In this very extensive online library, we present a selection of reference articles from our Newsletter, and a number of additional articles specifically produced for this website. We hope this information will provide both enjoyable reading and will help you better understand your tortoise or turtle's needs. Feel free to link to these pages from your own site. New articles are added regularly, so check back from time to time for updates. These articles are grouped together by subject to make browsing easier. Do not forget to check our CARESHEET section as well, which now includes printable versions of basic information on many species, and a variety of posters, notices and other resources in downloadable PDF format. Please note that where veterinary treatmens and/or drug dosages are discussed these are for general educational purposes only. If you have a sick tortoise, consult a qualified veterinarian. We make this information available because in our opinion, the better informed keepers are, the better they are able to recognise serious illnesses and the better able they are to evaluate veterinary treatments which may be suggested.
Information on individual species, housing, lighting, heating, safety, buying tortoises, ponds and filters for aquatic species, substrates and diet., etc., subdivided into several sections for ease of reference.
Information on egg incubation, housing and rearing hatchlings, etc.
Exploitation around the world - and some efforts to help.
The classification of tortoise and turtle species, and field reports, etc.
Comprehensive set of articles covering most common (and some uncommon) health issues that every keeper should be familiar with. Also includes Veterinary Contact Index.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Essential information everyone should know.
Diet & Feeding
A series of in-depth articles on nutritional management and feeding in captivity. You wil find a lot of information here on how to avoid nutritional problems for a wide variety of species and the correct use of vitamin and mineral supplements, etc.
Feeding Tortoises: Avoiding Dietary Disasters
Suggested wild foods for herbivorous tortoises
Toxicity of some common houseplants
Promoting Proper Bone Development - Choosing and Using Calcium Supplements
Plant toxins and herbivores - an outline of the biology
Mediterranean Tortoises: How much to feed?
Feeding Mediterranean Tortoises - Basic Guidelines
Feeding Redfoot and Yellowfoot Tortoises
High growth rate diets and vitamin D3 - a response
Tortoises: Do They Need To Drink ?
All about vitamins, minerals and Tortoises
Fussy feeders - What to do if you have a tortoise who demonstrates 'addictive' dietary patterns.
Habitats and Housing
This section contains vital information and advice on lighting, heating, humidity control and various ideas for pens, vivariums and both indoor and outdoor housing methods for a wide range of species.
Building a Tortoise Table Habitat
Designing High quality outdoor habitats 
Why you should never mix species
Hemp bedding and substrates - Danger!
Indoor Housing & Vivarium Design for Tortoises
How to Measure Temperatures Accurately
Redfoot Tortoise Outdoor Husbandry In Europe
Indoor housing ideas for a baby Redfoot tortoise 
Understanding Vivarium Substrates
Understanding Reptile Lighting systems.
Understanding reptile heating systems
A Habitat for Horsfields - Includes good info on vivarium design for other species too. Read before buying a 'fish-tank' vivarium for a tortoise!
A Filter Design for Box Turtles
Practical notes on creating humid tropical vivaria for tortoises and turtles.
Avoiding problems with Box Turtles
The Maintenance and Breeding of Tortoises and Turtles in Cold Climates
Aquatic Turtle Maintenance
This section contains all the information you need to provide aquatic turtles and terrapins with the correct environment and diet. From basic care to advanced husbandry concepts, you should find what you are looking for in these articles.
Creating Natural Habitats for Aquatic Turtles
Quick and Simple Emergency Housing for Turtles
Surface-Mount Ponds for Slider and Other Aquatic Turtles
Help! I've FOUND a turtle! What do do if you find a 'stray'
Sternotherus oderatus: The Common Musk Turtle
Eye Problems in Aquatic Turtles
Nest Sites for Aquatic Turtles - Prevention of Dystocia
The Myth of the Red-eared slider Threat
Hibernation
The topic of hibernation often causes a lot of concern. In this section, we have gathered together some of the best articles on the subject from the past 20 years of the Tortoise Trust Newsletter!
The Correct Way to Measure Tortoises (Jackson Ratio)
Warm Autumn = Hibernation Problems?
Safer Hibernation & Your Tortoise - Comprehensive guide
Post-hibernation problems in Mediterranean tortoises
Refrigerator Hibernation for Tortoises & Turtles
Preparing for hibernation: fasting period
Hibernating Juvenile Tortoises
Refrigerator Hibernation Data with graphs
Waking up from Hibernation - Essential Info!
