Tortioses That Stay Small – What Breeds of Tortoise Stay Tiny?

You want to buy a tortoise, but you’re not sure what kind of tortoise to get. There are so many different types of tortoises out there that it can be hard to figure out which one is right for you.

If you want to buy a tortoise that stays small you should buy a breed like the desert tortoise, the Russian tortoise, or the Hermann’s tortoise. These are all breeds of tortoises that stay small even when they are fully grown.

If you want a tortoise that is a little bit bigger then you could buy a sulcata tortoise or a leopard tortoise. These two breeds typically stay between 10 and 20 pounds when they are fully grown.

Whatever breed of tortoise you decide to buy, make sure you do your research beforehand so that you know what to expect in terms of size, care, and personality.

What is the smallest breed of tortoise?

The smallest breed of tortoises is the Egyptian Tortoise. These little guys only grow to be about 4 inches long and weigh less than a pound! While they are the smallest tortoise breed, they still require the same care as any other tortoise. They need a warm environment, plenty of space to roam, and a diet rich in leafy greens. If you’re thinking of getting a tortoise, be sure to do your research first.

Here is a list or tortoise breeds by size:

  • Egyptian Tortoise – 3-4 inches long and weight less than a pound
  • Leopard Tortoise – 12-16 inches long and 20-30 pounds
  • Redfoot Tortoise – 18-24 inches long and 15-35 pounds
  • Greek Tortoise – 4-10 inches long and 2-5 pounds
  • Sulcata Tortoise – 36-48 inches long and 100-200 pounds
  • African spurred tortoise – 24-36 inches long and 100 pounds
  • Indian star tortoise – 4-6 inches long and 2-5 pounds
  • Burmese brown tortoise – 8-10 inches long and 20-35 pounds
  • Russian tortoise – 4-8 inches long and 5-20 pounds
  • Hermann’s tortoise – 4-8 inches long and 5-15 pounds
  • Red-eared slider – 8-16 inches long and 5-35 pounds
  • Cherry head tortoise – 8-14 inches long and 20-35 pounds
  • Yellowfoot tortoise – 16-24 inches long and 35-55 pounds
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As you can see if you want a mini tortoise that will stay small forever you should go for the Egyptian Tortoise, Leopard Tortoise, or the Indian Star Tortoise.

If you want a tortoise that will get big but not too big then the Sulcata Tortoise, African Spurred Tortoise, or Redfoot Tortoise would be a good choice. The Russian Tortoise and Hermann’s Tortoise are good middle of the road choices that will get to be about 8-10 inches long.

If you want a really big tortoise then you should look into the Sulcata Tortoise, African Spurred Tortoise, or Cherry Head tortoises. Just remember that all tortoises require special care so do your research before getting one.

Will my tiny tortoise stay small forever?

Wether your tortoise will stay small forever depends on why it is small now. If it is because it is a baby it will probably not stay small always. However if it is indeed a small breed like the Egyptian Tortoise, then it will stay small its whole life. So if you want a tortoise that will always be little, go for the Egyptian!

Besides the Egyptian tortoise small tortoise breeds include the Red Footed Tortoise, and the Leopard Tortoise. Both of these tortoises stay relatively small compared to their cousins. The Leopard Tortoise can get up to about 10 – 18 inches long and weigh around 25 pounds while the other two tortoises stay smaller than a foot long.

How to take care of a tiny tortoise?

Taking care of a tiny tortoise is pretty similar to looking after other small pet animals. They should live in an appropriate place with access to food and water, both moist and dry areas for when they want it wet or dry. If the space is too cold, put up some heating light bulbs.

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Lighting up their living area during the day will also be a good idea if natural light isn’t available as this stimulates them better than lighting at dusk or nighttime hours that can cause stress on their biological clock because they won’t be able to adapt as easily.

Wash your hands thoroughly before picking your pet turtle up and make sure all surfaces where they walk are clean so that no harmful bacteria enters their system through any open cuts or sores.

When it comes to feeding your small pet tortoise, you have a few different options. You can either buy special turtle food pellets or sticks that are made specifically for their diet, or you can give them vegetables and fruits as well.

Some of the best vegetables for tiny tortoises include kale, spinach, carrots, and turnips. As for fruits, apples, grapes, strawberries, and watermelons are all good choices. It’s important to chopped everything up into small pieces so they can easily eat it and digest it properly.

A big no-no when it comes to feeding your small tortoise is giving them lettuce as this contains very little nutritional value and can actually cause health problems down the road.

For water, you can either use a small bowl or get a shallow dish that’s big enough for them to soak in if they want to. It’s important to change the water regularly and clean the bowl/dish to avoid any bacteria buildup.

As long as you keep these things in mind, taking care of your mini tortoise will be a breeze.

What kind of housing is best for a tiny tortoise?

Housing for pet tortoises should be dark, humid (not moist), and confined to small spaces.

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The best way to achieve these conditions is to purchase a commercial terrarium or to build one yourself. A 20-gallon aquarium makes an excellent home for a tiny tortoise. Be sure to include a hiding place, such as a small cardboard box, for your pet to retreat to when it feels threatened.

The substrate should be something that holds moisture, such as sphagnum moss or peat moss. Live plants can also be used, but they must be nontoxic and safe for reptiles. Finally, the terrarium should be equipped with a full-spectrum ultraviolet light source to provide your tortoise with the vitamin D it needs for proper calcium absorption.

A vivarium is a great option for those who want to keep their small tortoises outdoors. A simple plastic storage container can be outfitted with the necessary features, or you can purchase a premade vivarium. As with indoor housing, the vivarium should be small, dark, and humid. It should also have a hiding place and a substrate that holds moisture.

An outdoor tortoise enclosure should be large enough to allow your small tortoise to roam freely and get plenty of exercise. The enclosure should also provide some protection from the elements, such as a shady area to escape the heat of the sun. Finally, the enclosure should be secure to prevent your tortoise from escaping.

Is there such a thing as a dwarf tortoise?

Yes, there is such a thing as a dwarf tortoise. They are a smaller variety of the common tortoise and can be found in Africa, Asia and Europe. They typically grow to be about 6-8 inches in length and can live for upwards of 50 years.

Dwarf tortoises are herbivores and enjoy eating leafy greens, vegetables and fruits. While they are not currently considered to be endangered, their populations are declining due to habitat loss.

As such, they are listed as a species of concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Dwarf tortoises are popular pets due to their small size and docile nature. If you are considering getting a dwarf tortoise, be sure to do your research first. They require special care and housing, and it is important to make sure that you can provide them with everything they need before making the commitment.