Central Asian turtle. Central Asian tortoise

Often called the steppe, it is a popular pet these days. IN English speaking countries it is more often called Russian tortoise. The small size of the turtle allows it to be kept even in an apartment.

Habitat

The Central Asian land turtle is named after the famous US biologist Thomas Horsfield. Its habitat covers Central Asia, the steppes from China to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. These turtles prefer sandy soil, although they are often found on loam. They most often settle in rocky or hilly areas where there is access to water and grass grows in abundance.

These small creatures live in burrows that they dig on their own, but there are times when they inhabit other people’s homes. They live in arid areas, but choose places with as much humidity as possible so they can dig burrows. If the soil is very hard and dry, the Central Asian land tortoise cannot dig and is left without shelter. Listed as an endangered species in the Red Book due to uncontrolled fishing.

Description

The sizes of Central Asian turtles are small. They do not grow more than 25 cm. Males are noticeably smaller than females (13-20 cm). At home, they do not grow more than 18 cm. A female that has reached 16 cm is capable of bearing eggs. A strong, well-developed shell that covers the entire body is not only an excellent protection against predators, but also reliably protects from overheating under the hot rays of the sun, and in cold times protects against hypothermia.

The carapace is convex. It reaches its maximum size in very old turtles. The horny scutes are decorated with a complex pattern, which consists of darker rings along the outer edge irregular shape. Usually the upper part of the shell (carapace) is olive-brown with dark spots or greenish. The legs and head are brownish-yellow. The only turtles in the genus Testudo that have four rather than three toes.

The life expectancy of this animal in natural conditions is more than forty years. By creating comfortable conditions for the turtle in captivity (high-quality food, lack of stress), you can extend this period.

Determining age

The dorsal shield of the Central Asian turtle is divided into thirteen horny scutes, and the ventral plastron is divided into sixteen. On the side of the carpax there are another twenty-five small scutes, and grooves are noticeable on the central plates. By their number, you can determine the approximate age of the turtle.

Central Asian tortoise: maintenance and care in a summer enclosure

Despite their small sizes, these turtles exhibit activity uncharacteristic for sedate animals. Your pet will be happy if you give him space and the opportunity to dig. They tolerate significant temperature changes well, so they can be outside almost all summer. If there is such an opportunity, then in the warm season, move your pet to an enclosure at the dacha or in the garden.

Such a house should be spacious, at least 2x2 meters. The fence is deepened into the ground by 30 cm, since turtles can dig through it and escape. The height of the fence is at least 30 cm. Central Asian turtles at home most often dig in corners, so it is advisable to place large stones there - this will disrupt your pet’s escape plan.

The owners of these turtles note that the digging activity of this species increases when the difference between night and day temperatures increases. In this way they are saved from hypothermia. For this reason, many owners prepare a hole in advance for them to hide in at night. There must be a container of water in the enclosure.

Maintenance and care during the cold season

With the onset of autumn, you need to move your pet indoors. Central Asian tortoise, the maintenance and care of which will not give you special problems, feels great in an aquarium, terrarium and even a spacious plastic box. It is important that this house is durable and your pet cannot escape from it.

One animal requires a container measuring at least 60x130 cm. When the home is cramped, turtles begin to dig excessively actively in the corners of the terrarium. This animal needs to be given more space, only in this case the turtle will be healthy, active, and also be observed in large terrarium much more interesting.

Some owners keep the Central Asian tortoise as a regular pet, allowing it to crawl wherever it wants. You shouldn't do this. Firstly, you can simply step on it and accidentally injure it. Secondly, in every house there are drafts, which the Central Asian tortoise is very afraid of. Keeping and caring for this animal involves creating the necessary conditions for digging in the terrarium. We have already said that this process is vital for her.

Which soil should I choose?

To make life a little easier for the turtle, you can make a layer of earth mixed with coconut shavings in the terrarium, which will loosen it. Opinions differ regarding sand (for this purpose). Some believe that it can be used, while other experts consider it unacceptable - a Central Asian turtle at home accidentally swallows it, it kills it internal organs and can lead to the death of the animal.

