Tortoise are truly great pets, but don't rush out and get one on the spur of the moment, because a lot of research is required.

I guess like people, different tortoises need different care.
I have 3 Hermans tortoise- mediterranean variety, but there are so many tropical, and even some temperate varieties that need other requirements.
SO NOTE THIS IS JUST ABOUT HERMANS TORTOISES.

The biggest change recently, is in their housing. It was always thought tortoises should be kept in vivaruim, but as you can imagine for med. tortoises, who come from hot, arid areas, it has been found the humidity produced in vivaria is bad for them, causing all sorts of problems. So house them on a tortoise table or indoor rabbit cages. They should not have a glass barrier as they will forever try to get thru it- very frustrating for them.

As a substrate, the best appears to be a 50/50 sterilized top soil and play sand mix.

Food is a big bone of contention, but cetainly, garden weeds are best, dandelion, clover are mines personel favs, but also plantains, a little bindweed (its a hallucnigen in large quantities)
petunias, pansy, nastursuims, rose petals, fuschia, and geranuim leaves all fine. The odd bit of tomatoes, strawberry or cuc is ok, but only as a treat. They also need calcuim and minerals added to diet
NEVER, EVER FEED A TORTOISE DOG/CAT FOOD, their bodies can't cope with level of protein.

They must have a good UV light source to bask under, but also should have access to outdoors, you can build a tortoise run easily, but remember, they are at risk from predators- dogs, cats, birds of prey. So always make sure they are safe.

My 3 have a choice of the outsdoor run or the greenhouse plus there indoor home.

Its a really good idea to bath them at least 2-3 times a week. Warm water in a washing up bowl, not to deep, up to level of the bottom of shell. They need some depth to drink properly, but also absorb fluids through skin and back passage.

I certainly reccmend looking at the "shelled warriors web site/forum", that has tons of tips and advice.
happy tortoise keeping