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Golden Greek Tortoise (Testudo gracea terrestris)
Originating from Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon these beautiful,
small, light colored tortoises make excellent pets. They are curious, a manageable size, and very hardy. While taxonomic information is still being
gathered to determine what exact species or subspecies have been brought into
the pet trade as “golden greeks” we can say that greek tortoises in general are
great companions and the golden appearance of these individuals makes them even
more appealing. It is currently
believed that due to their light
coloration, Golden Greeks are likely to originate from a sandy area, much like Testudo
klenimanni.
Life span: Up to 50 years
Size: 8”-10”
Appearance: Small round carapace with colors varying from greenish browns occasionally including black markings to solid light yellow. Some individuals also display peach hues on their limbs and face.
Captive Care:
Cage- A 4’x 2’ open pen is ideal for no more than 2 adults of this species. Tortoise tables are easy to build and can be purchased commercially if you are not the building type!
Décor- As with most tortoises plants are difficult to use as cage décor as the animals will either trample or eat any vegetation. However, if plants are kept in clay pots or elevated and protected against the tortoises or you are okay with frequently replacing plants that are killed it is possible to provide them some in-cage greenery. Rocks and large well-secured logs can also be used for providing a stimulating terrain and areas to hide.
Lighting- UVB is suggested to allow proper vitamin D3 synthesis with a basking spot of 95*F.
Substrate- These tortoises do well on packed dry dirt or hay.
Water- Providing a shallow water dish that the tortoise can easily walk in and out of at will within the pen will allow them to control their needed hydration. You may alternatively choose to soak your tortoise in luke warm water 1x/week and let it soak for 15 minutes if having standing water in the cage proves too difficult or is not being utilized by the animal. We have never seen our animals use a standing water dish and have opted for the once a week soaking instead.
Humidity- should be kept low (30-50%).
Temperature- 68*F-90*F ambient temps. with cooler temps. being provided at night.
Feeding- High fiber grassy diet, we have found ours loves clover in particular. You may also offer items such as squash, dandelions, carrots, endive, collard greens, kale, and various other safe dark leaved plants.
Breeding- It is suggested any breeding group of females be allowed to socialize and establish social hierarchy over a period of one year. These tortoises form a type of pecking order when kept in groups. They also require a hibernation period of 4-5 months (typically they will do this from October to March). Once they have come out of hibernation they will readily begin feeding and breeding. Males follow and ram females prior to mounting. The mounted males vocalize by making soft grunting sounds. Mating occurs during the daytime throughout the year from April through October. Females typically begin nesting and egg laying 30 days after successful copulation. Clutches are laid in flask-shaped nests dug by the females and contain 2-3 eggs per clutch. Eggs should be carefully removed from the nest and placed in an incubator at 86*F, 60-80% humidity, and will hatch in approximately 70 days.
Life span: Up to 50 years
Size: 8”-10”
Appearance: Small round carapace with colors varying from greenish browns occasionally including black markings to solid light yellow. Some individuals also display peach hues on their limbs and face.
Captive Care:
Cage- A 4’x 2’ open pen is ideal for no more than 2 adults of this species. Tortoise tables are easy to build and can be purchased commercially if you are not the building type!
Décor- As with most tortoises plants are difficult to use as cage décor as the animals will either trample or eat any vegetation. However, if plants are kept in clay pots or elevated and protected against the tortoises or you are okay with frequently replacing plants that are killed it is possible to provide them some in-cage greenery. Rocks and large well-secured logs can also be used for providing a stimulating terrain and areas to hide.
Lighting- UVB is suggested to allow proper vitamin D3 synthesis with a basking spot of 95*F.
Substrate- These tortoises do well on packed dry dirt or hay.
Water- Providing a shallow water dish that the tortoise can easily walk in and out of at will within the pen will allow them to control their needed hydration. You may alternatively choose to soak your tortoise in luke warm water 1x/week and let it soak for 15 minutes if having standing water in the cage proves too difficult or is not being utilized by the animal. We have never seen our animals use a standing water dish and have opted for the once a week soaking instead.
Humidity- should be kept low (30-50%).
Temperature- 68*F-90*F ambient temps. with cooler temps. being provided at night.
Feeding- High fiber grassy diet, we have found ours loves clover in particular. You may also offer items such as squash, dandelions, carrots, endive, collard greens, kale, and various other safe dark leaved plants.
Breeding- It is suggested any breeding group of females be allowed to socialize and establish social hierarchy over a period of one year. These tortoises form a type of pecking order when kept in groups. They also require a hibernation period of 4-5 months (typically they will do this from October to March). Once they have come out of hibernation they will readily begin feeding and breeding. Males follow and ram females prior to mounting. The mounted males vocalize by making soft grunting sounds. Mating occurs during the daytime throughout the year from April through October. Females typically begin nesting and egg laying 30 days after successful copulation. Clutches are laid in flask-shaped nests dug by the females and contain 2-3 eggs per clutch. Eggs should be carefully removed from the nest and placed in an incubator at 86*F, 60-80% humidity, and will hatch in approximately 70 days.