Greek Tortoise Care (Spur-thighed)

Greek tortoises are one of the most common species of tortoises kept as pets. These medium-sized tortoises are relatively easy to care for but you should be prepared for their long lifespans.

They can be kept indoors or outdoors, although the latter is usually better, and are fun and interesting pets.

Greek tortoises are widespread across North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. This article will teach you everything you need to know about Greek tortoise care.

Greek Tortoise Care Care Guide]

Quick reference section

• Experience level: Beginner to Intermediate
• Family: Testudinidae
• Scientific name: Testudo graeca
• Other names: Spur-thighed Tortoise
• Adult Male Size: 5½ to 6 inches
• Adult Female Size: 7 to 10 inches
• Average Lifespan: 50 to 100 years
• Average Price Range: $180 to $450

Interesting facts about Greek tortoises

There are at least 12 subspecies of the Greek tortoise, and each one mainly reflects a specific country where the subspecies resides. These include the Armenian tortoise (Testudo armeniaca) and the Tunisian tortoise (Testudo nabeulensis).

Golden Greek tortoises are one of the most popular Greek tortoise subspecies due to their beautiful coloration.

What does a Greek tortoise look like?

These medium-sized tortoises usually vary between yellow to dark brown in coloration. Their shells are covered with dark mosaic-like patterns, similar to an Ancient Greek mosaic. Their shells are quite highly domed.

Greek tortoises have three spurs protrude from their thighs, giving them their alternative name of “Spur-thighed tortoise”. Their powerful front legs and claws are used for digging.

How big do Greek tortoises get?

A Greek tortoise’s size will depend on the exact subspecies. The average sizes for Greek tortoises are 5½ to 6 inches long for males and 7 to 10 inches long for females.

Where do Greek tortoises live?

Greek tortoises are a widespread species found across much of the Mediterranean. They can be found in countries along the North coast of Africa as well as in Lebanon, Israel, and Spain.

Some subspecies of Greek tortoises which thrive in colder climates will hibernate during the winter. Other subspecies do not hibernate and will settle in warmer areas because they cannot withstand cold temperatures.

What kind of habitat do Greek tortoises need?

Greek tortoises are found in dry, hot climates across the Mediterranean. They like rocky areas, hillsides, as well as forests and scrublands.

To replicate these areas, you should ideally live in a warm area if you plan on keeping your Greek tortoise outside. This species can be kept inside but will need a fair amount of space.

How long do Greek tortoises live in captivity?

Greek tortoises live much longer in captivity than they do in the wild. Native Greek tortoises may survive for 20 years if they are lucky. In captivity, they can easily live for 50 to 100 years.

What do Greek tortoises eat?

In the wild, Greek tortoises often consume a variety of weeds and herbs including dandelions and thistles. Although it is not an essential part of their diet, these tortoises will also eat grass if they come across it, especially while enjoying outdoor time in captivity.

In captivity, its best to aim for a staple Greek tortoise diet of leafy green vegetation and weeds such as collard greens, dandelions, and herbs such as parsley.

How do Greek tortoises breed?

During the breeding season, male Greek tortoises will aggressively pursue females, often ramming them. The male will then mount the female, who will sway as the male cries out.

Once mating is complete, females will go and find somewhere to lay the eggs. A couple of days before laying, females will become very aggressive and will try and mount other animals.

The female will then dig a hole and lay the eggs. She can have up to three clutches a year, each with a maximum of 15 eggs. It will take about 100 days before the eggs hatch.

What predators do Greek tortoises face?

Greek tortoises can be vulnerable to predators such as birds, foxes, lizards, snakes, and raccoons. The eggs are also prized by predators.

Gree Tortoise Care sheet

Habitat

Enclosure

Depending on your climate, you can keep Greek tortoises inside and outside. However, if you have the correct temperatures to do so, it is always best to keep your reptile outside for at least part of the year.

This gives them enough room to roam around, but they should be protected from predators using some sort of pen. If keeping your tortoise outdoors, make sure to have areas where they can get both direct sunlight as well as shade.

Greek tortoises do not need tall enclosures, but they do need a lot of floor space. If housing them indoors, a tortoise table or wooden vivarium is a good setup. Bear in mind that tortoise tables aren’t great at retaining heat, so only use one of these if your house is warm.

As for enclosure size, an indoor enclosure should be around 6 foot long and 3 foot wide. This gives your tortoise plenty of space to explore. If you can, you should still give your tortoise some time outside in warmer conditions. A bigger space is always better.

Recommended basic products

When keeping a Greek tortoise, you’ll require a few essential items. Most of these apply mainly if you are keeping your tortoise indoors. We’ve provided a list below.

