Turtle and Tortoise Books

Size: 98 pages

Sulcatas African Spurred Tortoises in Captivity. The African Spurred Tortoise, Geochelone sulcata, is one of the most popular tortoise pets. Despite their ultimately very large size these animals can inspire individual keepers and entire families. As with all reptiles these animals have specific needs regarding housing and nutrition. Russ Gurley the director of the Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group offers his expertise to readers in a very accessible format. This updated version also offers detailed information of Redfoot, Yellowfoot, Leopard and Russian Tortoises.

Size: 78 pages

AVS The Box Turtle Manual. Box turtles are among the most beautiful and interesting turtles around. in order to fair well in captivity, these turtles must receive the proper care and maintenance. This revised and updated Box Turtle Manual is the most complete guide available to help ensure that you have the most up-to-date information on caring for your turtle. Some of the essential information included is on choosing, feeding, housing, breeding, and health care. There are also special sections on the Maylan Box Turtle and the Chinese Box Turtle.

The highly acclaimed Advanced Vivarium Systems TM books, founded and guided by herpetocultural pioneer Philippe de Vosjoli, are the #1 books on reptile care. From choosing a pet and selecting a veterinarian to feeding, housing, breeding, and more, these books deliver the most helpful and up-to-date information available on popular reptiles and amphibians kept as pets.

Size: 64 pages

Here are detailed instructions on turtle care, safe handling, feeding, health care, and general maintenance. Books in the Complete Pet Owner's Manuals series present basic information for new or soon-to-be owners. Advice and instruction covers feeding, housing, health care, training, grooming, and much more. This book emphasize turtle care basics and is easy for all readers to understand. All books in this series are filled with high quality full-color photos and instructive line drawings

Size: 135 pages - Hardback

Central and South American turtles, including the impressive Galapagos tortoises as well as the various genera of the family Chelidae, are covered in this third volume of TERRALOG.

It serves as supplement to volume two by presenting the remaining members of the genera Chelydra, Kinosternon, Rhinoclemmys, Terrapene, and Trachemys.

Where possible, more than one individual is shown, as well as photos of their habitat, sexual dimorphism, peculiarities of the carapace and plastron, mating, oviposition, hatching, and juveniles. Descriptive symbols of their captive needs appear for each species.

With 500 color photographs and color distribution maps for all species, this volume of TERRALOG is a unique reference for everyone, from the hobbyist to the scientist. It presents a fascinating insight into the amazing diversity of Central and South American turtles and tortoises. Hardcover and 128 pages.

Size: 297 pages

Freshwater Turtles is a large format soft cover book with nearly 300 hundred pages of exquisitely written and accurate information on nearly every species of freshwater turtle on earth. Russ Gurley is the director of the Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group. This organization is fighting hard everyday to educate the public about turtle and tortoise husbandry as well as conservation.

If you own only one book on aquatic turtles, then this is the one to have. The information included for each species covers everything from natural history, adult size, diet, captive care considerations, and breeding.

Highlights include the section on the red eared sliders and the North American box turtles. Both of these species have long been staples in the pet trade, and represent some of the most incorrectly cared for reptiles. The data provided is thorough but concise. The reader will not have to wade through dozens of pages. Instead the author has condensed all of the vital info into a few well presented pages. I found the information on box turtle hibernation to be especially good, as this is an often misunderstood aspect of reptile care.

In addition to the species specific information, there are general chapters on feeding herbivorous, omnivorous, and carnivorous turtles in all stages of life from hatchling through adulthood. Other chapters cover water quality, filtration, breeding, enclosure design, lighting, and health.

The chapters on filtration and enclosure design are very detailed and include many examples of turtle homes you can create yourself. Everything from small aquariums and tubs to elaborate outdoor ponds are covered. The health chapter is also very informative. Mr. Gurley has done much of the leg work for the reader, so that they can easily identify and treat a variety of common turtle maladies. Recommended medications and dosages are given, but most drugs mentioned in the text will require a prescription from a vet.

Overall, Keeping and Breeding Aquatic Turtles is an exceptional text, that is not only informative and well-written, but also easy to read and reference. This book gets my highest recommendation for turtle fans of all levels.

Size: 209 pages

By John Van Denburgh - 205 photos and tons of great info

Size: 48 pages

Aquatic turtles are available to collectors and breeders in more than 20 different species. This guide offers sound advice on the maintenance and care of all of them. Titles in this series present basic information on reptiles plus specific instructions for their care. Each book opens with a description of the animal as it exists in its natural habitat, then continues with information on its life cycle and distribution in nature. Readers then get advice on selecting a good specimen, determining sex, and providing proper housing, feeding, and health care. Books are heavily illustrated with instructive color photos.

Size: 325 Pages

By Holger Vetter

Size: 114 pages

Star Tortoises, The Natural History, Captive Care, and Breeding of Geochelone elegans and Geochelone platynota, by Jerry D. Fife.

