Dwarf marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata weissingeri)

Short answers

Dwarf marginated tortoise: How big does the enclosure need to be?

An outdoor enclosure from 8 m² plus a cold frame.

Dwarf marginated tortoise: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–32 °C, basking spot 40 °C, at night 13–18 °C.

Dwarf marginated tortoise: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %).

Dwarf marginated tortoise: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 60–100 years.

Dwarf marginated tortoise: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–32 °C

Night temperature

13–18 °C

Basking spot

40 °C

Humidity

35–50 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

an outdoor enclosure from 8 m² plus a cold frame

Substrate

Sand-loam, wild herbs growing, stone slabs, a hide

Feeding

Food

Wild herbs, grasses, hay – purely plant-based

Feeding interval

plant food daily

Key facts

Adult size

15–20 cm carapace length

Life expectancy

60–100 years

Origin

The south-western Peloponnese (Greece)

Protection status

CITES II / EU Annex A – sale only with a valid EU commercial-use certificate

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 4–8 °C

Cohabitation

Keeping it singly is the least stressful option – tortoises do not need company. A harem of one male with at least two, preferably three females is possible in a large outdoor enclosure divided up with visual barriers; the drawback: after hibernation males harass the females heavily, and under constant courtship a female visibly loses weight, so plan a way to separate the male temporarily. Never keep two males together.

Notes

A dwarf form of the marginated tortoise from a very small, dry and hot range. It stays markedly smaller than the nominate form. Its status as a subspecies of its own is disputed – have the origin documented.

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Related species

• Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) – Intermediate to expert
• Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata) – Beginner to intermediate
• Hermann's tortoise – Dalmatian (Testudo hermanni hercegovinensis) – Beginner
• Hermann's tortoise – eastern (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) – Beginner
• Hermann's tortoise – western (Testudo hermanni hermanni) – Beginner to intermediate
• Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni) – Beginner
• Spur-thighed tortoise – Armenian (Testudo graeca armeniaca) – Intermediate
• Spur-thighed tortoise – Golan (Testudo graeca terrestris) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Dwarf marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata weissingeri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (an outdoor enclosure from 8 m² plus a cold frame), substrate (Sand-loam, wild herbs growing, stone slabs, a hide), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.