TORTOISES

Just like the Freshwater Turtles, there are no Tortoises native to New Zealand, but there are a few species kept as pets here. Following is a list of Tortoises that I have personally seen in private hands in New Zealand. (Whether all of these species are still alive and kicking, I wouldn't be 100% sure of today.) There are also a lot of other species of Tortoises that are known to have been kept as pets in New Zealand. Tortoises, if well cared for, can live for over 100 years so are definitely a long term pet!

Box Turtles Terrapene spp.

Hermann's Tortoise Testudo hermanni

Spur Thighed Tortoise Testudo graeca

Malayan Box Turtle Cuora amboinensis

Yellow Headed Tortoise Indotestudo elongata

Gopher Tortoise Gopherus spp.

Leopard Tortoise Geochelone pardalis

The top three species on the above list have been successfully bred in recent years here in New Zealand by private breeders. They are however only bred in relatively small numbers and are therefore extremely hard to come by.