{"id":19526,"date":"2015-03-25T16:52:15","date_gmt":"2015-03-25T16:52:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lafeber.com\/vet\/?p=19526"},"modified":"2025-09-11T11:09:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T16:09:53","slug":"basic-information-sheet-egyptian-tortoise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/vet\/basic-information-sheet-egyptian-tortoise\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Information Sheet: Egyptian Tortoise"},"content":{"rendered":"

Egyptian Tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni<\/em>)<\/h1>\n
\"Egyptian<\/a>

Testudo kleinmanni<\/em>. Photo credit: Roy Winkelman via Clippix ETC<\/small><\/p><\/div>\n

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Natural history<\/h2>\n

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\nThe Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni<\/em>) is also know as Kleinmann\u2019s tortoise or Leith\u2019s tortoise. The native habitat of the Egyptian tortoise consists of desert and semi-desert scrub, although this species is also found in salt marsh margins, sandy gravel plains, as well as the rocky escarpments of the \u201cwadis\u201d, a stream bed that is usually dry except during the rainy season. The Egyptian tortoise is currently found in coastal Libya and Egypt as well as Israel, however its range was once much larger, extending across Egypt and down into southern Palestine. Reports suggest that the Egyptian tortoise diet in the wild consists primarily of saltwort (genus Salsola<\/em>) and sea lavender (Limonium latifolium<\/em>).
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Conservation status<\/h2>\n

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\nThe International Union on Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Egyptian tortoise as critically endangered. Human development, overgrazing, and collection of specimens for the pet trade have decimated this species\u2019 range. Removal of animals from the wild took its most devastating toll on population numbers in the 1980s and early 1990s.
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Taxonomy<\/h2>\n

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\nClass<\/strong>: Reptilia<\/em><\/p>\n

Order<\/strong>: Chelonia\/Testudines<\/em><\/p>\n

Family<\/strong>: Testudinidae<\/em><\/p>\n

Genus<\/strong>: Testudo<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Testudo kleinmanni<\/em><\/p>\n

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Physical description<\/h2>\n

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\nTestudo kleinmanni<\/em> is the smallest species in Genus Testudo. Straight carapace length of the adult male is typically 8-10 cm (3-4 in); adult females are somewhat larger at 10-12 cm (4 \u2013 5 in) in length. Carapace length can reach a maximum 14.4 cm (5.7 in).<\/p>\n

Egyptian tortoises resemble Testudo negev<\/i>, which also inhabit similar terrain but is almost extinct.<\/p>\n

Shell color can range from near gray to ivory to a rich golden color, however the Egyptian tortoise is generally a pale, dull, yellow. The carapace<\/a> as dark brown or black marks on the front and sides of each scute.<\/a> This dark keratin often fades with age to a lighter shade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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The plastron<\/a> is pale yellow with two dark, clearly marked triangular notches or chevrons on the abdominal scutes (shown left<\/em>). These unique markings are present even on hatchlings, and the chevrons lengthen as the plastron grows.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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The carapace of the Egyptian tortoise is high-domed. Only the supracaudal scute is flared (shown left<\/em>, arrow).The caudal third of the plastron forms a moveable hinge that is retained into adulthood. This plastral kinesis allows the tortoise to withdraw and protect its hindquarters. The four posterior scutes, femoral scutes and anal scutes, overly this hinge.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Egyptian tortoises have no tubercle on the thigh. There are usually only three longitudinal rows of enlarged scales on the anterior surface of the foreleg.
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Sexual dimorphism<\/h2>\n

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\nIn addition to all of the general characteristics that distinguish male and female Mediterranean tortoises<\/a>, the vent is longer and more slit-like in the Egyptian tortoise male; the vent is puckered and closer to the shell in females
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Diet<\/h2>\n

