With the right advice, good tortoise care is easy and enjoyable when keeping these fascinating exotic pets.
Whether you own tortoises now, care for them for the first time, or want to adopt one, you must know their needs.
Tortoises require long-term commitment, as they can live for decades. Providing the right tortoise care from day one supports long-term health and helps you share many happy years together. Tortoises in captivity depend on correct environments, including a suitable tortoise table, appropriate heating and lighting, and maintaining a stable body temperature.
Using the right heating sources such as a heat lamp, along with UVB lighting, is essential for your tortoise’s wellbeing.
Without this, tortoises can develop serious health problems such as metabolic bone disease. Regular health checks are key to preventing issues and ensuring your tortoise remains healthy.
At the Sussex Chelonian Society, we support tortoise owners across Sussex. We offer expert advice, access to tortoise clinics, and support at every stage.
Health Clinics
Our regular tortoise clinics in Sussex run on the first Sunday of each month. They support your tortoise’s health and wellbeing. These clinics are ideal for tortoise owners looking for reassurance, advice, and preventative care.
Services available at our tortoise clinics include:
- Full tortoise health check
- Worming treatments
- Tortoise microchipping
- Sexing
- Identification of species
- Nail and beak trimming
We also offer tortoise pre hibernation checks to ensure your pet is fit to hibernate. Our team provides guidance on tortoise hibernation.
We explain how to hibernate your tortoise safely. We also cover care during hibernation. We explain what to monitor after hibernation.
Attending our clinics regularly helps identify potential health problems early and supports responsible tortoise care.
These sessions are also a great chance to join a tortoise group, meet other tortoise owners, and share experiences in Sussex.
Upcoming Clinics
Our upcoming clinics will be running on the dates shown here.
Please always check here closer to time in case we have had to change any.
CLINICS RUN FROM 10-12 BUT PLEASE BOOK IN BY 11
Clinics of 2026
7th June
5th July
2nd August
6th September
4th October
1st November
No clinic December
Frequent Clinics
We run monthly tortoise clinics offering ongoing support, including tortoise health checks, tortoise microchipping, and tortoise pre hibernation checks. These clinics help ensure your tortoise remains in good condition throughout the year.
Helpful Literature
Members get helpful tortoise care leaflets on key topics. These include hibernation, heating and lighting setups, and proper care in captivity.
Associates’ Magazine
Our regular newsletter shares stories from other tortoise owners, expert advice, and updates from Sussex. It helps you stay informed and confident when caring for your tortoise.
Tortoise Rehoming
If your situation changes and you need help rehoming a tortoise, we can help. We provide a responsible service to match tortoises with suitable new homes.
Tortoise Adoption
If you have wanted to adopt a tortoise, you can join our adoption list. Whether you are looking for your first pet or adding to your group, we are here to support you.
Contact Us
Enter your name and email address to receive more information about membership to the Sussex Chelonian Society.
Or click one of the links below to contact us today.
Email: sussexcheloniansociety@gmail.com
PO Box 3115,
Lancing,
BN15 5BX
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