The soil should be slightly moist and deep enough for the turtle to burrow into. If the animal does not have the opportunity to dig a hole, then you will have to take care of shelter for it. A box, half a pot, etc. is suitable for this. The main thing is that the shelter does not have sharp edges and has sufficient area.

The terrarium must contain flat, large stones. This is not a decorative decoration. They help turtles grind off their claws and at the same time serve as a kind of surface for food, a “table”. This species of turtle loves to climb somewhere, so don’t deny them this pleasure.

Should you bathe your turtle?

There is a misconception that a turtle is able to obtain all the moisture necessary for life from the plants it eats. Yes, under natural conditions they live in a dry climate, so they remove water from the body very sparingly. But this does not mean that they do not drink. Moreover, they enjoy swimming.

Yes, the Central Asian turtle needs a bath in warm water (once a week). Keeping and caring for your pet involves this procedure to maintain water balance.

During this process, which should last about thirty minutes, the turtles drink water and absorb it into their skin. Babies are bathed even more often - up to three times a week.

Turtle hibernation at home

In their natural environment, these reptiles hibernate early, at the very beginning of summer, but before that the females manage to lay eggs. This is due to the fact that a dry period begins and the vegetation on which this type of turtle feeds simply burns out. But this is not the only period of torpor in turtles. Central Asian turtles hibernate for a longer period in winter.

Some owners say that their pet also asks to hibernate: it begins to refuse food, becomes lethargic and apathetic. This is due to the discrepancy between temperature regimes and natural ones. Turtles living in captivity do not require hibernation and may even be harmful to their health.

Lighting and heating

The optimal temperature for keeping this is +25-27°C. In addition, there must be a place heated by a lamp. The temperature here should be +30-33°C. The turtle will move itself to where it is more comfortable.

As you know, in nature they live in hot climates, but when the temperature rises too high or drops sharply, they go into burrows where it is stable. An incandescent lamp is quite suitable for heating, but it must be adjusted in height so that your pet does not get burned. Typically this distance varies from 20 to 30 cm.

Heating is very important for this. Daylight hours, including lightening, should be at least twelve hours. Additionally, you will need a UV lamp for your turtle. In pet stores today you can purchase such special devices for reptiles. They have an enhanced spectrum of UV rays. In nature, they get them naturally. But in captivity, the owner is obliged to compensate for this deficiency.

A UV lamp is vital for a turtle. The thing is that without these rays, animals do not produce vitamin D 3, and the formation of calcium, which is necessary for shell growth, deteriorates.

Feeding

And in conclusion, we will discuss a question that concerns all owners, especially beginners - what to feed the Central Asian tortoise at home? Herbivorous turtles even in captivity need plant food, various grasses: dandelions, coltsfoot, plantain, clover, lettuce. Vegetables and fruits should make up 10% of the diet. You can give bananas, berries, apples.

The basis proper nutrition- plants containing coarse fiber and at the same time quite dry. Today, quite a lot of ready-made food has been developed specifically for land turtles, which are recommended for use for a variety of nutrition. This will help you keep your pet healthy. In addition, the necessary vitamins and calcium are added to the finished feed.

At the same time, there are products that are strictly contraindicated for these animals. This applies to everything that people eat. Owners sometimes give turtles cottage cheese, bread, meat, and fish. You can't do this. In this way you slowly kill your silent terrarium inhabitant. Young turtles are fed once a day, and adults less often - once every three days.

The Central Asian tortoise will not cause any trouble to its owner. The conditions of detention are very simple. In addition, it will never wake you up in the middle of the night or disrupt your usual pace of life. Children and adults have only positive emotions from communicating with her. The turtle will have a lot of fun walking around the apartment, exploring all the rooms, slowly moving its paws and turning its head with an important look. You can watch this process all day.

Central Asian tortoise

Why exactly the Central Asian turtle?

This often happens if parents are not sure that their child will be able to care for more demanding pets, but would like to give them a chance to try themselves as young naturalists.

Turtle and child

Children are very interested in taming a turtle, winning its trust and love. The reptile can recognize family members and choose its favorite among them. He loves affection and allows himself to be petted. Her slow, careful movements are soothing nervous system and give pleasant emotions.

