Nutrition and husbandry conditions of Palearctic tortoises (Testudo spp.) in captivity.
Mediterranean and Russian tortoises (Testudo spp.) are popular companion animals (pets), despite ongoing controversy concerning privately keeping reptiles. The arguments used during these controversial discussions have often been based on outdated facts. Therefore, a survey was developed to evaluate the current population structure, husbandry conditions, diet regime, and health status of Testudo species in captivity. More than 75% of the 1075 respondents housed their tortoises in an outdoor enclosure containing a greenhouse or cold frame, which is considered the most species-appropriate way of husbandry. Of the respondents, 67.7% fed their tortoises with the optimum diet of more than 80% grasses and weeds during the summer vegetation period. Only 8.2% of respondents owned a tortoise with a diagnosed disease. According to the results, the likelihood of tortoises developing pyramidal growth syndrome, which can be used as an indicator of the quality of tortoise husbandry, was high in tortoises kept in a terrarium and/or fed a diet of less than 80% grasses and weeds in summer. This likelihood varied among species, with a higher incidence in Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni).
['Bauer|Thomas|T|', 'Reese|Sven|S|', 'Koelle|Petra|P|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000822:Animal Husbandry D060105:Animal Shells D000827:Animal Welfare D000818:Animals D004032:Diet D005260:Female D005858:Germany D006304:Health Status D006799:Housing, Animal D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D057805:Pets D012621:Seasons D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D014426:Turtles
keeping diet pyramidal growth syndrome Chelonian European tortoises