15 Best Pet Tortoise Types For Beginners

Appearance: Russian tortoises are small creatures that are known for their manageable size. They have olive green, black, and brown shells with intricate patterns. 

They also have four sharp claws on each floor that help them burrow in the substrate and climb on rocks.

Behavior: They are curious animals that love to explore their environment. These tortoises also burrow to escape from extreme temperatures.

They sleep during the colder months and slow down their activities during this period. They love their own companies and may show territorial behavior.

Diet: These species should be fed greens, edible flowers, and non-toxic plants.

Appearance: These tortoises have dome shells with yellow and brown or black patterns. They have small heads and yellow or light brown faces. 

Hermanns have strong legs with large scales and their front legs have thick clawed toes.

Behavior: They are most active during the day and spend time relaxing in the sun. These tortoises are also known to dig for shelter in hot temperatures.

They can be territorial and show dominant behavior. Their gentle and calm nature makes them popular as pets.

Diet: Their diet consists of food like greens and edible flowers. You can also dust calcium supplements on their food.

Appearance: These tortoises have a high dome with a yellow to light brown base color. It also consists of irregular lines on their scutes.

They have small round heads and strong legs covered in thick scaly skin. Greek tortoises also have short tails with small pointed scales at the tip.

Behavior: They are active during the day and spend time relaxing in the sun in the morning. Greek tortoises are known to hide and escape from extreme heat or cold by digging burrows. 

They are shy animals that may also hide in their shells if threatened.

Appearance: The red-footed tortoise has a unique high-domed shell with a black or dark brown base. They have a short broad head that has small eyes.

They also have legs with large scales and forelimbs for digging.

Behavior: They are social animals that can live with other tortoises and are active during the day. These tortoises also enjoy exploring food and may hide to escape the heat.

Diet: These tortoises are very particular about their diet. They eat grass and fruits like papaya and mango.

Appearance: They have a smooth dark brown shell with yellow margins. Their heads are relatively small and have a yellowish beak.

These tortoises also have strong limbs that are covered in large rounded scales.

Behavior: They show antisocial behavior but can live with other tortoises if provided with enough space. These tortoises are active during the daytime and engage in relaxing and searching for food.

They sleep during the cold months when they are in the wild.

Appearance: It is one of the largest tortoises that has a dome shell with markings. They have large heads with blunt snouts and small eyes. 

The limbs of Sulcata tortoises are strong and their legs support their heavy bodies.

Behavior: These tortoises love their own company. They are active during the day and spend time relaxing and searching for food.

Burrowing is another well-known behavior of these tortoises to escape from heat.

Diet: They feed on food such as hay, leafy greens, and occasional safe fruits. Make sure not to give them high-protein foods.

Appearance: Indian Star tortoises have a high shell that radiates like a star in yellow color. The shell has a pale yellow underside with patterns.

They have small heads with dark markings and strong limbs covered with rough scales. 

Behavior: These tortoises are active during the day and rest during the hot time. They are shy and enjoy their own company. 

However, they can coexist with other pets if kept in a large tank. Indian star tortoises also become less active during cool climates. 

Diet: Their diet consists of food like mustard, squash, and occasional fruits. Make sure not to feed them high-protein foods and fruits.

Appearance: They are one of the largest species that have high shells covered with yellow or tan background. The shells of a Leopard tortoise also have black spots and streaks that look like a leopard's pattern.

Their heads are large and yellow in color with a blunt snout. Their strong limbs have well-developed claws for digging and walking. 

Behavior: They are shy species that prefer to enjoy their own company. They are active during the day when the temperature is moderate. 

These species also dig burrows to escape heat or cold.

Diet: You can give them foods like grass hay, dandelion, and occasional vegetables. Providing calcium supplements for a healthy shell will also be helpful.

Appearance: Ornate Boxes are small to medium-sized turtles that have high-domed shells with complex linings. These markings on the shell give them a decorative and attractive appearance.

They have small heads covered with yellow or white markings. Their limbs are covered with scales and have claws for digging.

Behavior: These tortoises are known for burrowing to escape heat or cold. They are defensive when threatened and can hide in their shells. 

These also sleep in burrows or under leaf litter during the winter months.

Diet: Orantes eat both plant and animal matter. You can give them insects, greens, fruits, and proteins like cooked chicken.

Appearance: They are small species with flat, flexible, and thin shells that look like pancakes. Their shells have holes which makes them lightweight and agile. It also allows them to quickly run from any danger.

They have small and pointed heads with smooth faces. Their legs are long and their claws are strong for climbing rocky surfaces.

Behavior: Pancake tortoises are good climbers who are known for their quickness. They spend most of their time hiding and come out to search for food.

Diet: Their diet mostly consists of dry grasses and fruits. They may even eat succulents like aloe.

Appearance: It is one of the smallest tortoise species that has a pale yellow shell. They have small and pale heads with strong limbs. Their limbs have sharp claws for digging.

Behavior: They are active tortoises that burrow to avoid extreme heat temperatures. Egyptian tortoises become inactive during cold climates and enjoy their own company.

Diet: They eat grasses and greens like mustard and collards.

Appearance: These larger tortoise species have high shells with yellow or orange centers. Their heads are large and have dark markings. The limbs of these tortoises are dark with yellow scales.

Behavior: They are active during the day and are social animals. They love to be in the water and enjoy a humid environment. 

Diet: They are easy to feed and eat a mix of plant and animal matter.

Appearance: They are medium-sized animals that have long and narrow shells with dark or light markings. Their heads are small with dark spots on the top.

These tortoises have strong legs with well-developed claws for digging.

Behavior: Elongated tortoises are active during the day and show shy behavior. They are known to hide under leaves or burrows. 

These animals love searching for food and being in the water.

Appearance: They are medium to large tortoises that have high shells covered with star patterns. They have small heads that are yellow to brown in color.

Their legs are strong and have claws for digging.

Behavior: They are shy animals that hide under burrows and are active during the day. They are calm and gentle animals that are seen searching for food.

Diet: They eat plants and vegetables like dandelion, carrots, and bell peppers.

Appearance: They are medium tortoises that have high shells with striking patterns. Their heads are small and have yellow coloration. Their legs are strong and have claws for digging.

Behavior: These tortoises are active during the day and are curious animals. They love searching for food and digs burrows to escape the heat.

Diet: They eat food like papaya, carrots, and watermelon.