The German Chelonia Group (AG Schildkröten) is the largest working group in the DGHT (German Herpetological Society). Our goal is the continuous breeding of turtles and tortoises under captive conditions that closely meet their natural environment and needs. In addition, the German Chelonia Group intensively concentrates on protection of nature and species.
The exploration of the natural habitats of our animals is just as important as the investigation of increasingly more successful caring and breeding strategies is. For many of the chelonian species, there are still only sparse observations available giving information about the natural habitats. We want to contribute to this knowledge scientifically by publishing our observations on behaviour, growth and reproduction, and in this way, we will therefore be supporting species preservation.



We offer our members different possibilities to make contact with like-minded people and exchange experiences. We hold a three-day yearly meeting in the spring and several different one- or two-day regional workshops. Quarterly we publish the RADIATA, the publication of the German Chelonia Group - our readers can choose between an English and a German edition - with a total circulation of 4000 copies. Since November 2002, the members of the German Chelonia Group additionally receive our newsletter MINOR.




We keep statistics of stock and breeding, as well as a member list, where you are welcome to participate. If you are interested in a single genus or species, it is possible to join our specialist groups, the associations. Here you find also competent conversation partners if you have questions about your animals. Heed also our discussion forums for tortoises and turtles. For species that are commonly kept, we offer caring-tips that can be downloaded.

We would be pleased to welcome you as member of the German Chelonia Group.