Turtle expert Thorsten Geier aims to inspire turtle enthusiasts to adopt a naturalistic approach to keeping these special animals. Drawing on nearly 20 years of solid experience with European tortoises, he offers a wealth of practical advice and insights. He argues that these animals should not be confined to a life in a terrarium, using nature as a model. His guide contains over 180 pages of detailed suggestions for a naturalistic habitat. Thorsten Geier explains how to design outdoor enclosures and presents suitable as well as less suitable food plants. Other topics include optimal nutrition, care for hatchlings and juveniles, hibernation, animal health, successful breeding, species protection, as well as common misconceptions in tortoise keeping, among many others.