New Species Alert: Tiny Egyptian Tortoises!

Keepers are delighted to announce the arrival of a new species to the Park, two Egyptian tortoises named Simon and Theodore!

The adorable pair of 21-year-old tortoises have settled into their new custom-built enclosure in the Dissscovery Zone.

Egyptian tortoises are known for being particularly tiny - in fact, they are the smallest species of tortoise found in the Northern Hemisphere, with a full grown adult weighing up to 354g! Once found in Egypt and Libya, these little creatures love desert conditions and can often be seen resting in the heat of their enclosure.

This tiny pair were hatched in Bristol Zoo, and have moved to Woburn as a key ambassador species – raising awareness about the number of threats their dwindling wild populations face.

Visitors may notice Simon and Theodore’s unique pale colouring, which is a natural adaptation the Egyptian tortoise has evolved across thousands of years of survival in the hot desert climate - helping them keep out of sight and hidden from predators.

You can tell the pair apart by their slightly different appearances - Theodore has a lighter coloured carapace (tortoise shell), while Simon is larger in size.

MOVING IN...

Simon and Theodore’s enclosure includes plenty of sand to burrow in, heat lamps to replicate the temperatures of the desert and plenty of shrubs and vegetation to explore!

Keeper Lily told us how important it is that their enclosure is kept as close to their natural environment as possible: ‘Naturally in the wild they would only really come out in the early mornings or later in the evening, when it’s a little bit cooler.

We try to replicate these temperatures using their heat and UV lamps, so they can go and bask in the heat, they burrow and hide for a little nap – which replicates the sun in the desert in the wild’.

Egyptian tortoise populations have been devastated by habitat loss and capture for the pet trade. These tortoises are included in CITES Appendix I, which means that any international trade in the species or its parts is illegal.

They are also ‘Critically Endangered’ according the IUCN Red List.

It is hoped that these tiny creatures will make a big impact on visitors who want to learn about this fascinating species, as the duo will feature in keeper talks and demonstrations to help highlight the threats Egyptian tortoises face.

Give little Simon and Theodore a big hello!

You can spot Simon and Theodore in the Dissscovery Zone section of the Foot Safari on your next visit!