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Elongated tortoise
This species of tortoise is sometimes referred to as “Yellow headed tortoises” or simply the “Yellow tortoise”. In the linguistics of science, it is known as “Indotestudo elongata,” due to its charming, and fascinating appearance, it is famous in the world of the best family pets. These tortoises can easily be recognized by their elongated shells. They are spread across a vast range that included Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and many more. However, this species is currently enlisted as an endangered species.
The fact behind its name
These tortoises were named yellow tortoises by the People of Asia. It was named so, because of their shells which are beautifully filled with yellow color. Their shell is made up of a pale tannish-yellow color, it may turn to caramel color with age.
Elongated tortoise classification
Let’s have a look at its classification:
| Scientific Name | Indotestudo elongata |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Testudines |
| Suborder | Cryptodira |
| Superfamily | Testudinoidea |
| Family | Testudinidae |
| Genus | Indotestudo |
| Species | I. elongata |
| Diet | Herbivores |
| Lifespan | 40+ years |
| Weight | 3.5 kg |
| Incubation period | 98 to 134 days. |
| Trophic level | Herbivores |
| Length | 30 cm |
Elongated tortoise physical appearance
These tortoises have got extremely beautiful physical appearance. Believe me! If you have ever seen this tortoise, you must have an idea of how beautifully its skin is polished with yellow color fillings. Over each scute, there lies visible black spots. Around each scute, there are orangish to dusky brownish colored lines lined across the shape of the scute. There are significant differences between the two sexes. Mostly, the male tortoise has a thick, and long-tail which is not the same as a female tortoise. When you see male & female tortoises side by side, you will notice female tortoises have a bit rounder shape of the plastron.
Elongated tortoise size
These tortoises are not seen to have a massive size but have a sort of medium-sized body that amplifies its beauty in the eyes of a pet-owner. How big do Elongated tortoises get? Generally speaking, on average these tortoises are roughly grown to 12 inches. However, females tend to be larger, and wider than the males, and are likely to have a bigger size.
Elongated tortoise weight
On average, these tortoises can weigh up to 7 pounds that make up 3.5 kg. Born hatchlings even weigh less than this. Their weight is highly dependent on the freshness of vegetables they feed on.
Elongated tortoise diet
Like all other tortoises, this tortoise is herbivorous in nature. Elongated tortoise food consists of grasses, fruits, vegetables, shrubs, shredded carrots, sweet potato, zucchini, leafy greens, dandelions, flowers, green beans, squash, etc. Sometimes, they also feed on insects, and animal matter. If you are deciding to own this pet and have no idea about how you can maintain their diet, don’t you worry! Just follow the steps I am just going to mention!
Elongated tortoise lifespan
Tortoises are popular for their long-lived phenomena awarded by nature. So, How long do Elongated tortoises live? Like all other tortoises, they are also long-lived. According to records, these tortoises can live up to 40 years and more. Unfortunately, these tortoises are facing a decline in population due to life-taker factors. Let’s dig into them!
Population threat
They are currently enrolled as threatened species. But this is not new news to listen. If you are an animal’s content reader, you must have an idea, how each animal in the wild is facing threats. However, major population threats for this species include illegal pet trade, habitat destruction, deforestations, and road kills. However, several breeding programs are working on it in order to increase its population.
Predators
These tortoises cover their heads, and legs inside their shells when they are afraid of predators. Major predators include crocodilians, wild cats, dogs, and jaguars. Born hatchlings are more vulnerable to these predators.
Elongated tortoise habitat
As I said earlier, these tortoises are not stuck to a single place rather scattered across a variety of ranges. Most of these tortoises are native to tropical regions of southeast Asia. Throughout their habitat, most of them are found in warm areas of tropical forests. Most of the daytime they stay hidden under the leaf litter as they avoid strong sunlight, and thus comes out of the piles of leaves at night when they are hungry. These tortoises are observed to be most active during the early part of the rainy season
Do Elongated tortoises hibernate?
According to research by different biologists, and pet owners, these tortoises do not hibernate, thus, stay active throughout the year. Thus, making the best pets for those who want interaction the whole year.
