Can anyone recommend a good tortoise book? I have been looking around as I work in a book shop but cant seem to find a nice book on tortoises! I'd preferably like a factual book with lots of nice big pictures like a dorling kindersley or a collins or something like that, but I dont think it exists! Failing that any book that someone could recommend would be great, Its hard to even find a book with just tortoises, I bought one a few weeks ago with turtles tortoises and terappins but theres hardly anything about tortoises in it!

If anyone could recommend anything that would be great!

Charlotte

My fav books are

1. Tortoises and Turtles of the World by David Alderton (Blandford Press 1988). Might be out of print but worth looking for a second hand one.

2. Hermann's Tortoise.  Holger Vetter. Chelonian Library vol 2.                           Pub Andreas S Brahm. 2006.  About Hermanns, this is one for those of us who are very keen on this species.

3. Turtles and Tortoises. Bartlett and Bartlett. Pub Barron's 2006.  This is a cheap (£7) general book with nice photos.  Some of the care tips are dodgy. But its cheerful and wide ranging,  more turt than tort.

I'd love to hear what others have on their bookshelf!
Jonathan

Thankyou! The one about Hermann's specifically sounds good so I'll keep an eye out for that one! I'm looking for ones that are more tort that turt but it seems to be quite a challenge! so far I have the one I mentioned in another post:

Pet Owner's Guide to the Tortoise by Simon J Girling-Most of the information seems correct so far!

and

Survivors in Armour Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins by Ronald Orenstein-There are some nice pics but hardly anything on torts at all!

Managed to get Tortoise and Turtles of the World for £2.76 including postage from amazon! However the cheapest I've found the Hermanns's one for is £40 including postage from america, I'm still tempted to get it tho!

Hi Charlotte,

One book that would cover all aspects of tortoise care is "The Tortoise Trust Guide to Tortoises & Turtles, their Care and Maintenance in Captivity" by Andy Highfield.

Ali

Hi, the Holger Vetter book is really good but is very detailed and not light reading. If you are keen on Hermanns I'd recommend it.  It is expsensive but there is a lot to read in it. 

I think i may have to buy it, thanks for the recommendation!

I'd go with Alis recommendation of any book by Andy Highfield......really you can't go wrong and you know your getting the right information.

Jo

I was looking for more of a natural history book on tortoises really, however I have looked into getting that book before but I don't think its in print anymore, might still be available on amazon tho!

I think Andy's book is an essential for husbandry and care information.

The Holger Vetter book is good if you want to know all you can about Hermanns specifically. 

We have the beginnings of a book list in the Library Reference section of the Web site.  I haven't published it yet as I need more titles.  This is as it stands and it is very poor so far so if anyone would supply me with full references for books they recommend I will make sure I add them. 

Branch, Bill (2008) Tortoises, Terrapins and Turtles of Africa. New Holland Publishing.  Cape Town.  ISBN 978 1 77007 463 7

Highfield A.C. (2002) Practical Encyclopaedia of Keeping & Breeding Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles. Carapace Press. London. ISBN 1-873943-06-7   (The updated new version of this is about to be published)

Klingenberg R.J. (1993) Understanding Reptile Parasites - A Basic Manual for Herpetoculturists and Veterinarians. Advanced Vivarium Systems Lakeside, CA. ISBN 1-882770-21-8

McArthur S., Wilkinson R. & Meyer J. (2004)  Medicine and Surgery of Tortoises and Turtles.  Blackwell Publishing.  Oxford.  ISBN 1-4051-0889-4

Many thanks - in anticipation

Helen

Oooooooooo Helen. I will be buying a copy of this when it is published. I have been looking for a book on Horsfield tortoises but one which covers all species will be more interesting. Let me know when it is published.

Joanne xx

Vetter, Holger (2006) Hermann's Tortoise - Testudo Boettgei, hecegovinensis and hermanni. Chelonian Library. Edition Chimaira. Frankfurt am Main

ISBN 3-89973-602-8

Jonathan

Many thanks Jonathan

I'll add this book to the library now.

Helen

Hi all

This is my first post as Ive just signed up.

Ive just bought Mediterranean Tortoises by Lance Jepson. WH Smith gave the best price and delivered for free.

Great diagrams, layout and a great index

cheers

Dave

Hi Dave, and welcome to the TPG. Lance Jepson is a highly respected Vet, and is on our recommend Vets list - http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/files/VetsOctober08.pdf (sorry but my browser doesn't let me post live links here, but you can find the list in the left-hand column of this site). I haven't read his book myself, but I would think it is excellent, and I'll check out W.H. Smith's today.

Nina