Testudo horsfieldii

An open tortoise table or a large, well-ventilated indoor terrarium; a secure outdoor pen is strongly recommended in fine weather.

A minimum for a single adult; bigger is always better, especially the floor space. Smooth, sufficiently high walls (a climber) and a buried barrier of at least 20-30 cm (a burrower). Avoid closed, humid, poorly ventilated vivariums. The ideal remains a sunny, dry outdoor pen, safe from predators.

An overall dry environment (arid steppe). Avoid stagnant humidity, a factor in respiratory infections and shell rot. Nonetheless provide a slightly humid hide (microclimate) and regular baths, especially for juveniles, to limit dehydration and pyramiding.

A dry, loose and deep substrate (at least 10-15 cm) to allow the natural digging behaviour. Ban resinous shavings (cedar, pine), dusty substrates and any material that retains moisture. Remove droppings and food remains regularly.

Essential. Provide strong desert-type UVB (T5 HO tube 10-12 % / UV index 5.0-6.0) covering the living area, or exposure to real sunlight outdoors. Replace tubes/lamps according to the manufacturer's recommendations (UV output drops before the visible end of life). A lack of UVB rapidly leads to osteofibrosis (MBD).

Provide at all times a shallow, easily accessible dish of clean water (to drink and to soak without risk of drowning). Offer regular lukewarm baths (10-20 min), 1 to 2 times/week for adults and more frequently for juveniles, for hydration and gut transit.

Central Asia: arid and semi-desert steppes of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and north-western China.

Strict herbivore — No animal prey

A fibre-rich, protein-poor diet: grasses, graminoids, wild 'weed' plants (dandelion, plantain, clover in moderation, mallow, occasional alfalfa), edible flowers and a few succulents. Ban fruit (exceptional at best), animal proteins, dog/cat kibble and excess water-rich cultivated leafy vegetables. Supplement with calcium (cuttlebone ad libitum) and provide suitable UVB exposure. A diet that is too rich/moist promotes pyramiding and stones.

Clutch 2–6 eggs/young. Small clutches of 2 to 6 eggs that are relatively large compared with the female's size, often in several clutches per season. Breeding is generally triggered by a winter cooling cycle (hibernation) followed by rising temperatures. Artificial incubation of about 60 to 90 days depending on temperature; sex influenced by the incubation temperature.

• Respiratory infections (rhinitis/pneumonia) linked to cold damp and poor ventilation
• Osteofibrosis / metabolic bone disease (MBD) from UVB or calcium deficiency or a Ca/P imbalance
• Carapace pyramiding (abnormal growth) due to a diet too rich/high in protein and to dehydration
• Internal parasitism (nematodes, pinworms) very common in imported wild-caught animals
• Chronic bladder stones and dehydration from lack of water and an unsuitable diet