Origin: Egypt and North Africa stretching from Southern Israel to Libya.

Habitat: inhabits fairly arid, low humidity desert regions.

Size: females carapace ~5 inches, male ~ 4 inches; males have longer tail.

Lifespan: over 50 years in age.

Active: diurnal. If temperatures rise too much over 85-90 degrees, they become inactive.

Caging: requires a lot of space.

Temp: Daytime up to 85F, and nighttime above 70F. Above 85F they become inactive.

Lighting: UV lighting required. Basking lamp recommended.

Food: Mixed greens (kale, mustard, dandelions, etc.), weeds, succulent plants and green leaves. Mixed flowers include rose, hibiscus, bergamot petals, borage, chives, cress, dill, fennel, lavender, thyme, mints (excluding pennyroyal), oregano, sage, rosemary, safflower, sweet cicely, calendula, carnation, pansy, marigold and nasturtiums. Only feed petals because some stems and calyx can be toxic. Vegetables include grated carrots, sweet potato, broccoli, squash, green beans, canned whole kernel corn, etc., as well as rehydrated dried lentil beans. Commercial tortoise diet can also be fed. Rabbit pellets can be mixed in food to provide additional fiber. Fruit is noted to be problematic for T. Kleinmanni and should NOT be offered. Make sure all fresh greens and flowers are pesticide free. Vitamins: Calcium, cuttlefish bones, calcium carbonate BP.

Hatchlings: maintained in aquarium or large sweater box similar to adults.

Substrate: start with very slightly moist peat moss, gradually transition to dry peat moss, then dry alfalfa and dry oyster shell. (beneficial to uniform shell growth). Hatchlings fed very finely chopped food (soft or thin greens or moistened tortoise chow). As their size increases add a few larger pieces of greens.

Hibernation: NOT recommended, they do not hibernate in their natural habitat.

Temperament: Good natured and gentle. No aggression observed.

Tips: Regular worming. Regular bathing, tepid water, not too deep, at least 2 times a week. Somewhere to hide. Weekly vitamin supplements. Regular inspections of weight.

Notes: most endangered land tortoise in the Mediterranean region. CITES Appendix