Turtle's relationship with people

You can feed the turtle by hand. She communicates with a person using body movements:

• Asks for food by shaking his head or raising his front paw;
• She scratches with her paws, demanding to be let out for a walk.

Over time, the owner and pet understand each other perfectly without words. An animal can stretch its head when greeting a familiar person, or follow its favorite around the house or apartment.

You can pet the turtle

In the warm season (at temperatures above 20˚C), you can walk with turtles outside. It is interesting to watch how she happily plucks the grass at first.

Summer walk on the lawn

And then a reptile that has mastered itself may surprise you with its curiosity and agility.

Natural habitat conditions

IN wildlife this is an endangered species. Lives in the northern part of India, Pakistan, Iran, and is found in the territory from Afghanistan to Kazakhstan.

Turtle in natural habitat

Prefers deserts and semi-deserts, but loves to lie in the shallow waters of rivers and lakes. It feeds on succulent desert plants and insects.

Hibernates before the onset of drought in early June (after laying eggs) and in winter. Spends this period in burrows up to 2 m deep. It is most active in early spring during the mating season. Life expectancy is 30-40 years, during which it is constantly growing.

The Central Asian turtle, like any other turtle, is afraid of drafts. They are kept in medium-sized terrariums.

Not a bad home for a turtle

Be sure to use an incandescent lamp and an ultraviolet lamp for lighting and heating (at the rate of 4 W per liter of terrarium).

Large pebbles and sawdust are poured onto the bottom. Do not allow small objects and stones to get into the terrarium - they will be swallowed. You need a house without sharp corners (sold in pet stores). You can let him out for a walk in a warm place under watchful supervision.

It is best to maintain a constant temperature: 25-28˚C. This will prevent hibernation at home. Otherwise, consultation with a veterinarian before and after hibernation is necessary.

Feeding your pet

They are fed once every 3 days at the same time with food of plant (90%) and animal origin. As the main food, turtles are given a fresh mixture with the following ingredients (not all at once):

• Carrots with tops, pumpkin, zucchini, bell pepper, eggplant;
• Lettuce, artichoke, green onion;
• Unsweetened apples, strawberries;
• Dandelion, fig, clover, aloe, kalanchoe, echinacea.

Turtle's Meal

In winter they are fed hay.

You cannot give one type of food in large quantities; it is better to offer the indicated components in equal proportions!

Feed little by little:

• Bloodworm larvae;
• Pieces of fish;
• Dry vitamin food allowed for turtles;
• Banana, orange, tangerine, melon, mango, any unsweetened fruit;
• Watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries;
• Sea and regular cabbage, cucumber, tomato;
• Parsley, celery, mushrooms, plantain;
• Fresh sunflower seeds, sprouted oats or barley, dry yeast.

Solid food is necessary for grinding the beak: branches of fruit trees, willow, birch.

You cannot give:

• Cherries, potatoes, garlic, spices, onions, spinach;
• Egg shells, crickets, grasshoppers, locusts, cockroaches, poisonous insects;
• Meat.

Young turtles

Young individuals are given only plant food, gradually increasing the range of the menu.

Features of care

At home, the Central Asian turtle does not completely wear off its claws and beak, so they are regularly shortened by 2-3 mm. Required condition: After trimming, the beak should close completely.

Central Asian turtle swimming

The turtle is bathed 1-2 times a week. The reptile is placed in a container with high sides and filled with chamomile infusion or water. The liquid should cover the tail, but not reach the nostrils. Within half an hour, the turtle absorbs water through its skin and cloaca and empties its intestines. This important procedure should take place at a water temperature of about 30˚C. After bathing, the reptile is wiped dry and placed to bask under a lamp.

Regular walks in the yard are important for your turtle's health. But you can't leave her unattended or near poisonous plants. The animal should have the opportunity to hide in the shade from the scorching sun.

Determining the sex of a turtle

Females are much larger, but have a short tail.

Male and female

Also, in females the cloaca looks like a star, and in males it looks like a strip. Males have a tail that is wide at the base and longer.

