Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata)

Short answers

Marginated tortoise: How big does the enclosure need to be?

An outdoor enclosure, at least ~10 m² for adults with a heated cold frame or shelter.

Marginated tortoise: What temperature does it need?

Daytime outdoors; cold frame 25–30 °C, basking spot Basking spot / cold frame 35–40 °C, at night night-time drop to ~15–18 °C.

Marginated tortoise: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (sunlight; UVB when kept indoors).

Marginated tortoise: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 60–100+ years.

Marginated tortoise: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner to intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

outdoors; cold frame 25–30 °C

Night temperature

night-time drop to ~15–18 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot / cold frame 35–40 °C

Humidity

Moderate, Mediterranean (dry plus more humid zones)

UVB

Essential (sunlight; UVB when kept indoors)

Enclosure

Minimum size

an outdoor enclosure, at least ~10 m² for adults with a heated cold frame or shelter

Substrate

Soil and sand with wild herbs, a calcium source

Feeding

Food

Fibre-rich wild herbs (no fruit or protein)

Feeding interval

A daily selection of plant food

Key facts

Adult size

The largest European tortoise, up to ~35–40 cm and ~4.5 kg

Life expectancy

60–100+ years

Origin

Southern and central Greece, the Aegean islands, southern Albania

Protection status

EU A (CITES II), strictly protected, registration plus an EU certificate required

Brumation

Brumation (compulsory), ~10–14 weeks at 4–8 °C

Cohabitation

Group with a surplus of females. Males are territorial and harass each other as well as the females — two males do not belong together long-term. With several animals the enclosure must be noticeably larger and offer visual cover.

Notes

The largest European tortoise — it needs a large garden enclosure secured against predators from above, with a cold frame and a winter dormancy.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni) – Intermediate to expert
• 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
• Spur-thighed tortoise – Iberian (Testudo graeca graeca) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (an outdoor enclosure, at least ~10 m² for adults with a heated cold frame or shelter), substrate (Soil and sand with wild herbs, a calcium source), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.