This small private reptile collection at Prague is growing its tortoise section, at least according to media news, it advertises currently "almost 30 tortoise species". I´ve never visited, can´t find their current list online and ZTL is unfortunatelly not up to date. But going though their FB posts, newly acquired species or individuals in last circa 2 years include: Argentine tortoise (Chelonoidis chilensis) Radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) Brown tortoise (Manouria emys) Burmese Star tortoise (Geochelone platynota) South African bowsprit tortoise (Chersina angulata) Speckled cape tortoise (Chersobius signatus) Impressed tortoise (Manouria impressa) Cyrenaica tortoise (Testudo graeca cyrenaica) Middle Eastern spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca terrestris) Elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata) Moroccan tortoise (Testudo graeca marokkensis) Malagasy spider tortoise (Pyxis arachnoides) Serrated tortoise (Psammobates oculiferus) Beaked cape tortoise (Homopus areolatus) Speke's hingeback tortoise (Kinixys spekii) Southeastern hingeback tortoise (Kinixys zombensis) Forest hingeback tortoise (Kinixys erosa) Yellow-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulatus)
At the time I visited in 2017 it wasn't great at all, unfortunately - but there are some pretty interesting species in that list!
I´ve never visited - after I have seen pics of their very basic enclosures I ´ve decided it´s not worth my money. On the small side and very very sterile. However, their animal care seems to be ok (again, based on the few videos I have seen). They overwinter their Chinese alligators correctly, they feed their tortoises very suitable food, water quality in their basins seems very good, animals seem to be in good condition and so on. For those considering a visit, this should be current line-up: 10 species of crocodilians, 1 turtle, few boas, Fiji-leguans, Ctenosaura-leguans and tortoises. The collection is closed on Mondays. Opening hours are short on winter workdays so check beforehand. No English or Latin text on their signage. They don´t accept cards or euro currency. The collection is currently open like all other local zoos, without any covid-related checks on entrance. You just need to wear a mask indoors.
The zoo appears to have acquired Parrot-beaked tortoise (Homopus aculeatus) at some point last month - now the only collection in europe to hold the species!
New species on show (obtained last year): Boulenger's cape tortoise (Chersobius boulengeri) - 2 pairs tent tortoise (Psammobates tentorius) The tortoise collection reached 31 species.