Turtles of the World Series, Testudinae, Number 10

Size: 270 pages

By Manfred Rogner. Hard back.

This package is ideal for all tortoise lovers! It includes Popular Tortoises, Leopard & African Spurred Tortoises, Turtles & Tortoises - A Complete Pet Owners Manual AND Gigantic Land Tortoises Of Galapagos Archipelago! It is a great addition to any tortoise lover's library, and makes a great gift too!

The North American Wood Turtle is a rare and unique turtle that exhibits an incredible personality. It is by far one of the more personable turtles that exists on Earth.

It roams the north eastern part of the North America from southern Nova Scotia in Canada south to northern Virginia then northwest to eastern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa all the way up to southern Quebec. Wood Turtles are still quite abundant in their range but as more and more of their habitat is disrupted and fragmented, there is a good chance that they will soon start to disappear.

This book will introduce you to “Old Red Legs”, the North American Wood Turtle. Included are looks into their lives in nature and proper care in captivity, including tips on sexing, breeding, and raising hatchlings of these wonderful turtles.

Size: 64 pages

The Matamata is truly one of the world's most unusual turtles! This large South American species is a wonder to observe . . . its primarily sedentary lifestyle and bizarre appearance make it ideal for a fascinating display.

The Matamata (Chelus fimbriatus) inhabits northern and central South America, and has long been a favorite of turtle hobbyists, as well as zoological institutions. Its bizarre appearance and unique ability to "suck" or "vacuum" fish into its huge mouth and throat with amazing accuracy and speed is one of the best displays in the herp world.

Over the past several decades, David Fogel has maintained dozens of species of chelonians. Although subtle, he believes the Matamata may be the most intelligent, perceptive, and aware of its surroundings. With the exception of its incredible, explosive feeding ability, one may erroneously assume the Matamata is sluggish, and unperceptive. In reality, this species seems to constantly be on alert. He obtained his first two Matamata as hatchlings in 1979, and immediately became an admirer of the species.

This book in the TURTLES OF THE WORLD series will present readers with a look at the life of this amazing turtle in nature and in captivity. Enclosure designs, filtration details, and specific captive care requirements are included

Size: 408 pages. softback

This incredible 408 page softback book is really a "must have" for every turtle keeper. It is packed full of important, current information. HEALTH CARE & REHABILITATION of TURTLES and TORTOISES has hundreds of color photos and is overflowing with information on every aspect of keeping captive chelonians healthy and responding to injuries, accidents, health issues, nutrition issues, and what to do if you find an injured turtle or tortoise.

Size: 100 pages

The tortoises of the Mediterranean and Eurasia include five groups: Greek tortoises, Hermann’s tortoises, Marginated tortoises, Egyptian tortoises, and Russian tortoises.

This book will discuss the captive care and breeding of Russian tortoises, but the care of most of the Mediterranean species is very similar.

Russian tortoises are quite personable, have a long history in the pet trade, and have been exported to the United States, Europe, and Asia for many years. In fact, Russian tortoises continue to be among the most common species imported into the United States. Unlike African Spurred tortoises and Leopard tortoises, which grow large, Russian tortoises are relatively small and are much easier to feed and care for than their larger cousins.

In this new book, expert tortoise breeder Jerry Fife presents insights into the captive care and breeding of Russian tortoises, with a look at the other species of Mediterranean tortoises. This book contains detailed information on indoor and outdoor enclosures, proper feeding and nutrition, breeding, egg incubation, care of young tortoises, and health information for all levels of keepers.

Size: 192 pages. Softback

This full colour, 192 page book provides detailed information on all aspects of captive husbandry relating to the most commonly kept species of Australian turtles. Over 300 full colour images support General Husbandry information including pet qualities, handling methods, Housing including indoor and outdoor set-ups, water requirements, heating and lighting, Feeding and Breeding, including Artificial Incubation. An essential overview of Health and Diseases is presented by Dr Robert Johnson BVSc MACVSc (Feline Medicine) CertZooMed BA Grad Dip Asian Studies CMAVA. Individual species chapters profile 31 species-the Eastern Long-necked, Rankin's, Cann's, Steindachner's, Oblong, Northern Long-necked, Arnhem Land Long-necked, Broad-shelled, Macquarie River, Brisbane River, Clarence River, Emmott's, Fraser Island Short-necked, Hunter River, Krefft's, Macleay River, Sydney Basin, North-western Red-faced, Victoria River, Northern Yellow-faced, Jardine River, Worrell's, Southern Snapping, Northern Snapping, Irwin's, Bell's, Saw-shelled, Southern Saw-shelled or Dorse's, Fitzroy River, Mary River and Pig-nosed Turtles. Within each species chapter, information is presented on Description, In the Wild, Housing, Diet, Breeding, Ease of Keeping, and Availability and Distribution Maps. The book is completed with a Glossary, Herpetological Societies, Wildlife Societies and References