Autumn/fall feeding behaviour - UK & N. Europe
18 Essential Hibernation Hints
Species-specifc and Miscellaneous articles
Some articles covering the care of individual species, and a range of other articles on safety, general care and maintenance that do not fall within any of our other main categories.
Practical Care of the Russian Tortoise
Help! I've lost my tortoise! Tips to locate missing animals
Basic Care of Mediterranean Tortoises
Keeping & Breeding Tortoises in Captivity Exclusive! Full text of species profiles from Keeping & Breeding Tortoises in Captivity (1990). Includes: Testudo graeca, Testudo hermanni, Testudo ibera, Testudo marginata (Mediterranean tortoises), Geochelone carbonaria, Geochelone denticulata (Redfoot & Yellowfoot tortoises), Malocochersus tornieri (Pancake tortoises), Terrapene carolina (Box turtles) and others, with identification, incubation, environmental and feeding guidelines.
Disaster Planning for pets - be ready if danger strikes
Care and Maintenance of the Leopard Tortoise
Sternotherus oderatus: The Common Musk Turtle
About the Tortoise Trust Education Program
Tortoises as pets: legal issues & where to obtain
Care and Maintenance of common South African tortoises; A Brief Summary
7 Simple Rules for Successfull Tortoisekeeping.
Should I give my Tortoise a Bath?
Tunisian tortoise Identification and Care
Practical care & breeding of the Horsfield's or Russian tortoise in captivity.
Companions for existing tortoises
Nest Sites for Terrestrial and Semi-Terrestrial Chelonia
Breeding the Burmese Star (G. platynota)
Keeping & Breeding the Pancake Tortoise
Nest Sites for Aquatic Turtles - Prevention of Dystocia (Egg-binding) by Environmental Management
Incubating Redfoot Tortoise Eggs
An easy and effective method of accommodation for hatchling tortoises
An incubator with variable daily cycle
Breeding Emys orbicularis (the European Pond Turtle)
Kinixys erosa (Schweigger 1812) - A Captive breeding experience.
Egg FAQ - Common questions about eggs and incubation
Captive breeding of the Egyptian tortoise Testudo kleinmanni.
An effective method of artificial incubation for mediterranean tortoise eggs.
The Asian Turtle Crisis (Hosted by NYTTS)
Turtles in Crisis: The Asian Food Markets
Status of the Egyptian Tortoise, Testudo kleinmanni, in Egypt.
The trade in tortoise-derived souvenir products in Morocco.
Folklore, myth and exploitation of reptiles in Morocco and Tunisia
The Mystery of 'The Golden Greeks'
Habitat Gallery 1: Testudo (graeca) ibera, Turkey
Testudo kleinmanni in Libya - Field Report
Glossary of Chelonian TerminologyTestudo horsfieldi (GRAY 1844) A brief review of its Biology, Ecology and Captive Breeding
A Walk on the Wild Side with Testudo hermanni
Notes on the Systematics and Ecology of Testudo hermanni GMELIN 1789
The status and nomenclature of Testudo (graeca) terrestris FORSKAL 1775: with additional notes on some little known land tortoises of Israel including Testudo floweri BODENHEIMER 1935
An Outline of Florida's Fascinating Turtles
The Spiny-Tailed Lizard at home.
An introduction to the Mauremys turtles of the Mediterranean
A revision of the Testudines of North Africa, Asia and Europe - Genus: Testudo.
In search of little-known tortoises in southern Turkey.
Field Research: Homopus signatus signatus
New light on an old tortoise - Gilbert White's Selborne tortoise re-discovered.
New record size for north african Testudo.
This section includes data on treatments and medications which should be used under qualified veterinary supervision only. If you have a sick tortoise or turtle please seek qualified professional advice using the link below.
Veterinary Contact Links - Find a Vet for your tortoise/turtle
Emergency Treatment of a Prolapse in a Juvenile Tortoise
Albendazole & Ivermectin - A warning!
The Tortoise Trust Hospital: A brief history
Recognising Veterinary Emergencies
An outline on treating 'RNS' or respiratory diseases in chelonians
Eye Problems in Aquatic Turtles
Herpes Virus Infection Associated with Lymphoma in Testudo hermanni
Tortoise Epidemic – Quarantine and Barrier nursing Techniques
Shell injuries - Practical guidelines for vets.
Worming difficult to handle tortoises and turtles.
The Jackson Ratio Graph - Inappropriate Use
Observations on Dehydration in Reptiles
Understanding common worms and protozoa.
One Tortoise Trust members' experience of a viral epidemic
Protozoan infections in Chelonians.
Balantidium and Nyctotherus in Testudo species 