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\nThe Egyptian tortoise eats a wide variety of vegetation ranging from grasses to broadleaf plants and their blooms. Two plants found in its native habit that also grow in North America are saltwort and sea lavender. This species also occasionally eats insect and carrion in the wild, although captive specimens are best offered a strictly herbivorous diet.<\/p>\n

As a desert species, it is easy to provide the captive Egyptian tortoise with a diet that is excessively rich. Erwin 2004 recommends feeding adult and sub-adult tortoises a ration of mixed greens and weeds with grass hay four times weekly. On alternate days, tortoises are provided with high fiber treats such as mallow or hibiscus leaves or flowers, sea lavender leaves, or they are allowed to graze for several hours on a chemical-free Bermuda grass lawn.<\/p>\n

See the\u00a0Mediterranean Tortoise<\/a> Basic Information Sheet for additional information.
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Housing<\/h2>\n

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Temperature<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

Egyptian tortoises appear to be fairly cold tolerant. From October to April, ambient daytime temperatures are maintained from 17\u00baC-24\u00baC (62.6\u00baF-75.2\u00baF) with a basking spot around 29\u00baC-32.2\u00baC (85\u00baF-90\u00baF). When exposed to higher temperatures, activity decreases and under natural conditions the tortoise will aestivate (see aestivation below<\/i>).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Humidity<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

The Egyptian tortoise is native to an arid climate and cannot tolerate damp conditions. Strive for an ambient relative humidity between 20% and 30%. A shallow water bowl should be offered and changed regularly.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Lighting<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

Artificial UVB lighting is recommended for captive specimens. See the\u00a0Mediterranean Tortoise<\/a> Basic Information Sheet for additional information.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Cage size and design<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

An\u00a0outdoor pen<\/a>\u00a0is an excellent option but only during warm weather months in a low humidity climate. This small tortoise requires a great deal of space. A breeding pair should have a minimum of 0.7 square meter (8 square feet). Provide an additional 0.2-0.4 square meter (2-4 square feet) minimum for each additional animal. Enclosure walls should be opaque and at least 20 cm (8 in) high. Provide at least 5-8 cm (2-3 in) of substrate material in the pen so that Egyptian tortoises can indulge their natural desire to dig small \u201cscrapes\u201d: excavations that allow the tortoise to bury the plastron, the most vulnerable portion of its body, as it settles down at the end of the day.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Aestivation<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

Egyptian tortoises do not hibernate, but when exposed to temperatures exceeding 32.2\u00b0C (90\u00b0F), activity decreases and under natural conditions the tortoise will aestivate. In fact Testudo kleinmanni<\/em> is the only temperate terrestrial tortoise that rests during the summer heat and is more active during the winter.To simulate the \u201cdry season\u201d and assist in stimulation of aestivation in the captive animal, the basking area is maintained at a constant 35\u00b0C (95\u00b0F) during May to September. Of course it is difficult to replicate conditions for safe aestivation in captivity, and for this reason some herpetologists elect to maintain tortoises at moderate temperatures that allow normal activity year round.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Physiologic values<\/h2>\n

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Reproductive season<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

Mate during the fall, eggs laid in early spring<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Eggs per clutch<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

1 (very large), rarely up to 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Incubation period<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

4-5 months<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Lifespan<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

Tortoises are known for their longevity, with proper care Egyptian tortoises may live 70-100 years.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Anatomy\/ physiology<\/h2>\n

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\nSee the\u00a0Mediterranean Tortoise<\/a>\u00a0Basic Information Sheet
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Restraint<\/h2>\n

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\nSee the\u00a0Mediterranean Tortoise<\/a>\u00a0Basic Information Sheet
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Venipuncture<\/h2>\n

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\nSee the\u00a0Mediterranean Tortoise<\/a>\u00a0Basic Information Sheet
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Preventive medicine<\/h2>\n

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\nSee the\u00a0Mediterranean Tortoise<\/a>\u00a0Basic Information Sheet
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Important medical conditions<\/h2>\n

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