Asian forest tortoise — Care Sheet & Morphs

Q: How big does an adult Asian forest tortoise get?

An adult Asian forest tortoise typically measures 40–60 cm.

Husbandry requirements

Asian forest tortoise — origin: South and Southeast Asia: north-eastern India (Assam), Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Humid, shaded lowland and mountain forests (mesic environment, never arid)..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min18 °C

Cool side22–25 °C

Warm side27–30 °C

A cool, moisture-loving species: avoid overheating. Do not exceed ~30-32 °C (hyperthermia can be fatal). No truly scorching hot spot is needed, a slightly warmer area is enough. A night-time drop (18-20 °C) is beneficial.

Enclosure (adult)

400 × 200 × 100 cm

Large planted outdoor enclosure (in a warm, humid temperate climate) or spacious humid indoor enclosure/terrarium

Minimum dimensions for a single adult; provide larger and enriched (hides, dense shaded areas, live plants). CITES Appendix II / IUCN Critically Endangered species: favour captive-bred animals and avoid wild-caught specimens, which are very fragile. Sensitive to drought and excessive heat.

Humidity

70–90 %

High and constant humidity. Provide regular misting, moist substrate and a thick leaf litter. Humidity that is too low promotes dehydration and respiratory ailments.

Substrate

Topsoil / garden soil without fertiliserCoco fibreCypress bark or mulchSphagnum mossDead-leaf litter

Deep (20-30 cm) and permanently moist substrate, covered with a thick leaf litter: essential to the natural mound-nesting behaviour and to maintaining humidity. Avoid any dry or dusty substrate (arid sand, hay).

UVB

Recommended

UVB required but moderate: an understorey species that seeks shade. A 5-6% UVB tube (T5) above part of the space, or exposure to real sunlight in a planted outdoor enclosure, always ensuring abundant shaded areas.

Water source

Always available

A large shallow water container allowing the animal to drink and bathe (it must be able to partially immerse itself); the species enjoys long soaks. Clean water renewed daily. Regular misting to support humidity.

Origin

Testudinidae

South and Southeast Asia: north-eastern India (Assam), Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Humid, shaded lowland and mountain forests (mesic environment, never arid).

Feeding & health

Diet

Omnivore with a strong herbivorous dominance — Mushrooms, invertebrates (slugs, worms), occasionally amphibians or carrion

Based on leafy, fibrous plants (grasses, leaves, flowers, seasonal plants), mushrooms, young shoots (bamboo) and ferns. Fruit in small amounts. Lower fibre needs and higher moisture needs than tortoises from arid environments. Animal protein only rarely and occasionally. Suitable calcium/vitamin supplements.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 20–50 eggs/young. Behaviour unique among tortoises: the female uses her legs to pile up a large mound of litter and plant matter, lays her eggs in it, then actively guards the nest for several days. Large clutches (20-50 eggs). Incubation of about 60-100 days depending on temperature (approx. 26-29 °C).

Health watch points

Respiratory infections (promoted by unsuitable temperatures or humidity)
Massive parasite load in wild-caught specimens (nematodes, protozoa, ticks)
Import stress: anorexia, dehydration, immunosuppression
Dysecdysis, abscesses and skin or shell infections
Heatstroke / hyperthermia when exposed to excessively high temperatures (>32 °C)

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 3 documented genes for Asian forest tortoise.

Melanistic (Phayrei) black phaseDom
Hypomelanistic / GoldenDom
Albino (T-)Rec

Pairing calculator

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

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Asian forest tortoise × Asian forest 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 asian forest tortoise.

How big does an adult Asian forest tortoise get?▾

An adult Asian forest tortoise typically measures 40–60 cm (m. e. emys (southern brown form): ~40-50 cm for ~15-20 kg. m. e. phayrei (northern black form): 50-60 cm for 25-35 kg, the largest tortoise in mainland asia. length = straight carapace length.).

What temperature and humidity does a Asian forest tortoise need?▾

A gradient of roughly 22–25 °C on the cool side to 27–30 °C on the warm side. Humidity 70–90 %.

What does a Asian forest tortoise eat?▾

Omnivore with a strong herbivorous dominance: Mushrooms, invertebrates (slugs, worms), occasionally amphibians or carrion.

Is the Asian forest tortoise a good reptile for beginners?▾

Advanced level. Intelligent and regarded as primitive, and very vocal (grunts, hisses). Can be territorial, especially between males. Listed on CITES Appendix II and Critically Endangered by the IUCN: many individuals are wild-caught, fragile, parasitised and sensitive to stress. Plan ahead: a lifespan of 50–80 yrs.

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