• Enclosure (Indoors): Zoo Med Tortoise House
• UVB light/heat bulb: Zoo Med PowerSun
• UVB test cards: Reptizoo UV test cards
• Light fixture: Zoo Med Combo Deep Dome fixture
• Timer: Zoo Med Timer
• Thermometer: Exo Terra Thermometer
• Laser thermometer (For optional checking): Etekcity Lasergrip
• Water bowl: Zoo Med Repti-Ramp Bowl (Extra Large)

Cleaning

Cleaning a Greek tortoise’s enclosure can be relatively easy. Daily, spot clean the enclosure and remove any food that your tortoise hasn’t eaten.

Once a week, clean the whole enclosure as thoroughly as possible if you are keeping your tortoise indoors. If housed outdoors, you can clean a little less often.

Substrate

Greek tortoises are frequent diggers, so need a deep and loose substrate. If you’re building a tortoise pen for them outside, the supports will need to be planted at least six inches deep to prevent your tortoise escaping.

The substrate should also be something that can hold some humidity, such as mulch that is safe for reptile use. Some types of wood shavings, such as aspen, are also good for both bedding and substrate. A mix of soil and sand is also a good substrate to use.

Place the food for your tortoise in a bowl or other form of receptacle so they don’t accidentally swallow their substrate, as this could cause problems for them.

Temperature

Your Greek tortoise will need warm conditions or they may develop health problems. The ambient temperature should be somewhere between 75 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

The lowest overnight temperatures that a Greek tortoise can tolerate is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit if being housed outdoors.

If kept outdoors, make sure that your tortoise has access to an area of direct sunlight to allow them to bask. Indoors, you’ll need to provide a basking spot with a temperature around 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Using a mercury vapor bulb like the Zoo Med PowerSun can take care of both heating and UVB needs for your Greek tortoise.

Any Greek tortoise enclosure should provide a temperature gradient to allow your reptile to regulate their body temperature. This means also providing some shaded areas or hides.

Humidity

Greek tortoises prefer moderate humidity levels that range between 40% and 60%. You can keep this level up by providing a moisture-retaining substrate such as mulch and by misting every couple of days. Keeping your tortoise’s water bowl topped up will also help.

Lighting

Like all reptiles, Greek tortoises need direct exposure to ultraviolet rays in order to get their bodies moving. Ultraviolet light also helps your tortoise stay healthy and enable it to absorb calcium and other nutrients by generating Vitamin D.

If you can keep your Greek tortoise outside for most of the year, they should get enough sunlight and UVB from natural exposure.

When housing your tortoise indoors, you will need to provide UVB light for them using a bulb or lamp. This should be a desert-strength light, with around 10 to 12% UVB.

The Zoo Med PowerSun mercury vapor bulb is ideal as it combines a heat and UVB lamp in one bulb. Whichever light you use should be kept on a 12-hour day/night cycle to stimulate the natural progression of a day in the wild.

Accessories

With the right accessories, you can create an enriching and fun Greek tortoise habitat. These tortoises like to burrow in order to hide, so providing some hiding places in the form of logs or rocks is a good start.

Make sure that any decorations are either fixed or are not heavy enough to harm your tortoise should they fall.

Plants are also a good addition to both indoor and outdoor Greek tortoise habitats. We have a list of tortoise-safe plants here.

Some tortoise-safe houseplants make great tortoise table decorations, such as succulents or spider plants. Providing live plants can give additional cover for your tortoise as well as some extra variety in their diet.

Another good accessory to provide for your Greek tortoise is a cuttlefish bone. Your tortoise will gnaw this to get extra calcium and to help keep their beak healthy. Hay is also good for this.

Feeding

Greek tortoises are herbivores. That means that their diet consists mainly vegetables and they do not consume any meat. Dark leafy greens should form the primary food source of your Greek tortoise’s diet, which should be high in fiber and low in protein.

Collard greens and Dandelion leaves are great staple foods. Grass can also be provided as part of your tortoise’s outdoor enclosure, and your reptile will graze on this while exploring.

For variety, you can also offer other weeds like antirrhinum, chickweed, hawk-bits, sow thistle, and violas. Salad crops like kale, spring greens, and watercress are also good food sources.

Vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, and squash are also acceptable foods for Greek tortoises. Be sure to feed these in moderation only.

Some fruits can be fed sparingly, but only if your tortoise likes fruit. Some individuals can’t handle the high sugar content and may experience diarrhea or vomiting. Never feed citrus fruits as they contain too much acid.

