdoor living, with a diet comprising leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables.
7. Pancake Tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri): Unique and Space-Efficient Pets
Pancake tortoises, with their flat shells and distinctive appearance, suit pet owners with limited space. With proper care, they can live over 35 years, preferring outdoor living during warmer months.