Tortoises are long-lived reptiles with complex environmental and nutritional requirements that are frequently misunderstood, leading to preventable health problems and shortened lifespans in captivity.
Tortoises present unique welfare challenges because their slow physiology and long lifespan means that husbandry errors have consequences that unfold over years or decades. A tortoise on an inappropriate diet may appear healthy for years before metabolic bone disease becomes apparent. Poor hibernation management can cause death during dormancy. The extraordinary longevity of tortoises means that an owner makes a genuine lifetime commitment to an animal that may outlive them. Despite this, many tortoises are kept in inadequate conditions by owners unaware of their complex needs. Connecting tortoise owners with species-specific welfare information is essential to improving outcomes for these remarkable animals.