Specific needs
- Suitable temperatures and UVB lighting
- A species-specific diet
- Enough space (a vivarium or a secure outdoor area)
Feeding
- A suitable diet (strictly herbivorous for many land tortoises)
- Adequate calcium; avoid excess protein
- For aquatic turtles, it depends on the species
Habitat & environment
- A warm zone and a basking spot; UVB is essential
- Suitable humidity
- Carefully managed hibernation for some species
Prevention
- Correct environmental parameters (the number-one cause of illness)
- Keep an eye on the shell, eyes and appetite
- A veterinary opinion before any hibernation
Vaccination
There is no vaccination for tortoises and turtles. Prevention rests essentially on a correct environment (heat/UVB) and a correct diet.
Warning signs — see a vet if you notice:
- Swollen or closed eyes, discharge
- A soft or deformed shell
- Apathy, refusing to eat
When to see a vet?
- See the vet in case of closed eyes, an abnormal shell or loss of appetite
- Ask for advice before hibernation
At the AuFuret practice
- Exotic pet and reptile medicine
- Imaging and laboratory
- Husbandry and environment advice
Dr Danielle Frei Perrin regularly appears as a veterinary expert on Swiss public broadcasting (RTS) and in leading French-speaking Swiss media.
