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Husbandry advice for European Tortoises

Frauke Hustinx – Tortoise Expert, Author & Publicist

In 2024, an English-language presentation on year-round technology for the care of European tortoises was held by Frauke Hustinx at the conference of the NBSV (Nederlands-Belgische Schildpadden Vereniging) in Maarn, the Netherlands.

Frauke Hustinx is a publicist, tortoise author and an experienced keeper of European tortoises for over 20 years. For many years, she has been deeply committed to international turtle conservation, the species-appropriate husbandry of tortoises, and the professional education of keepers.

Since 2024, she has served as a member of the board of the German Chelonia Group of the DGHT. Prior to this appointment, she already held the positions of PR and Social Media Manager and editor of the specialist journal RADIATA, roles she has fulfilled since 2021.

Frauke Hustinx has been providing advice on the species-appropriate care of European tortoises since 2010. In 2018, she obtained the official certificate of expertise in tortoise husbandry from Vive e.V., formally confirming her extensive specialist knowledge.

A major focus of her work is the placement and rehoming of turtles and tortoises from rescue centres. To support this, she operates a dedicated forum for turtle rescue centres, facilitating exchange, networking and cooperation with interested and experienced keepers.

A project particularly close to her heart is schildkroetensuche.org – a well-established platform throughout the German-speaking countries that uses a database to reunite lost and found tortoises, enabling animals to be returned to their keepers quickly and efficiently.

In 2024, she held the lecture “Safe Tortoise Husbandry” at the annual conference of the DGHT German Chelonia Group in Gersfeld, Germany.

In 2025, Frauke Hustinx realised four German-language charity book projects in support of schildkroetensuche.org. These include:

  • The Technology Handbook from the Modern Husbandry series.
  • The second volume, The Refrigerator Hibernation Handbook, from the Modern Husbandry series.
  • An educational children’s book.
  • The turtle colouring book, featuring short educational texts about freshwater turtles, tortoises and sea turtles.
A television documentary about one of Frauke’s workshops aired by a public broadcaster.
The Technology Handbook from the Modern Husbandry series.
The second volume from the Modern Husbandry series,
The Refrigerator Hibernation Handbook.

Frauke Hustinx is an active member and supporter of numerous national and international organisations, including:

  • DGHT
  • German Chelonia Group DGHT
  • Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA)
  • Turtle Conservancy
  • Schildkrötenhilfe-Nordbayern e.V.
  • Dutch-Belgian Tortoise Association (NBSV)
  • International Tortoise Association (ISV)
  • Vive e.V.
  • Landschildkröten-Auffangstation Kitzingen
A children’s book, designed to convey
knowledge about tortoises in a playful manner.

In addition to her international work as an author and speaker, Frauke Hustinx regularly offers live chats and webinars on species-appropriate husbandry in her Facebook group, together with her fellow administrators. By December 2025, the group had already held its 70th live chat.

Thank you to all participants who joined the 70th live chat.
Webinar about „Safe Hibernation“ at the International Turtle Association, ISV.
A turtle coloring book, introducing tortoises, freshwater and sea turtles in an age-appropriate way.

“Turtles belong to the same systematic group as the dinosaurs. Yet, despite having survived them, turtles are today among the most threatened animal groups worldwide. This should serve as a wake-up call. If we do not save them from extinction now, they will be lost forever.”

— Frauke Hustinx