
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
Tortoise Husbandry and Welfare
About this book
Keeping captive tortoises healthy and well is a significant challenge. Because they are ectotherms, these reptiles are totally dependent upon external sources to maintain body temperature and therefore metabolic function. Their physical environment is vital for them to remain healthy, and as owners, we have to provide sufficient choice in the environment for them to be able to experience as near optimum conditions as we can.Covering all aspects of tortoise husbandry and welfare, this book advises on: - Suitable temperature ranges, light sources, humidity, substrate, space, and seasonal changes according to individual tortoise species;- Specific dietary requirements, and opportunities for expression of natural behaviours including reproduction.- Variety of environments, ranging across indoor and outdoor accommodation options, to achieve optimum conditions for tortoises in captivityWritten by a leading clinical animal behaviourist, this book is an important read for anyone involved in tortoise welfare, from students and zoo rescue staff, to pet owners and the veterinarians advising them.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover Page
- Half title page
- Title page
- Copyright
- Contents
- Introduction
- Biography
- Acknowledgements and Thanks
- 1 What Is a Tortoise?
- 2 How Tortoise Biology Affects Health and Behaviour
- 3 The Captive Environment
- 4 Artificial Lighting and Heat Sources
- 5 Tortoise Diets
- 6 Health Checks – Indicators of Good Health
- 7 Common Illnesses and Diseases in Tortoises
- 8 Tortoise Behaviour and Learning
- 9 Emotional States in Tortoises
- 10  Social Interactions in Tortoises
- 11 Breeding Tortoises
- 12 Tortoise Hibernation/Brumation
- 13 Mediterranean Tortoises
- 14 Tropical Dry Grassland Tortoises
- 15 Tropical Tortoises from Humid Forest Areas
- 16 Horsfield’s (Afghan or Steppe) Tortoises
- 17 Egyptian Tortoises
- 18 What It Takes to Be a Tortoise Keeper
- 19 Health and Safety for the Tortoise Keeper and Tortoise
- 20 Tortoise Keeping – Past, Present, Future
- Appendix 1: Example Tortoise Health Record
- Appendix 2: Example Monthly Record Keeping of Tortoise Health
- Appendix 3: Suitable Food Plants
- List of Species
- Index