Elongated tortoise mating
One fun fact about this tortoise is that mating does not depend on the season. Thus, mates throughout the year. Most of the breeding is observed in summer and fall. Another interesting fact, when these tortoises are about to mate, noise, and eye areas in both sexes turns to a reddish-pink hue. Male follows female for several hours until the mating is done. In mating, males are seen to be more aggressive than otherwise.
Incubation period
At the end of the year, during the months of November, and December, eggs are laid. Before the eggs are laid, the mother tortoise digs a nest about 4 inches deep. Females can use the same nest in the next clutch. For how many days the incubation period lasts, it totally depends on the temperature at which they are being incubated. Generally, at the temperature of 80 to 85 F, the incubation period lasts 98 to 134 days.
Elongated tortoise baby
Per clutch, usually, 5 to 9 eggs are laid and incubated. After the incubation period is successfully completed, babies come out of their shells. Babies are most vulnerable to wild cats, and dogs. Born hatchlings at the age of 7 to 9 years become mature and start laying down eggs.
Elongated tortoise as pets
Selecting a wonderful pet is as difficult as for a girl to select a dress for a particular occasion. Yeah! now you can interpret how difficult this decision is. Are Elongated tortoises’ good pets? These tortoises are not aggressive at all in normal days, their behavior while mating is another situation. Honestly! These tortoises are really cute, adorable, and shy. If you properly take care of them, they will make a wonderful pet, and you won’t regret it. So, if you are thinking of owning it as a pet, stop thinking, and go for it.
Elongated tortoise price
Mostly, tortoises are costly, but this one is affordable for every pet-owner who has a desire to own a pet. They are sold at a price starting from $224, and their prices can rise to $849. Usually, hatchlings are sold at lower prices, and adults are sold at higher prices, and sexually matured female tortoise is even sold at a higher price.
Elongated tortoise care
Some pets are easy to care for, and some are not. In both cases, the common word is “care.” Taking proper care of your tortoise demands attention and time. Before you own a pet, you should be fully committed to it, especially, when it comes to buying a tortoise, because they can live longer even than you. So, the question is How do you take care of elongated tortoise? Following tips and tricks are mentioned below:
Elongated tortoise enclosure
Depending on the season, you can decide on what enclosure to go for whether indoor or outdoor. In summer, outdoor enclosures. best fits the purpose. Outdoor enclosures are what the tortoises enjoy the most to live in. Your outdoor enclosure should have trees, plants, sand, and soil. It helps the tortoises to absorb direct UVB radiations. You must ensure that the outdoor enclosure is safe from any predator.
Indoor enclosures are best for winter seasons. It could be a plastic tub or stock tank. A 6 to 8-foot-long enclosure would be enough for a single adult tortoise. Inside the enclosure, a substrate made of sand, and peat moss can be placed.
Elongated tortoise temperature
The temperature of the enclosure should remain about 75 degrees, and at night it should not be less than 70 degrees. To maintain the humidity level, a basking spot of 85 to 90 degrees should be placed at one corner of the enclosure. You should keep on checking the temperature of the enclosure using a temperature-checking gauge. To maintain the balance of calcium, UVB rays should be provided to them. For this purpose, any fluorescent bulb could be used.
Elongated tortoise facts
- These tortoises are friendlier in nature, and it’s much fun to watch them.
- They come near close to anyone with food.
- They can recognize its owner by a head rub, as its shell is very sensitive to touch.
- These tortoises should be kept hydrated daily for 15 minutes by soaking them in a bowl with water at room temperature.
- Their normal Humidity level ranges in between 60% and 80%.
- While kept in captivity, they require natural sunlight to maintain the level of calcium.
What to feed your Elongated tortoise?
Feeding your pet tortoise is as important, and complex, as u plan for you, own dinner. So how do we plan for our dinner? Obviously! We cook our favorite dishes if it’s a Friday dinner party. Same as that, you as a pet owner plans on your tortoise food by adding those components you tortoise likes the most. Here is the recipe! Take a bowl, and starts adding parsley, mustard greens, kale, turnip greens, yams, pumpkin, a little of snails, and lastly, sprinkle the food with vitamin and calcium d3 supplements. Yay! Food is ready to serve!
