Egyptian Tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni)

Egyptian Tortoise Testudo kleinmanni
Name	Egyptian Tortoise
Name Lat.	Testudo kleinmanni
Family	Tortoises
Family lat.	Testudinidae
Order	Turtles
Order lat.	Testudines
Origin	NE-Africa
Habitat	Dry forests
Diet	Herbs, veggies, grass, hay
Humidity	40-60 %
Behavior	♂ semi-aggressive
Keeping	Individual, harem
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Dry terrarium
Life Span	40-50 years
Protection	CITES Appendix I; EU Annex A
Metric Units
Size	14 cm
Temperature	25-30 °C
Temperature Local	35-45 °C
Housing Size	130 x 60 x 50 cm
US Units
Size	5.5"
Temperature	77-86 °F
Temperature Local	95-113 °F
Housing Size	50" x 25" x 20"

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the Egyptian tortoises is limited to a Mediterranean coastal strip about 50 km wide from Libya to southern Israel. They live there in the desert areas, dry forests and sand dunes.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals

1-2 animals

8PL x 4PL (L x W)

The carapace length (PL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal the footprint has to be increased by10 %, from the 5th animal on by 20 %. A terrarium of e.g.130 x 60 x 50 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

They need a spacious terrarium, structured with branches, robust plants and stones, with a burrowable 15-25 cm deep substrate, e.g. of sand-clay-gravel mixture as well as an easy to clean, small water basin for drinking. A small part of the substrate should always be kept slightly moist. In the case of group housing, separate sleeping areas should be provided and suitable measures for visual separation should be implemented

Temp. day: 25-30 °C

Temp. night: 18-20 °C

Temp. local: 35-45 °C

Humidity: 40-60

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 10-14 hrs, depending on the season. They need high light intensity and daily UV irradiation as well as sunny places with radiant heat.

Diet

They are omnivores, but they feed almost exclusively vegetarian. Their diet consists of a wide range of wild herbs (plantain, dandelion, parsley, etc.), hay and hay dressings, clover, sweet grasses, mushrooms and vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, cabbage leaves, cucumbers, zucchini and carrots, supplemented with commercial ready-made food for tortoises. Occasionally they require small amounts of animal protein, such as earthworms, snails or grasshoppers, and small pieces of hard-boiled egg. Fruit should be fed sparingly and infrequently because of the fructose content. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins is important. They drink little (drinking is done through the nose). Drinking water must always be available.

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

Males have a concave ventral carapace and a much longer tail than females. The anal opening of the male is closer to the tip of the tail than in the female.

Mating takes place in the spring. Eggs (1-4 pieces) are laid between June and August, at a depth of about 15 cm, on a sandy, southeast-facing site. The incubation period is 60-90 days at 25-35 °C. Juveniles require higher humidity (60-80%)

Life expectancy can be 40-50 years.

Species protection

The animal population must be reported in writing to the competent authority immediately after the start of keeping. Subsequently, all arrivals and departures must be reported

Species protection: WA Appendix I; EU Appendix A. You will receive a CITES document with the purchase, which confirms that this animal is an offspring. Please keep the CITES document in a safe place!

In your pet store you can get more information.

Important

It is important to lower the temperature below 20 °C at night. They are active throughout the year and do not hibernate in the conventional sense, but often take rest periods during the summer. In winter, for 2-3 months, the lighting duration is reduced by 2-3 hours and the temperature lowered by 3-4 °C. Outdoor keeping is not recommended

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly. Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Christian Sänger; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag; ROGNER (2009): Taschenatlas Schildkröten, Verlag Ulmer

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF