Tortoises are popular pets that can live for decades and have complex husbandry needs often misunderstood by keepers. Providing appropriately for these long-lived animals is an ethical responsibility.
Tortoise welfare challenges stem partly from the species' extreme longevity and the welfare implications of lifelong captivity. Metabolic bone disease, shell pyramiding, respiratory infections, and inadequate thermoregulation are common welfare problems in poorly managed captive tortoises. The gap between what tortoises need and what most enclosures provide is substantial: many pet tortoises live in vivariums designed for reptiles with very different physiological and behavioral requirements. Outdoor keeping with appropriate climate and weather management, when the tortoise species suits the local climate, is often preferable to indoor year-round housing. The responsibility of keeping an animal that may outlive its keeper deserves explicit consideration before acquisition.