Horsfield’s Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii)
| Horsfield’s Tortoise Testudo horsfieldii | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Horsfield’s Tortoise |
| Name Lat. | Testudo horsfieldii |
| Family | Tortoises |
| Family lat. | Testudinidae |
| Order | Turtles |
| Order lat. | Testudines |
| Origin | Central Asia |
| Habitat | Steppes |
| 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 II; EU Annex B |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 20 cm |
| Temperature | 25-30 °C |
| Temperature Local | 35-45 °C |
| Housing Size | 180 x 80 x 50 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 8" |
| Temperature | 77-86 °F |
| Temperature Local | 95-113 °F |
| Housing Size | 70" x 30" x 20" |
Distribution and habitat
The range of the four-toed tortoise extends from the Caspian Sea through Kazakhstan to western China and south to Afghanistan and Pakistan. They inhabit rocky deserts, sandy and clayey steppes, where they usually stay near water bodies.
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.180 x 80 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: 15-20 °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 the anal opening is closer to the tip of the tail than in females.
For successful breeding, the animals must hibernate for 3-5 months to mature sperm. Mating occurs before and immediately after hibernation. Egg laying (2-20 eggs) occurs between June and September, at a depth of about 15 cm, in a sandy, southeast-facing location. The incubation period is 60-90 days at 25-30 °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
Protection of species: WA Annex II; EU Annex B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it in a safe place!
Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.
Important
They like to dig burrows and caves. Three subspecies are known in their range.
In summer they can be kept well in an outdoor enclosure, protected from damp cold (shelter house) (min. 15 °C during the day, min. 10 °C at night). Hibernation lasts 3-5 months at 4-8 °C, depending on the origin of the animals. 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: petdata
Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von ReptilienENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag; ROGNER (2009): Taschenatlas Schildkröten, Verlag Ulmer
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF