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I would like to learn how to care for Egyptians from those who own And have success with this tortoise. Thanks
Care of Egytian torts
- Thread starter MasterOogway
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I was actually wondering the same thing. I've looked through the Egyptian section and never really found a comprehensive caresheet. I know there are some people who keep them and breed them, so hopefully one will be along soon.
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I don't mean to be rude, but google seems to bring up some good hits. Again, if I sound rude/insolent, I apologize.
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Rutagonzo said:
No you don't sound rude that is good advice. The confusing part is knowing what is good or outdated info. I couldn't find books either so hoping someone can give insight. I will continue searching too.
Spn785 said:
I did the same little bits here and there of information but not enough to understand the care requirement. I would love to hear those who have them successfully.
Egyptians are in the critically endangered list, I think. Egyptiandan might be a good source of information. I think he moderates the UK forum. I sure loved reading his responses here. He is a Tortoise God in his wealth of knowledge.
I read that they are very delicate. Beautiful little things, they are It would be awesome to have more in captive breeding.
I read that they are very delicate. Beautiful little things, they are It would be awesome to have more in captive breeding.
In this photo I used solid oyster shells on top of the soil. I found the decomposed granite to work a little better if it was mixed with oyster shells, rather than use all shells.
Best results I have had with them.
Substrate earth(top soil) 1/2 portion, then the other half 1/2 decomposed granite or oyster shells to layer the top of the soil.
Kept males separate from females(they got aggressive and would bite off scales on females legs)
Kept the cool side 80 and warm side 100+ in a 6x4 enclosure
They would never drink water that I saw but still offered it. Misted the cage in the morning and evening.
Provided lots of hides and succulents for them to feed off of. I also placed a 18"x24" planter tray with grasses for them to eat on as well.
I used 2 10.0 4' bulbs on 11 hour regimes.
They can stress relatively easy if conditions aren't superb. However these are what I used for WC adults. I have never kept captive bred so they may be a little less feisty.
I do not have mine anymore but this worked great and produced happy egg laying females.
Also in the winter months I would put a humidifier in the room to mimic seasonal humidity fluctuation the mediterranean gets. I also kept the humidity around 40-60% in the summer time.
That is about it. NEVER EVER keep them with other testudo, or chelonians. These guys are susceptible for bacterial infections, and upper respiratory, and dry rot. Its always best to keep these guys(an any tortoises species for that matter really) enclosure very clean, up keep daily, and washed food, and clean sterile safe habitat.
Yeah that is about it in my experiences with them. They are awesome very small little guys. Males stay around 5" and females get 6-6 1/2", and they look like German WWII army helmets.
Substrate earth(top soil) 1/2 portion, then the other half 1/2 decomposed granite or oyster shells to layer the top of the soil.
Kept males separate from females(they got aggressive and would bite off scales on females legs)
Kept the cool side 80 and warm side 100+ in a 6x4 enclosure
They would never drink water that I saw but still offered it. Misted the cage in the morning and evening.
Provided lots of hides and succulents for them to feed off of. I also placed a 18"x24" planter tray with grasses for them to eat on as well.
I used 2 10.0 4' bulbs on 11 hour regimes.
They can stress relatively easy if conditions aren't superb. However these are what I used for WC adults. I have never kept captive bred so they may be a little less feisty.
I do not have mine anymore but this worked great and produced happy egg laying females.
Also in the winter months I would put a humidifier in the room to mimic seasonal humidity fluctuation the mediterranean gets. I also kept the humidity around 40-60% in the summer time.
That is about it. NEVER EVER keep them with other testudo, or chelonians. These guys are susceptible for bacterial infections, and upper respiratory, and dry rot. Its always best to keep these guys(an any tortoises species for that matter really) enclosure very clean, up keep daily, and washed food, and clean sterile safe habitat.
Yeah that is about it in my experiences with them. They are awesome very small little guys. Males stay around 5" and females get 6-6 1/2", and they look like German WWII army helmets.
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Thanks so much! You have been a big help. Lol I never thought of a German helmet.
So beautiful. That is awesome information. Except for the part that you do not have them anymore. Sigh.
BeeBee*BeeLeaves said:
Agreed. Its a very long complicated story. Was not by choice either. I will get some more this summer. A good breeder lives 10 minutes North of me.
That is happy news. C'mon summer! Yay! : )
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My adults, juveniles and babies all drink water and I keep a shallow dish of clean water available at all times. They freely drink from it. In the past I didn't put a water dish in with small babies for fear of drowning instead soaking the babies on a regular basis. 
Also I've never had serious aggression issues either between male/male or male/female groupings.
Yes during active breeding season males ram and butt and bite each other but I believe it is important to getting the males "revved up".
I've never had a serious injury from this breeding season activity.
Also I've never had serious aggression issues either between male/male or male/female groupings.
Yes during active breeding season males ram and butt and bite each other but I believe it is important to getting the males "revved up".
I've never had a serious injury from this breeding season activity.
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billskleins said:
They are beautiful! Is that oyster shells you use for the substrate too?
tortadise said:
Looking forward to seeing your future Egyptian torts.
billskleins said:
I wish I was that lucky with the 2 males I had. I named them Qhadafi and Suddam. They were very aggressive, and very fertile at that
. Then again I have seen some very aggressive leos, and not so aggressive as well. Those are some good looking kleinmanni. Did you produce those?
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Yes these are 3 of my 2013 babies.
I only have captive born stock and have found them relatively easy to care for.
Maybe I've just been lucky.
I only have captive born stock and have found them relatively easy to care for.
Maybe I've just been lucky.
They are lovely. Congrats on them being born.
I wonder if being captive bred makes them less temperamental, so to speak?
I wonder if being captive bred makes them less temperamental, so to speak?
Once I get a breeding group of Russians going, about 6 or so years since I'm raising my first tortoise from a baby, I plan to get a breeding group of Egyptian tortoises going.
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My little Egyptian don't prefer to stay in his box (45cm x 60cm). Is it because the size is too small, or I probably don't place much site for it to hide?
I basically release my tortoise running free in my room.
I basically release my tortoise running free in my room.
I know little about Egyptian tortoises, but that is far too small for any tortoise, even a baby in my opinion. Try and get something bigger if you can.
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Spn785 said:
I will provide a picture tomorrow
I don't think its too small though, but every opinion really matter for me
I'd say the smallest enclosure that is okay for a tortoise is 120cm x 60cm (4ft x 2ft). Honestly I would say that is only okay for a baby, but others say that is okay for an adult.
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