The testudo species are inhabitants of plains, deserts and woodland edges from southern europe to pakistan and morocco to israel.

They are adapted to cold winters, hot summers and long periods between rains.

Testudo Species are one of the easiest tortoise families to keep in captivity.

The tortoise gets about 3,000 hours of sunlight per year in nature.

The tortoise is a living fossil having survived since the dawn of the age of reptiles, over 200 million years ago.

The tortoises top and lower part of the shell are called the Carapace and Plastron.

Their insides and body is protected by boney armoured plates called Scutes.

Their back bone is fused to the carapace middle row of scutes.

They need light and heat to get motivated.

A tortoise will benifit from a 8 week hibernation.