Slowly.
And full of surprises.
A shell that is part of the body. A story millions of years old. Discover fascinating facts about turtles and tortoises, and meet the two tortoise species featured on zelvica.net.
Did you know? ↓
Did you know?
The facts below concern turtles and tortoises as a group. Individual species have their own characteristics and needs.
An ancient group
The origins of the turtle lineage date back around 220 million years. Their story began in the age of the dinosaurs.
Source: San Diego Zoo ↗Part of the body, not a little house
A tortoise cannot leave its shell. The shell is permanently connected to its spine and ribs.
Source: San Diego Zoo ↗The shell can feel
Turtles and tortoises can feel pressure and pain through their shells. The shell is a living part of the body, so always handle it gently.
Source: San Diego Zoo ↗A bite with a beak-like edge
Turtles and tortoises have no teeth. They bite off food with a hard, sharp, beak-like edge to their mouths.
Source: San Diego Zoo ↗Temperature shapes their day
Turtles and tortoises are ectothermic: they depend on external sources of body heat. The temperature of their surroundings is therefore an important part of their lives.
Source: San Diego Zoo ↗World Turtle Day
World Turtle Day takes place every year on 23 May. It encourages people to learn about and protect turtles, tortoises and their habitats.
Source: World Turtle Day® ↗Every shell has
its own story.
Get to know
their needs, too.
Explore housing and feeding advice, and prepare a home for your tortoise.
Sources checked on 15 October 2026.
Hermann’s or marginated?
The Slovenian name “grška želva” used on the Slovenian version of this site refers to Testudo hermanni. The English name “Greek tortoise” often refers to a different species, Testudo graeca; always check the scientific name when reading care guides.
| Characteristic | Hermann’s tortoise Testudo hermanni | Marginated tortoise Testudo marginata |
|---|---|---|
| Size | ADW gives a length of approximately 12–23 cm; size varies with sex and population. | A specialist review gives a usual straight carapace length of 32–34 cm. This is not the width of the shell. |
| Identification | Yellow and dark markings, with characteristic dark bands on the underside of the shell. | An elongated shell with a distinctly flared rear edge in adults. |
| Daily rhythm | Active during the day; its rhythm changes with temperature. | Mainly active in the morning and towards evening; seeks shade in hot weather. |
| Space | A secure enclosure with sun, shade and shelter. | The same basic provisions, with space also planned for its larger adult size. |
| Feeding | A varied, high-fibre, plant-based diet. | Grasses, herbs and other suitable high-fibre plants. |
| Hibernation | Assess the species, origin, condition and husbandry; plan with a reptile vet. | |
Sources: Animal Diversity Web · T. hermanni ↗ · Chelonian Research Monographs · T. marginata ↗ · Gdańsk Zoo ↗.
“Calm” or “sociable” is not a guaranteed species trait. Consider the individual animal’s behaviour when planning its care; size is a range, not a promise of final growth.
Good to know.
Does a tortoise need another tortoise for company?Sharing an enclosure is not automatically a good choice.+
Do not mix different species. Even within the same species, watch for harassment and injuries; BCG particularly warns about males persistently harassing females.
Should every tortoise hibernate every winter?Correct species identification and health are key.+
No. Sick or underweight animals should not be put into hibernation. Advice for another species should not automatically be applied to your tortoise. A reptile vet should confirm a suitable plan.
How long is the commitment to a tortoise?Plan for the long term, including changes in your own life.+
An individual tortoise’s lifespan cannot be predicted precisely. ADW does not give a reliably established maximum age for Hermann’s tortoise. It is better to plan for decades of care than promise the same lifespan for every animal.
Is an ordinary light bulb enough?Providing heat does not necessarily provide UVB.+
For indoor care, check the requirements for heat and UVB separately. The setup must also let the tortoise move away from the lit and heated area.