You can buy a couple of cute turtles or one pet at a pet store. For this breed of pet, searching for specialized kennels is not required.

And remember - we are responsible for those we have tamed!

The Central Asian land tortoise is naturally found in steppes and semi-deserts, in the arid environments of Kazakhstan, India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan; it is slow and clumsy and uses burrows as a home. Due to the ease of care in captivity, most people choose this species for indoor terrariums.

Central Asian tortoise – species

Central Asian land turtles are small in size - reaching only 15-20 cm in length. They have a rounded shell, similar to a pie, a protective brown-olive-straw color with darkened clearings. There are 25 horny shields on the sides, 13 on the carapace, and 16 on the plastron. The turtle’s head is olive with a hooked upper jaw. There are 4 blunt claws on the front legs. There are 5 species of Central Asian turtle:

How long does the Central Asian turtle live?

Lifespan of turtles natural environment- 40-50 years. IN room conditions The reptile reaches an average age of 15 years. If the maintenance is perfect for an active existence, it can live up to 30 years in captivity. Before determining the age of the Central Asian tortoise, it is necessary to count the grooves visible on the middle 13 plates of its carapace. Their number is equal to the number of years lived by the reptile.

Keeping a Central Asian turtle at home

For a long-term life in captivity, the Central Asian land tortoise requires a spacious home, equipped according to the pet’s habits. Some breeders make large pens for her in the local area in the summer. If this is not possible, you still need to take the reptile out into the air and into the sun more often. The important thing in keeping a Central Asian land turtle is to provide it with more space to live, so it will remain active and healthy for many years. The reptile is placed in plastic boxes, aquariums, and terrariums.

Terrarium for the Central Asian turtle

For the Central Asian land turtle, when kept per individual individual, an area of ​​at least 60x130 cm is recommended, and better yet, even more. Home improvement:

1. The vessel is selected as a horizontal type with top and side ventilation.
2. The temperature in the terrarium should be at 25-27°C, in a separate corner under a lamp - up to 33°C.
3. A 40 W daylight bulb is fixed on the lid for heating and illumination at a height of 20 cm. The heat ensures the normal functioning of the turtle’s body.
4. You definitely need to put up a shelter that acts as a hole. An inverted box or half a pot is suitable for this.
5. Sometimes a container of water is placed in the terrarium, but this is not necessary - the turtle needs lush grass and weekly baths to saturate the body with moisture.

Soil for the Central Asian turtle

It is important to know what the Central Asian tortoise needs so that it feels almost like it is in the wild. Steppe reptiles love to dig. In a vessel in the corner you need to pour a layer of earth with coconut shavings. Sand is not used; the Central Asian turtle is able to swallow it and clog its insides. The soil must be moist, the layer 10-15 cm, so that the reptile can burrow into it. In a turtle house in a warm corner you need to pour pebbles and put voluminous flat stones. They help reptiles sharpen their claws. In addition, turtles love to climb onto rocks and bask under a light bulb.

Lamp for Central Asian tortoise

In addition to heating, the Central Asian land tortoise needs a UV emitter at home. For this purpose, 10% UVB lamps for reptiles have been developed; they do not emit heat into the terrarium, but supply it with ultraviolet light. UV rays are important for the production of vitamin D3 and the absorption of calcium by the body, on which the hardness of the skin depends. The lamp is attached at a level of about 25 cm. The acceptable operating time is 5-12 hours a day.

Caring for a Central Asian turtle at home

To maintain water balance, the Central Asian steppe tortoise needs a bath once a week. To do this, fill the bath with warm water at 25°C to a level of 5-7 cm, just up to the reptile’s neck. The turtle is immersed in it for 15-30 minutes, during which time it drinks and absorbs moisture through the skin. The procedure replenishes the water-salt balance of the body and improves intestinal function. In the bath, the reptile first flounders, then blissfully freezes, drinks water, and defecates. Then the individual is washed; it must be removed when it itself tries to leave the container.

