Chelonia (Tortoises and Terrapins)
Tortoises and Terrapins in Manchester
Hermans Tortoise
Origin: Mediteranean
Size: 12 inches diameter
Food: Vegetables with occasional fruit. No iceberg lettuce, banana or citrus fruits.
Lifespan: 60 Years
Description: The Hermans tortoise is the pet tortoise that most people know, however the care is a little different than a lot of people think. They are a mediteranean animal so require a higher temperature and a lot more sun than we can provide here in the UK. This is why they must be kept in a suitable enclosure indoors, with the correct heating and a good quality, reptile uv light.
They can be let out for a run in the garden in hot weather, but keep an eye on them, they are quicker and can dig better than you think.
Yellow Belly Terrapin
Origin: North America
Size: 8-9 inches diameter
Temperature: 75-80F
Food: Terrapins are primarily meat eaters. While young they eat bloodworm and commerically available turtle foods. As they get older they will also eat earthworms, frozen(defrosted) fish and prawns. They also appreciate the occasional aquatic plant.
Lifespan: 20-30 Years
Description: Yellow Belly Terrapins are semi-aquatic reptiles, requiring both land and water areas in their tank. They are a tropical animal so require heated water (easily achieved with an aquarium heater), a good quality filter (their meat diet makes their tank dirty quickly without one) and a reptile UV light (to ensure they stay healthy and their shells stay hard).