Tortoise shells consist of hard scales or scutes that look like segmented sections, and their function is to protect the bones inside the shell. You may also hear scutes called […]

While wild and captive tortoises are susceptible to developing bladder stones (also known as uroliths), they’re most commonly seen in tortoises living in captivity. When tortoises urinate, they produce a […]

Tortoises are susceptible to shell problems, especially during their formative years. Shell pyramiding occurs due to the wrong diet, sunlight, substrate, or humidity. Unfortunately, pyramiding can’t be reversed, but you […]

Tortoises brumate, which is different from hibernation. Some tortoise species never brumate, like the leopard tortoise, African spurred tortoise, red foot tortoise, and hingeback tortoise. A brumating tortoise will reduce […]

As cold-blooded reptiles, tortoises rely on external heat to regulate their internal temperature. This usually comes from exposure to direct sunlight. Tortoises rely on UVB rays, basking for many hours […]

Unlike turtles, tortoises cope better in hot climates. The desert tortoise is native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, with limited rainfall and frequent scorching heat. Even so, tortoises can […]