Ozark Exotics

That face says the prickly pear was worth the mess. 🌵🐢😂

I like turtles. 🐢 What else can I say? 🤷‍♂️

Hit ❤️ and follow if you can relate.

This one is going to be hard to say goodbye to. 🐢🧡

Absolutely stunning young male three-toed box turtle, with some of the richest reddish-brown color and pattern we’ve produced. He’ll be heading off to his new home Monday, and we’re definitely going to miss seeing this one around.

Some turtles just stand out. This is one of them. ❤️

Meet one of the most underrated tortoises in the hobby… 👀🐢🔥

Russian and Hermann’s tortoises tend to get most of the Testudo spotlight—but there’s another member of the genus that deserves WAY more attention.

The Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata)! 🇬🇷🐢

These guys are easily my favorite Testudo, and for good reason. As they mature, the rear of the shell develops that incredible flared “skirt” that gives the species its name. Combine that unmistakable shape with their bold black-and-cream coloration, and you have one seriously striking tortoise. 🤩🔥

But it’s their personality that really seals the deal. ❤️

Marginateds are incredibly curious, alert, intelligent, and personable. 🧠🐢 They learn routines quickly, investigate anything new, and always seem interested in what’s happening around them. They’re confident, interactive tortoises with a TON of personality!

They’re also an excellent choice for someone new to tortoise keeping. 🙌 Their care is relatively straightforward, they’re hardy when provided with the proper environment, and their primarily herbivorous diet can be built around grasses, weeds, leafy greens, and other high-fiber plants. 🌿☀️ Add in that outgoing personality, and they’re an incredibly rewarding species for both new and experienced keepers.

They’re also the largest of the Testudo, growing substantially bigger than the Russians and Hermann’s most keepers are familiar with. 💪🐢

Beautiful. Intelligent. Curious. Friendly. And somehow still criminally underrepresented in the hobby. 🤯

Marginated tortoises deserve their turn in the spotlight! 🔦🐢🔥

📚 Want to learn more?? Check out our article on Marginated tortoises—link below! 👇

🐢 Ozark Exotics at Reptilandia!!! 🐊

We had an incredible time exploring Reptilandia in Johnson City, Texas—and as you might expect, we spent a lot of time with the turtles and tortoises.

The diversity was seriously impressive. Sulawesi forest turtles, stunning radiated tortoises, massive Galápagos tortoises and so many other species we rarely get the opportunity to see up close. For turtle people like us, this place was hard to beat. 🐢

And Reptilandia certainly isn’t just chelonians. The exhibits are packed with incredible lizards, snakes, crocodilians and other reptiles from around the world. 🦎🐍🐊

If you’re anywhere near the Texas Hill Country and love reptiles, Reptilandia is absolutely worth the trip. We were blown away by the collection and had a fantastic experience.

And we saved one of the best parts for video… 👀

🎥 Coming soon: our experience feeding the Galápagos tortoises! 🐢🌵