Elongated tortoise — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Elongated tortoise — origin: South and Southeast Asia: northeastern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern China and the Malay Peninsula. Inhabits tropical deciduous and evergreen forests, where it seeks out shade and leaf litter..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min22 °C

Cool side24–26 °C

Warm side28–30 °C

Basking spot32–35 °C

Tropical forest species: maintain a gentle thermal gradient and a moderate night-time drop. Provide a localised hot spot for thermoregulation, but always partially shaded and paired with large cool areas — do not overheat the whole enclosure. Does not tolerate cold; never let it stay lastingly below 20 °C.

Enclosure (adult)

200 × 100 × 50 cm

Tortoise table or spacious ground-level terrestrial terrarium; a shaded, secured outdoor enclosure is ideal in a suitably warm, humid climate (protected from predators and escapes).

Favour a large floor area rather than height. Provide numerous hides (wood, plants, leaf piles) and heavily shaded areas, as this species avoids direct light. Dimensions given for one adult; increase for several individuals.

Humidity

70–85 %

High humidity is essential (tropical forest). Mist, keep a moist substrate and provide a humid microclimate under the hides. Insufficient humidity promotes dehydration and pyramiding of the carapace, especially in juveniles.

Substrate

Coco fibreUntreated topsoilBark / mulch (cypress or orchid type)Sphagnum mossDead-leaf litter

A moisture-retaining mix, at a sufficient depth (10–15 cm or more) to let the tortoise burrow. Leaf litter recreates its natural environment and encourages it to explore. Remove droppings and uneaten food to limit mould and parasites.

UVB

Optional

UVB is necessary for the synthesis of vitamin D3 and mineralisation of the shell. T5 HO 5–6% tube (or equivalent) positioned to create a gradient, with mandatory large shaded areas where the tortoise can escape the light it dislikes. Replace the UVB source per the manufacturer's recommendations (approx. every 6–12 months). Exposure to unfiltered natural sunlight, in an outdoor enclosure, is excellent where the climate allows.

Water source

Always available

Permanently provide a shallow, clean and stable water dish allowing the tortoise to drink and immerse itself. Regular lukewarm baths recommended (once to several times a week, more often for juveniles) for hydration and transit.

Origin

Testudinidae

South and Southeast Asia: northeastern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern China and the Malay Peninsula. Inhabits tropical deciduous and evergreen forests, where it seeks out shade and leaf litter.

Feeding & health

Diet

Omnivore with a frugivorous/herbivorous tendency — Snails, slugs, earthworms; carrion occasionally

Based on fibrous plants (leaves, flowers, edible weeds) and fallen fruit, supplemented by a small share of animal protein (molluscs, occasional carrion). Feed in shaded areas. Supplement with calcium (and a little D3 depending on the UVB). Avoid excess sugary fruit and too much animal protein, a source of kidney problems.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 2–10 eggs/young. Clutch of 2 to 10 eggs (often 2–4), sometimes with several clutches per year. Courtship stimulated by the rainy season. Incubation of about 90 to 130 days at 28–30 °C depending on temperature and humidity. Female digs a nest; provide a loose, moist substrate suitable for laying.

Health watch points

Internal parasitism (nematodes, flagellates) very common in wild-caught animals — faecal exam and veterinary deworming on arrival
Respiratory infections (discharge, noisy breathing) linked to temperatures that are too low or to stress
Import stress, anorexia and weight loss in newly acquired wild individuals
Metabolic bone disease and pyramiding of the shell (calcium/D3 deficiency, insufficient UVB, humidity too low)
Dehydration and kidney disorders / gout (lack of water, excess protein)

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 2 documented genes for Elongated tortoise.

Hypomelanistic golden phaseDom
Albino (T-)Rec

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

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Elongated tortoise × Elongated tortoise

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the elongated tortoise.

How big does the elongated tortoise get as an adult?▾

Most adults measure between 25 and 30 cm in carapace length, rarely more than 35 cm. Its shell is distinctly elongated and domed, loaf-shaped, with a clearly visible nuchal scute and a straw-yellow tone on the head and legs, more pronounced in males during the breeding season.

What kind of enclosure does an adult need?▾

Allow at least 200 x 100 cm of floor space for a single adult, on a tortoise table or in a spacious terrestrial terrarium, with a shaded outdoor enclosure possible in a suitably warm, humid climate. Favour floor area over height, and provide plenty of hides and heavily shaded zones, since this tortoise avoids direct light.

What temperature gradient should be provided?▾

Aim for a cool side around 24-26 °C, a warm side of 28-30 °C and a basking spot of 32-35 °C, always partially shaded. At night, do not let it drop below 22 °C, and avoid any prolonged spell below 20 °C: this is a tropical species that must be kept within these ranges year-round, with no winter cooling period.

Why is humidity so important for this species?▾

Native to the humid tropical forests of South and Southeast Asia, it needs high humidity, between 70 and 85%. Air that is too dry promotes dehydration and pyramiding of the shell, especially in youngsters; mist regularly and keep the substrate moist, particularly under the hides.

Is UVB lighting necessary?▾

Yes, a T5 HO 5-6% UVB tube is recommended for vitamin D3 synthesis and proper mineralisation of the shell, to be replaced roughly every 6 to 12 months. Still, keep large shaded areas available, as this tortoise dislikes bright light; unfiltered natural sunlight outdoors remains the best option where the climate allows.

What does the elongated tortoise eat?▾

Its diet is omnivorous with a frugivorous and herbivorous leaning: leaves, flowers, edible weeds and fallen fruit, supplemented with a small share of animal protein such as snails or slugs, and occasionally carrion. Feed it in shaded areas, supplement with calcium, and avoid excess sugary fruit or animal protein, which favour kidney problems.

Does it need water and baths?▾

Yes: a shallow, clean and stable water dish must be available at all times for drinking and soaking. Regular lukewarm baths, once to several times a week and more often for juveniles, help with hydration and healthy digestion.

How long does this tortoise live?▾

It is a very long-lived species, with a typical life expectancy of 40 to 60 years, some individuals even exceeding 60 years under good captive care. Acquiring an elongated tortoise is therefore a commitment spanning several decades.

How does it behave, and can it be handled?▾

It is a calm, discreet and rather shy species that actively seeks out shade and dislikes bright light; it is generally peaceful in captivity but handling should be kept to a minimum. Beware of males, which can become pushy or even aggressive towards each other or towards females during the breeding season: avoid housing several males together.

Is this tortoise suitable for a beginner?▾

Its care level is rated intermediate, but one point deserves special attention: the large majority of available individuals are wild-caught, often stressed, fragile and anorexic on arrival. Acclimating them actually requires an advanced skill level and warrants veterinary follow-up, particularly to screen for the internal parasites very common in these animals.

How does it reproduce?▾

It is oviparous and lays 2 to 10 eggs per clutch (often 2 to 4), sometimes with several clutches a year triggered by the rainy season. Incubation takes about 90 to 130 days between 28 and 30 °C, and the female needs a loose, moist substrate to dig her nest.

What are the most common health problems?▾

Wild-caught individuals very often suffer from internal parasitism (nematodes, flagellates), which is why a faecal exam and veterinary deworming are warranted upon acquisition. Respiratory infections also occur when temperatures are too low, along with metabolic bone disease and shell pyramiding from a deficiency in calcium, D3 or insufficient humidity, as well as kidney problems caused by excess protein or too little water.

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