Sometimes the turtle asks to hibernate - refuses food, behaves sluggishly. The process is harmful for her, caused by a discrepancy between temperature conditions and natural ones. A Central Asian tortoise living in captivity should not hibernate, otherwise it may wake up already sick. To avoid wintering, you need to increase the temperature in the terrarium and increase the frequency of bathing.

What to feed the Central Asian turtle at home?

1. Greens come first - up to 85%. Suitable for this: lettuce, lettuce, dandelions, coltsfoot, clover, plantain, alfalfa, sorrel. In winter, dry grass and hay, dried fruits are used.
2. 10% of the diet is vegetables: pumpkin, carrots, zucchini, beets, radishes.
3. 5% of food should be fruits - apples, bananas, pieces of melon, watermelon, as well as strawberries, raspberries, cherries.
4. To support the shell, calcium supplements are added to the food.

Variety is the key to a turtle’s health; it needs to be given more different foods. It is prohibited to use bread, meat, milk, cottage cheese, eggs and other “human” food for pets. Young individuals are fed daily, adults – once every 2-3 days. The amount of food is approximately 1/2 of the size of the shell. It is better not to feed the Central Asian turtle by hand, but to put the food in special containers.

Central Asian tortoise - breeding in captivity

The Central Asian land turtle, which is kept and cared for at home, reaches sexual maturity at the age of 5-6 years. For breeding you will need at least a couple of individuals - a male and a female. Individuals mate starting in February, the duration of pregnancy is 2 months. Then, in April-July, the female lays 2-6 eggs in moist soil. During the season, she can make 2-3 clutches in holes.

Incubation will last 60-65 days, turtles 3-5 cm in size hatch in August-October. Sometimes they remain overwintered in the ground, emerging into the light only in the spring. At birth, turtles have a visible yolk sac; it retracts after 2-4 days, after which the babies begin to eat. They need to be fed soft plant foods, bathed daily, and at 2-3 months they can be switched to a standard diet.

How to determine the sex of a Central Asian turtle?

Adult males are smaller than females, the former measure 13-20 cm, the latter 20-23 cm. Outwardly, it is difficult to distinguish a boy from a girl; the difference between them can only be noticed at the age of 2-5 years with a shell size of 9-11 cm. Central Asian:

1. Males have a longer tail and wider at the base. There is a dent visible on the plastron closer to the bottom. The cloaca is located further along the tail.
2. In females, the plastron is flat-shaped, the tail is shorter, without thickening due to the placement of the oviduct. The cloaca is visible near the end of the carapace.

Diseases of Central Asian turtles

IN good conditions reptiles live for decades, but they can also become depressed. Central Asian tortoise – possible diseases:

1. Rickets. The individual's skin and bones soften and become deformed, and fractures occur. The problem is a lack of vitamin D3 and calcium, and insufficient lighting. It is necessary to introduce mineralized supplements into the reptile's diet, increase daylight hours under a UV lamp, and expose it to the sun. Calcium glucanate should be injected under the skin.
2. Abscesses. The reason is injuries and insect bites, manifested by swelling, abscesses, and tissue necrosis. The site of the abscess is opened by a veterinarian, washed with hydrogen peroxide, lubricated with trypsin antiseptic, and antibiotics may be needed.
3. Fungus. White spots and peeling appear on the shell. The affected areas are lubricated with antifungal ointments.
4. Pneumonia. Happens due to a draft or walking on a cold floor. The reptile begins to breathe hoarsely, mucus forms in the mouth, and bubbly fluid flows from the nose. A course of antibiotics for 5 days is required (amikacin 5 mg, baytril 5 mg per kg of weight).
5. Rhinitis, sinusitis. Mucus discharge appears from the nose, and the individual behaves sluggishly. The pet should be kept warm, the sinuses should be rinsed with chlorhexidine and sea salt from a syringe.
6. Conjunctivitis. There is inflammation and redness of the eyelids, the disease is caused by a streptococcal infection. The course of therapy includes ointments (tetracycline) and antibiotics.

The Central Asian tortoise, also known as the steppe tortoise (Testudo (Agrionemys) horsfieldii) belongs to the family of Land turtles (Testudinidae). The works of Russian herpetologists are classified this type as a monotypic genus of Central Asian turtles (Agrionemys).

