Egg binding occurs when a gravid tortoise can’t lay her eggs. So, the eggs remain uncomfortably trapped inside the body, with potentially life-threatening consequences. The eggs can lacerate bodily tissue, […]

A healthy tortoise’s immune system will naturally fight off many harmful pathogens, but septicemia becomes more likely when germs multiply and spread unchecked. Septicemia and sepsis are often used interchangeably […]

A tortoise’s most iconic feature is its scutes. Aside from aesthetics, scutes are important for a tortoise’s health and well-being. Unfortunately, different ailments can adversely affect the scutes. All tortoise […]

Tortoises have a hard outer shell, not just scales like most reptiles. They’re born with shells that increase in size to accommodate their age-related growth and physical development. No, a […]

Every tortoise carries worms. However, if a tortoise’s natural immunity is compromised by stress, hibernation, or sickness, internal parasites like worms could adversely affect its health. You can tell if […]

Tortoises don’t poop as much as other animals, but they can still get constipated. Tortoises that can’t poop will become lethargic and disinterested in food, appearing stressed and uncomfortable. Tortoises […]

If ignored or left untreated, respiratory infections can be life-threatening because tortoises lack a diaphragm, meaning the chest and abdomen aren’t separated. The tortoise can’t cough up mucus, so it […]

Fecal impaction is often used interchangeably with bowel obstruction (intestinal obstruction). An intestinal obstruction refers to a blockage caused by foreign objects (pebbles, substrate, hair, etc.), while impaction only refers […]

Tortoises have naturally occurring bacteria in their mouths, manifesting as mouth rot when the immune system ceases to function efficiently, commonly due to ongoing stress. An infection (usually bacteria, but […]