{"title":"Chelonia","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"horsefield-tortoise","title":"Horsefield Tortoise","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Horsfield's Tortoise\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eTestudo horsfieldii\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSource:\u003c\/strong\u003e CB\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15–25cm shell length; females typically larger than males\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Central Asia — from Iran and Afghanistan east through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and into Pakistan and western China\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnclosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e A minimum \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/viperia.co.uk\/products\/120x60x60cm-4ft-pvc-vivarium\" style=\"color:#1a73e8;text-decoration:underline;\"\u003e120×60×60cm Viperia PVC vivarium\u003c\/a\u003e for a single adult, with a deep layer of sandy loam or topsoil\/play sand mix substrate to allow natural digging behaviour, a defined basking spot, at least one secure hide, and a shallow food dish\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeating:\u003c\/strong\u003e Basking spot of 35–40°C; ambient cool side 20–25°C; night-time drop to 15–18°C is acceptable and natural for this species\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHumidity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30–50% — keep the enclosure generally dry; a light mist or damp hide corner can be offered periodically but avoid prolonged high humidity\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUVB:\u003c\/strong\u003e A 12% UVB tube run along most of the vivarium's width, positioned so the tortoise can bask 25–35cm from the lamp — this species is a strong, open-habitat basker and requires high UV exposure to metabolise calcium correctly\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Primarily broad-leaved weeds and leafy greens — dandelion, plantain, clover, and hibiscus leaves are ideal staples. Dust food lightly with calcium supplement at most feeds and use a combined calcium\/D3 supplement once weekly. Feed adults every other day; juveniles daily. Fruit and high-protein foods should be avoided entirely.\u003cbr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eABOUT THIS SPECIES\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHorsfield's Tortoises — also known as Russian or Central Asian Tortoises — are one of the most widely kept tortoise species in the UK, and for good reason. Hailing from the arid steppes and semi-desert regions of Central Asia, they are naturally adapted to dramatic seasonal extremes, making them a hardy and characterful choice for reptile keepers. Their compact, domed shells and strong, spade-like forelimbs (adapted for digging deep burrows in the wild) give them a wonderfully robust appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese tortoises are active, inquisitive, and surprisingly personable — they quickly learn to associate their keeper with food and will often patrol their enclosure with purpose during the day. They are well suited to intermediate keepers who can commit to their long lifespan (often 40–60 years or more in good care) and their requirement for a proper winter hibernation period, which is an important part of keeping them healthy long-term.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Viperia","offers":[{"title":"Unsexed","offer_id":54783622349137,"sku":"horsefield-tortoise - 001","price":99.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1077\/6952\/8657\/files\/Horsefield-Tortoise_4.jpg?v=1788426973"},{"product_id":"sulcata-tortoise","title":"Sulcata Tortoise","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"1090\"\u003eCommon Name: African Spurred Tortoise\u003cbr data-start=\"121\" data-end=\"124\"\u003eScientific Name: \u003cem data-start=\"141\" data-end=\"163\"\u003eCentrochelys sulcata\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"230\" data-end=\"233\"\u003eSource (Captive bred \/ Wild caught \/ Farm bred \/ Unknown): CB25\u003cbr data-start=\"304\" data-end=\"307\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"1090\"\u003eAdult Size: Typically 60-80 cm shell length\u003cbr data-start=\"350\" data-end=\"353\"\u003eNative Range: Sub-Saharan Africa (Sahel region)\u003cbr data-start=\"400\" data-end=\"403\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"1090\"\u003eEnclosure: Large, secure indoor pen for juveniles; substantial outdoor enclosure required for adults with deep substrate for digging\u003cbr data-start=\"566\" data-end=\"569\"\u003eHeating: Basking area 35-40 °C \/ Ambient 24-30 °C \/ Night drop 18-22 °C\u003cbr data-start=\"673\" data-end=\"676\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"1090\"\u003eHumidity: Generally dry 30-50 % with good airflow; avoid damp conditions\u003cbr data-start=\"787\" data-end=\"790\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"1090\"\u003eUVB: High-output UVB lighting\u003cbr data-start=\"847\" data-end=\"850\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"1090\"\u003eDiet: High-fibre grasses and leafy weeds daily; limited vegetables; calcium supplementation\u003cbr data-start=\"1008\" data-end=\"1011\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"1090\"\u003eWater: Fresh water available at all times; shallow soaking dish for juveniles\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp data-start=\"1092\" data-end=\"1112\"\u003eABOUT THIS SPECIES\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp data-start=\"1114\" data-end=\"1464\"\u003eThe African Spurred Tortoise is the 3rd Largest Tortoise species, native to the arid Sahel belt below the Sahara. Adults develop a heavy, domed shell with pronounced growth rings and distinctive spurs on the hind legs, from which the common name is derived. Colouration is typically sandy brown to golden, blending with dry grassland habitats.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp data-start=\"1466\" data-end=\"1916\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eIn the wild, this species is known for digging extensive burrows to escape extreme heat and cold, a behaviour that continues in captivity where deep substrate and secure boundaries are important. It is a robust, fast-growing tortoise that requires significant long-term space planning. With the correct dry, well-ventilated environment and a fibre-rich diet, it becomes a hardy and long-lived species suited to keepers prepared for its eventual size.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Viperia UK","offers":[{"title":"Unsexed","offer_id":54783667732817,"sku":"sulcata-tortoise-unsexed","price":149.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1077\/6952\/8657\/files\/Sulcata-Tortoise_1.jpg?v=1788427934"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1077\/6952\/8657\/collections\/Chelonia_dd7094d9-88b2-42d9-af91-26f91e5fb379.jpg?v=1789043828","url":"https:\/\/viperiareptiles.co.uk\/collections\/chelonia.oembed","provider":"Viperia Reptiles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}