Description of the Central Asian turtle

Central Asian turtles are an unpretentious and quite interesting species from the point of view of keeping in captivity, which is perfect for growing in a not too large city apartment or private house.

Appearance

The steppe tortoise has a relatively low, rounded, yellowish-brown shell with vague dark spots on the surface. The carapace is divided into thirteen horn-type scutes with grooves, and has sixteen plastrons. The lateral part of the carapace is represented by 25 scutes.

This is interesting! Determining the age of the Central Asian land turtle is very simple. Like the number of annual rings on a tree cut, each of the thirteen scutes on the carapace has grooves, the number of which corresponds to the age of the turtle.

The average length of an adult turtle rarely exceeds a quarter of a meter. Mature females are usually noticeably larger than adult males. The front paws of the Central Asian turtle are characterized by the presence of four toes. On the thigh hind legs there are horny tubercles. Females become sexually mature at the age of ten years, and males are ready to breed four years earlier.

Lifestyle and behavioral characteristics

Central Asian turtles in natural, natural conditions habitats usually hibernate twice a year - in winter period and in summer heat. Before hibernating, the turtle digs a hole for itself, the depth of which can easily reach two meters. In captivity, such reptiles can rarely hibernate.

Turtles belong to the category of reptiles leading a solitary lifestyle, therefore they are able to seek the company of their own kind exclusively in mating season or during the winter. In nature, around March or April, land turtles come out of hibernation en masse, after which they begin the mating process.

Lifespan

The Central Asian tortoise is one of the very popular pets in our country, living in natural and domestic conditions for about half a century. A specific feature of such a turtle is the preservation of active growth processes throughout its life. If the conditions of detention are observed, health problems arise extremely rarely.

Distribution area, habitats

The name of the Central Asian tortoise is explained by the distribution area of ​​this land reptile. A significant number of individuals are found in the southern regions of Kazakhstan, as well as Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. The reptile is perfectly adapted to living in climatic conditions Northeast Iran, Afghanistan, Syria and Lebanon, as well as northwest India and Pakistan.

The habitat of the Central Asian tortoise is clayey and sandy desert lands overgrown with wormwood, tamarisk or saxaul. Many individuals are found in foothill areas and even at an altitude of up to 1.2 thousand meters above sea level. Also a large number of Until recently, adult and young Central Asian turtles were found in river valleys and agricultural lands.

Keeping a Central Asian tortoise at home

A characteristic feature of land turtles, including the Central Asian species, is their absolute unpretentiousness. The main condition for proper maintenance of such a reptile in captivity is right choice home, as well as creating an optimal, fully balanced diet.

Choosing an aquarium, characteristics

At home, a land turtle must be kept in a special terrarium or aquarium, the minimum dimensions of which are 70x60x20 cm. However, the larger the usable area of ​​the terrarium or aquarium, the better and more comfortable the exotic pet will feel.

Organic matter, represented by well-dried and high-quality hay, wood chips and large pebbles, can be considered as bedding soil. The latter option is more preferable and allows the land reptile to grind down its claws in a natural way.

It is important to remember that keeping a domestic land turtle free-ranging in an apartment is unacceptable, due to the presence of dust and drafts, which are very dangerous for the exotic reptile. If desired, you can arrange a special enclosure for the turtle in the room..

When preparing a terrarium for a Central Asian tortoise, it is very important to purchase and correctly position a standard ultraviolet lamp that has a UVB light spectrum of 10%. Ultraviolet light is vital for the land turtle. Such illumination ensures normal life activities for a pet, promotes the absorption of calcium and vitamin D3, and also prevents the development of rickets in the exotic reptile.

It must be remembered that UV lamp should be purchased exclusively at a pet store, and the temperature gradient can vary from 22-25°C to 32-35°C. As a rule, the turtle independently chooses for itself the optimal, most comfortable temperature regime in this moment. For the purpose of heating inside the terrarium, it is advisable to install a traditional incandescent lamp with power ratings in the range of 40-60 W. Not recommended for heating a terrarium or aquarium modern devices, represented by thermal cords or heating stones.

