Before getting a tortoise: lifespan, species, paperwork and long-term care

TUREFF• •0

Tortoises are slow, calm and fascinating to watch, and they can make rewarding pets. They are also one of the longest-term commitments you can make. Before buying one, it helps to understand how long they live, which species you are looking at, and what the law expects.

A pet for life, and possibly longer

Commonly kept Mediterranean tortoises can live for many decades, and estimates often run to 50 years or more; some have reached a century. A tortoise bought today may well outlive you. Think about who would care for it if your circumstances changed, and consider including it in your will, as many keepers do.

Know your species

Different species need very different care. Common examples in UK homes:

Hermann's tortoise, spur-thighed tortoise and marginated tortoise: Mediterranean species that eat a weed-based diet and usually hibernate in winter.
Horsfield's tortoise (also called the Russian tortoise): from Central Asia, also often hibernated.
Tropical and African species, such as red-footed, leopard and sulcata tortoises: these do not hibernate and have different heat, humidity and diet needs. Some, such as the sulcata, grow very large.

Find out the exact species before buying and read care guidance specific to it. Advice for one species can harm another.

Paperwork and the law in the UK

Several commonly kept tortoises, including Hermann's, spur-thighed and marginated tortoises, are protected under wildlife trade rules derived from CITES. In the UK, these species generally need an Article 10 certificate before they can be sold, offered for sale or used commercially. Selling one without a valid certificate is an offence, and buyers can be liable too. Things to know:

There are two kinds of certificate: one tied to a specific sale and seller, and one that stays with the individual animal.
Tortoises above a certain size usually need to be microchipped to be certificated.
A reputable seller will show you the paperwork and the chip should match it. Some buyers ask a vet to scan the chip before the purchase.
Giving a tortoise away without payment is treated differently from selling one.

Rules change and differ between countries, so check the current guidance from the UK government's wildlife licensing and CITES pages, or your own country's authority, before buying. Horsfield's and some other species have different requirements.

Never release a tortoise

If you can no longer keep a tortoise, never let it go in a park, garden or the countryside. It will not survive the climate, and in Great Britain releasing an animal that is not native into the wild is generally an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Abandoning a pet can also fall foul of animal welfare law. Contact a tortoise rescue, reptile rescue or your vet for help rehoming it instead.

What you will need before it arrives

an indoor enclosure with a heat source and UVB lighting
a secure, sunny, escape-proof outdoor area for warmer months in suitable climates
a supply of the right plants and weeds, and a calcium supplement
a vet experienced with reptiles
a plan for winter, whether that is hibernation or not, depending on species

Consider adopting

Tortoise and reptile rescues often have animals needing homes, including adults with known histories. They can also help match you to a species that suits your space and experience. Thinking about getting a tortoise, or have you kept one for years? Ask your questions or share what you wish you had known in the comments.