Spur Thigh Tortoise….. ( Testudo Graeca ) The Spur Thigh Tortoise is so called due to the fact that it has a small spur on each thigh and a single supracaudal plate, the colour of these tortoises is yellow to orange and also from brown to black. The tortoise body is surrounded by a protective shell with the upperpart known as the carapace and the lower part known as the plastron, both are made up of individual boney plates and horny scutes, as for the size of these tortoises, the carapace length varies according to subspecies.Males are smaller in overall size and have a more elongated body shape with a narrower waist but the males tales are longer and thicker and are normally carried upwards and towards one side, while the females usually have a shorter and stubby tail which points straight down. The plastron of the male is concave whereas the females is flat If you are thinking of buying a Spur Thigh Tortoise, please ring us here at Appleton Exotics for more information, but here are a few details, their diet is herbivarous, and care must be taken that there is a good mixture of food given as well as a vitamin and mineral supplement, so giving a well balanced intake . Tortoises rely on an external heat source ( the sun ) to raise their body temperature sufficiently this is needed so they can feed, digest their food and be alert, tortoises are inactive in cold weather. A good habitat is required for indoors fitted with heat lamps for colder summer days,please ring Appleton Exotics, wigans premier pet shop, for advice on a good substrate for your tortoises habitat as there are quite a few items which shouldnt be used.