Care and hygiene

The Central Asian turtle does not need any special care. Periodically it is necessary to clean the terrarium, as well as replace bedding soil that has become unusable. Twice a month it is highly advisable to perform general cleaning in the terrarium or aquarium using non-toxic detergents. During this cleaning process, it is necessary to disinfect all decorative fillers, as well as feeders and drinkers.

What to feed a turtle

Under natural conditions, Central Asian turtles feed exclusively on sparse desert vegetation, melons, fruits and berries, as well as seedlings of herbaceous and shrubby perennials.

At home, reptiles should be provided with very high-quality and varied feeding using a variety of foods of plant origin. To feed a domestic land turtle, it is quite possible to use almost any greenery, as well as weeds, such as dandelion, plantain, lettuce leaves, hay and carrot tops. When compiling a reptile’s diet, you need to focus on the following proportions:

• green crops - about 80% of the total diet;
• vegetable crops - about 15% of the total diet;
• fruit crops and berries - approximately 5% of the total diet.

It is strictly forbidden to feed pet turtle cabbage, as well as animal feed. To make a land reptile's nutrition complete, it is necessary to supplement the food with special calcium supplements, including crushed cuttlefish shell. A young turtle needs to be fed daily, but an adult turtle is usually fed every other day. The rate of feed supply is calculated strictly individually, depending on age characteristics domestic exotic.

Health, disease and prevention

Your pet should receive regular preventive examinations from a veterinarian who specializes in the treatment of reptiles and exotics. The urine and feces of land turtles are characterized by the presence of a large number of bacteria. Under natural conditions, land reptiles are able to travel considerable distances, so the risk of infection from sewage is extremely low.

When kept at home, turtles often get sick if the hygiene of the terrarium or enclosure is not maintained, so it is necessary:

• change water for drinking or bathing daily;
• regularly disinfect water tanks;
• Monitor the dryness and cleanliness of the bedding soil.

The main, most dangerous and common diseases for domestic reptiles are the following:

Damage to the shell in the form of a crack or fracture, which often occurs as a result of a fall or an animal bite, can be very dangerous. The recovery process of an exotic in this case directly depends on the level of severity of the injury received. The damaged area of ​​the shell must be thoroughly disinfected and properly isolated from negative external influences. Medicines containing significant amounts of calcium can speed up healing.

Important! Infection of land reptiles with the herpes virus, which very often becomes the main cause of death, requires special attention.

Turtle breeding

For successful reproduction in captivity, you will need to purchase a pair of Central Asian turtles of the same age and approximately equal weight. The female differs from the male in the shape of the tail. The male has a longer and wider tail at the base, and the female Central Asian tortoise is characterized by a dent located on the plastron, near the tail. Males are also distinguished from females by the cloaca located further along the tail.

Land turtles mate between February and August, immediately after emerging from their natural state of hibernation. The duration of gestation by the female is a couple of months, after which the pet lays from two to six eggs. The process of incubation of eggs lasts two months and is carried out at temperature conditions at 28-30°C. Newborn turtles that have just hatched from eggs have a shell about 2.5 cm long.

This is interesting! Low incubation temperatures cause the birth of a large number of males, and at high temperatures, females are most often born.

The Central Asian tortoise is a cute reptile, distinguished by its slowness and clumsiness. At the same time, the turtle has a unique charm. Keeping a Central Asian turtle does not require special knowledge; it does not need to create unimaginable living conditions. It is precisely because of the ease of care that a large number of people prefer to choose representatives of this particular species for home keeping.

Central Asian land turtle in nature

The habitat of the Central Asian turtle is clear from its name. These reptiles live in Central Asia which have a relatively dry climate. The bulk of Central Asian tortoises live in the steppes, so the species has acquired another name - the steppe tortoise. Due to the lack of water, the reptile gets moisture from food, but in the steppes there is a minimal amount of succulent food. That is why the Central Asian reptile can do without moisture for a long time and consume a minimum amount of it. The average lifespan of a reptile in nature is more than 40 years. The length of the shell can be from 3 to 25 cm. Recently, the number of individuals has sharply decreased, so the Central Asian tortoise is protected by the Red Book.