Commercial pellets can also be fed for some variety in moderation. You can also provide calcium supplements for your tortoise, especially if being housed indoors.

How often should you feed your Greek tortoise?

Greek tortoises should be fed every day. This should mainly consist of a staple diet of leafy green vegetation such as dandelion leaves and other weeds.

In moderation, you can provide some vegetables such as kale, watercress, carrots, and tomatoes. If keeping your tortoise inside, use calcium supplements as well.

For water, you should provide a water dish such as the extra large Zoo Med Repti-Ramp Bowl and keep it topped up.

Soaking your tortoise in a tub two to three times per week will also help your tortoise get the water it needs. Take care to make this bath shallow so as not to drown your tortoise.

Temperament and handling

Are Greek tortoises good pets?

When considering a Greek tortoise as a pet, you should bear in mind that, like most tortoises, this species isn’t particularly fond of being handled. It can cause them a lot of stress and should only be done when necessary.

That said, Greek tortoises are beautiful reptiles with striking markings and can become affectionate pets. Because they live for so long, once they’re used to you they will approach you quite happily, especially if you have food!

Can Greek tortoises live together?

In terms of temperament, Greek tortoises are very docile and can even be housed in pairs or groups. Make sure that males and females are kept separately, as males may fight each other during the breeding season. If you’re housing males only, they shouldn’t get too territorial and can live together quite happily.

Signs of good health

Whether you are choosing your new Greek tortoise or performing health checks on one you’ve had for years, there are a few signs to look for.

The tortoise’s eyes should be clear and alert, and there shouldn’t be any constant mucus from their nose. A healthy shell will be smooth without any flaking.

Greek tortoises are voracious eaters, and if a tortoise is refusing to eat it is usually a sign of health problems.

Health concerns

The biggest and most common ailment that affects Greek tortoises is Metabolic Bone Disease. This is caused by your tortoise not getting enough calcium through their diet and UV exposure.

MBD can result in deformed shell growth and weak bones. This can be detected by symptoms such as pyramiding.

Shell rot is also something to bear in mind. This happens if your tortoise develops a fungal infection and can also cause deformed shell growth.

Breathing problems must also be watched for. This is usually caused by your enclosure not having the right temperature or humidity levels, so make sure to follow these guidelines. You can detect breathing problems if your tortoise is very lethargic or if you hear them wheezing.

Video about the Greek tortoise by Kemp Kenan

This video provides a full overview of the Greek tortoise and touches on subspecies and their care requirements.

Greek tortoise Hatchling Care

Giving your hatchlings the right living conditions and care can help them grow into very healthy Greek tortoise adults.

Hatchlings will need a smaller enclosure as they are only about an inch long when born. A 20-gallon glass tank is the best choice as it helps to retain heat. Keeping your hatchlings warm is vital, and they can tolerate the same temperatures as adults.

The humidity must be kept higher for hatchlings, around 65% to 70%. This promotes healthy growth. To achieve the right humidity, spray the tank regularly using warm water. Keep the substrate moist and use something that holds humidity.

Hatchlings can eat the same kind of food as adults, but make sure to chop any food up into smaller pieces. Calcium supplements must also be used to help promote growth.

Frequently Asked Questions about Greek tortoises

How long can a Greek tortoise go without eating?

Of course it is not recommended to neglect feeding your Greek tortoise. But if for some reason you are unable to feed them, they can go quite a long time without food.

Depending on the health of the individual, Greek tortoises can survive for as long as six months without food. However, they must have their other needs met such as drinking water and UV light exposure.

If you’re someone who goes on business trips, leaving your Greek tortoise without food for a week or two shouldn’t harm them. However, they must be able to have drinking water and UVB light.

Can Greek tortoises eat cucumber?

Like most tortoises, cucumber is fine for Greek tortoises to eat. It can be a welcome treat on very hot days and will help to hydrate your tortoise.

However, cucumber is almost devoid of nutrients, so it is not recommended as a regular staple food for your Greek tortoise.

Conclusion

Greek tortoise care is a fun and exciting experience for intermediate reptile keepers. However, due to their specific temperature and humidity needs, Greek tortoises may prove a challenge for novice owners.

While you won’t be able to handle your Greek tortoise regularly, they are still a fascinating species to watch as they explore their enclosure, digging and eating. They are a relatively manageable size for most owners and can be kept both indoors and outdoors in the right conditions.

You should also be prepared for the long lifespan of a Greek tortoise as they can live for up to 100 years in captivity. Have a plan in place in case they outlive your ownership.

If you enjoyed this guide to Greek tortoise care, or if you’re considering getting this species, please feel free to leave a comment below!

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