Your tortoise or terrapin deserves the best care possible so make sure you are also prepared to:

• check that the person who looks after your pet when you go on holiday knows all about the care needed, including maintaining suitable lighting and heating
  
  
• accept that tortoises can live for more than 50 years, and terrapins for 30 years
  
  
• find out what size your tortoise or terrapin will grow to - for instance, the African spurred or sulcata tortoise is a giant that can reach 80 centimetres!

Note:
Don't oil or scratch your tortoise's shell as this can block the pores, attract dirt and increase the risk of infection. Also, watch out for shell deformities and other health problems, which can be caused by an unbalanced diet or insufficient UV lighting.

Read our tortoises and terrapins pet card for essential information about your pet: 

 

Tortoises and terrapins pet card

Go to the RSPCA website for a more detailed view on types of tortoise & terrapin