Central Asian land turtle at home

As noted earlier, the Central Asian turtle, whose care is quite simple, is unpretentious. Thus, a reptile in the wild feeds mainly on tough plants and is accustomed to doing without water. Slowness and sluggishness are the main differences between a turtle and other representatives of reptiles.

Setting up an enclosure or terrarium

The Central Asian tortoise, the maintenance of which does not involve large expenses, still requires a spacious home, which is equipped in accordance with the requirements of the pet. So, you need to choose a spacious terrarium in which your pet will have room to spread out. Some breeders set up enclosures where the animal has a huge area for movement.

Before you do this, check the following items in your home:

• priming;
• incandescent lamp;
• Ultraviolet lamp;
• house;
• feeder

There is no need to stir the drinking bowl. You can't just keep a turtle on the floor. There is a danger of stepping on your pet, and the reptile can also get sick while in a draft.

Creation of soil

The Central Asian land turtle lives in places with hard or clayey soil. Therefore, she simply needs soil in a terrarium or enclosure. You can create it using stones. You just need to choose stones that the turtle cannot swallow - foreign objects entering the gastrointestinal tract can lead to illness. You can also improve the soil using sawdust, wood chips or hay. The best option is to use all the named items at once.

Feeding

The frequency of feeding depends on the age of the turtle. Young individuals need to be fed every day. Those turtles whose length exceeds 10 cm can feed once every 2-3 days. Food must be placed in the feeder so that the reptile does not eat from the ground. The optimal amount of food is ½ the length of the shell for each feeding.

The diet should not be monotonous. Most of the feed should consist of lettuce and leaves of other edible plants, as well as roughage in the form of hay and dried grasses. Vegetables can be given in smaller quantities; the content of fruits in the diet is minimal. You need to remember that a reptile in the wild eats hard food, so don’t get carried away succulent plants while trying to give your pet something to drink. Excessive amounts of succulent feed can lead to problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Diseases can also be caused by feeding an animal bread, milk, cottage cheese, eggs - that is, human food.

Lamp Installation

There should be two types of lamps in a terrarium or enclosure:

1. incandescent lamp. Designed to warm the turtle's habitat. The Central Asian tortoise should receive optimal temperature environment. Do not place the lamp too low to avoid overheating;
2. Ultraviolet lamp. A lamp that produces ultraviolet rays is useful for the normal development of a pet. Its optimal height is 20-40 cm above the turtle.

It is worth remembering that excessive overheating is also dangerous for your pet. The acceptable operating time of a UV lamp for a Central Asian tortoise is about 5 hours.

Watering and bathing the Central Asian turtle

The Central Asian turtle, whose care is in principle simple, requires compliance with reptile hygiene. By bathing, you can get rid of contaminants; also, when in water, the reptile saturates the body with moisture, absorbing it through the skin. Here’s the answer: you can just bathe her.

The optimal number of baths for the Central Asian turtle is once a week. The use of soap is allowed only in cases of extreme contamination of the pet. The water temperature should be optimal for your pet - about 30 degrees Celsius. The height of the water is 2/3 of the height of the turtle itself. The average bathing time should be about half an hour.

Dream of a Central Asian turtle

The Central Asian land turtle hibernates under natural conditions. When keeping a pet at home, hibernation is generally undesirable - it can harm the body. If you notice a sharp decrease in activity before the onset of cold weather, do not let your pet fall asleep. As an option, you can increase the ambient temperature, thereby deceiving the reptile’s body. If you are wondering at home, the answer will depend on the individual conditions of detention and on the turtle itself. Some individuals can sleep all night and fall asleep several times during the day, and for some pets a short night's sleep will be enough.

The Central Asian turtle, which is relatively easy to care for, has a unique charm. She is able to please her owner for a very long time if optimal conditions are created for her. It is not recommended to let the reptile move freely around the apartment - this can cause injury to the pet and it will be able to climb into a hard-to-reach place. Diseases due to drafts are also possible. With proper care, the life expectancy of a Central Asian tortoise can range from 10 to 30 years. There are cases where reptiles lived for more than three decades.