There are numerous misconceptions about keeping turtles in the garden that make life difficult for some animals. Important questions about the ideal conditions for a happy turtle life in the wild will receive a precise answer here.
Which turtles are suitable for keeping in the garden?
Mediterranean tortoise species, such as the Greek tortoise (Testudo hermanni), broad-bordered tortoise (Testudo marginata), Moorish tortoise (Testudo graeca) and four-toed tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii), are ideal for keeping in the garden. They need a varied terrain and species-appropriate conditions such as a shelter, heat lamps and food plants.
Which types of turtles feel comfortable in the garden?
Among the more than 300 species of turtles, it is primarily Mediterranean tortoises that are suitable for keeping in the garden. In contrast, tropical species rely on life under the controlled conditions of the terrarium. The following species are shortlisted for free-range keeping:
- Greek tortoise (Testudo hermanni)
- Broad-margined turtle (Testudo marginata)
- Moorish tortoise (Testudo graeca)
- Four-toed turtle (Testudo horsfieldii)
Please make a clear decision between keeping it in the garden or in the terrarium. Even robust turtles cannot tolerate repeated changes of location between indoors and outdoors in the long term.
What does a turtle need to live a species-appropriate life?
Regardless of their leisurely movement, turtles require a large territory. Plan an area of at least 10 square meters for one animal. For each additional copy, 5 square meters are added. A varied terrain with areas of sand, gravel, stone and grass as well as boulders to provide shade is ideal. Your turtle flock also wants these components:
- A shelter with lighting and heat lamps
- Up to the age of 3 years with 2 square meters, later larger area
- Garden soil without pesticides or chemical fertilizers
- Small conifers to protect against strong sun or pelting rain
- Forage plants in various places, such as dandelions, clover, dead nettle or ribwort plantain
When setting up the garden as an outdoor enclosure, please remember that turtles are cold-blooded creatures. They do not have their own core body temperature. To warm themselves up to an ideal 35 degrees Celsius, they rely on the sun or artificial heat sources.
Tip
Types of turtles that are kept in the garden hibernate. For this purpose they need winter quarters. A wooden box (€4.00 on Amazon) filled with a base made of coconut fibers and humus garden soil is well suited. After a preparation phase of about 4 weeks, the turtle stops eating, is placed on the substrate and covered with leaves. Until spring it stays at temperatures of 10 degrees during the day and 6 degrees at night.
