The Greek Tortoise is among the more popular types of tortoises that are kept as pets today. If you are considering getting one as a pet, do your research in advance. This way, you will be knowledgeable and prepared for owning one of these magnificent creatures.Sometimes called the Golden Tortoise, the greek tortoise is a beautiful reptile that ranges greatly in coloring. Some are a golden-yellow color, while others can be dark brown with olive green. They are a smaller type of tortoise, with adults only reaching 6 to 7 inches (15 to 18 cm) in length. They are considered to be intelligent and shy, but with proper handling and time they can be very friendly animals. Having a Greek Tortoise is a lifetime commitment, as they can live over 50 years with proper care. They come from a temperate climate zone, and prefer a dry environment.
The environment in which you keep your Greek Tortoise will greatly determine how healthy she will be. The wrong substrate can be extremely harmful, so be sure to get something that is safe for her. You can make your own sandy substrate that is half Caribbean play sand and half topsoil, which nicely mimics many of the natural habitats of the Greek Tortoise. You can also provide milled coconut fiber and certain types of shredded wood chips. It is also important for your tortoise to have a cave or other type of shelter to hide in, so she can feel safe and hidden when she needs to.
The Greek Tortoise is a strict vegetarian, and must maintain a high fiber, low protein diet. Too much protein can actually lead to renal failure and death, so be careful with what you are feeding your tortoise. The best diet is plenty of dark leafy green, including dandelion leaves, kale, and turnip leaves. You can provide fruits as treats, but too many fruits can cause diarrhea and other intestinal problems.
Some tortoises will need extra calcium in their diet. To provide this for them, you can do one of two things. A pure calcium carbonate can be added to their diet, and you can also give them cuttlebone. Cuttlebone is actually bone from a cuttlefish, and can be found in the bird section of most pet stores. Your tortoise will need to have a steady supply of fresh drinking water to stay hydrated. You can also bathe your Greek Tortoise in lukewarm water, which will keep her clean and help with hydration.