Egyptian Tortoise — Fact Sheet
Testudo kleinmanni · Egyptian Tortoise
📋 At a glance
| Adult size | 10-13 cm |
| Lifespan | 30-70 years |
| Subspecies | Older material may separate Negev/Israeli animals; verify current paperwork and locality data. |
| Origin | Arid Mediterranean and desert-edge habitats in Egypt, Libya, and Israel/Negev records. |
| Activity | Diurnal |
| Difficulty | Expert |
| Legal status | CITES: Appendix I; EU: Annex A; local rules still apply |
🏠 Housing
- Use a broad open-topped tortoise table or secure dry-season pen with firm sandy loam or soil-sand substrate. Avoid dusty pure sand, bark chips, slick floors, and loose bedding that stays cold and wet. Provide several low hides at different temperatures.
🌡️ Temperature
- Basking spot: 32-35°C
- Warm zone: 24-30°C
- Cool zone: 20-24°C
- Night: 18-22°C
🥬 Feeding
- Feed varied weeds, flowers, grasses, and fibrous leafy greens. Avoid fruit, dog food, high-protein diets, and pellets as staples. Small portions matter; monitor weight, shell growth, and hydration.
🩺 Common problems
- Main risks are overheating, damp stagnant air, respiratory disease, dehydration, weak UVB, rich grocery diets, pyramiding from poor growth management, and illegal or wild-caught origin.