Tortoises and terrapins are not easy pets to care for. They have very specific environmental, dietary and health needs that must be met to ensure they live healthy, happy lives. For this reason, we do not encourage keeping them as pets.

There are many unwanted tortoises and terrapins in need of experienced and committed homes, so if you do decide to take one on, please consider adopting rather than buying.

Tortoises can live for 75 years or more, so owning one requires careful long-term planning for their care, housing and associated costs. As they may outlive their owners, future arrangements should also be considered.

Terrapins can live for over 30 years and can grow to more than 30 cm in length, so owning one requires careful long-term planning for their care, housing and associated costs.

Tortoises need plenty of space to move, explore and behave naturally. Their ideal setup includes a heated indoor enclosure, as well as a secure, predator-proof outdoor run. They also require a safe hibernation area during winter, with carefully controlled temperature and humidity. Click to watch a video and find out more!

Terrapins require large ponds rather than small tanks, with at least 45 litres of water per 2.5 centimetres of shell length. They can be kept either indoors or outdoors, provided the conditions are suitable for their needs.

Tortoises need temperature zones, including a warm basking area with a heat source over stone or slate, as well as cooler shaded areas and hides. UVB lighting is essential for vitamin D3 production and calcium absorption, and should be provided for around 12 hours each day if natural sunlight is unavailable.

Terrapins need a basking area that allows them to fully leave the water, dry off, and bask. They are cold-blooded, so both basking and water temperatures must be thermostatically controlled, with water temperatures kept between 22–27°C. UVB lighting is needed daily if natural sunlight is not available. Maintaining water quality is essential, which requires a strong filtration system, weekly water changes of 15–20%, and regular testing of pH, ammonia, and nitrite levels.

Tortoises need enrichment that allows them to carry out natural behaviours such as basking, foraging, exploring, digging, and hiding. Their enclosure should include features such as rocks, logs, bridges, and shallow water trays, as well as safe, edible plants. A suitable substrate, such as a mix of soil, sand, and topsoil, should be provided to encourage digging and burrowing, which are important natural behaviours.

Terrapins need enrichment to support behaviours such as basking, swimming, hiding, digging, foraging, and nesting. Their environment should include a variety of substrates and features, such as logs, rocks, plants, and hiding places, to help mimic their natural habitat and encourage activity both in the water and on land.

Tortoises should be fed a diet mainly made up of weeds, grasses, and flowers, with occasional seasonal fruit. Their diet should be high in fibre and low in protein and sugar, with daily portions roughly the size of the tortoise’s shell. Supplements, such as Nutrabol or Arcadia EarthPro D3, may be provided as needed, and guidance can be used to identify which garden plants are safe for them to eat. Click here to find out which plants are safe for Tortoises to eat.

Terrapins should be fed a varied diet consisting of around 75% fresh greens, such as dandelions, watercress, and kale, and 25% protein or pellets. They should be fed two to three times per week, with portion sizes around the size of their shell for greens and the size of their head for protein. Terrapins must always be fed in water to prevent choking.

Tortoises and terrapins require regular health checks and careful observation. They should have access to an exotic, and their diet, environment and behaviour must be closely monitored.

Download: Tortoise Daily Tasks and Health Checklist
Download: Terrapin Daily Tasks and Health Checklist

Hibernation is a natural process for many tortoise species and plays an important role in their overall health and wellbeing. In the wild, it helps them survive periods of colder weather and limited food availability, while supporting natural life cycles and helping to prevent excessive growth. Tortoises are highly sensitive to their environment and respond to changes in temperature, daylight, and barometric pressure, which trigger the hibernation process.

However, not all tortoise species can safely hibernate, so it is essential to correctly identify your tortoise before considering it. Hibernation also carries risks, particularly in captivity, so you must ensure your tortoise is in good health and that a safe, appropriate method is used.

A successful hibernation period includes three key stages: a gradual wind-down phase, the hibernation period itself, and a careful warming-up phase afterwards.

Download: Tortoise Hibernation Guide