UK Breeders

This section contains a list of respected and reputable breeders of genuine UK captive bred tortoises.  All the breeders have been verified as being genuine, as dealers are strictly forbidden from advertising on this list.

Any breeders who wish to be considered for inclusion on the list, please click here to download our application form.

We hope you find your life-long companion.

What to Expect from a Good Tortoise Breeder

 

All too often, people who visit pet shops or internet tortoise dealers are ill informed as to the care requirements, sold a lot of expensive and inappropriate equipment and end up with an imported tortoise, with all the associated problems (worms, dehydration and exposure to other pathogens).

 

The purpose of the recommended breeders list is to put people in touch with genuine private breeders, who have healthy, UK bred tortoises and who will make sure that any prospective buyer is well informed before making the decision to become a tortoise owner.

 

A good breeder will:-

 

1         be happy to confirm that they have bred the tortoises themselves

 

2        be happy to answer all your questions, and make sure you are aware of the care requirements before you commit to a tortoise.

 

3        want to check that you are able to provide a loving and permanent home for the tortoise

 

4        able to advise you on the housing you will need to provide – i.e. indoor tortoise table, UVB and basking light, secure outdoor accommodation

 

5        be able to advise you on feeding matters – i.e. weeds and wild flowers and correct supplementation

 

6        not let you collect the tortoise unless you have the accommodation fully set up, and is happy to keep the tortoise for you until you have everything in place

 

7        require you to collect the tortoise, or arrange to deliver it in person/meet you half way.  Anyone who offers to send a tortoise via commercial courier/through the post is not a genuine breeder.

 

8        provide you with full care sheets regarding day to day, and also longer term care

 

9        be available for any worries or problems you may have with the tortoise in the future

 

10    provide you with the correct Article 10 documentation, as required by DEFRA.  The more commonly encountered tortoises this applies to are:

 

Ø      Hermanns tortoise (testudo hermanni)

Ø      Spur thigh tortoises, graeca and ibera (testudo graeca graeca and testudo graeca ibera)

Ø      Marginated (testudo marginata)

Ø      Pancake tortoise (malacochersus tornieri)

Ø      Tunisian  tortoise (furculachelys nabeulensis)

Ø      Egyptian tortoise (testudo kleinmanni)

 

A genuine breeder will be happy to supply you with photos of their set ups etc, but they may not allow you to visit their home to see in person.  Unfortunately, tortoise thefts have been on the increase over the last few years, and many tortoise owners are concerned about the security of their animals.

 

Tortoise Protection Group recommended UK tortoise breeders 

 

We have vetted our breeder list very carefully, but if you do come across a breeder who does not meet the standards set out in this document – i.e. recommends a vivarium (glass tank), seems in a hurry for you to collect the tortoise, if box 10 of the Article 10 document shows any country other than UK as the country of origin, or if you have any other concerns please contact us.

 

If you wish to be considered to be added to our breeders list please download and complete our breeders application form.