Need Help With A Tortoise

[mtnkngxt]

Ive been into monster fish keeping for a few years as I work at the LFS and have rescued my share of Oscars and Pacus being halfway house for them until I find people with larger tanks and bigger wallets for these guys. WELL IM DONE the gf and I are through with fish for awhile, I have adopted out all of my fish to good homes with experienced keepers and have sold off my tanks and in turn upsized my collections of herps. I am a resucer and a rehabilitator at heart. I currently have adopted two neglected Crested Geckos that I have fattened up and are loving their new XL Exo-Terra homes and A Gargoyle with a hunchback who will be arriving WED. I have always been a herp guy, but the parents were much happier with fish rather than herps. Well Ive moved out and Im going to school and working and its time for me to get something that I can take with me through life. So Id like to get a tortoise I have the ability to give it room to roam my house, Empty room. My degree will allow me to live comfortably at least and so taking this guy and assuring his care is definite. Leaving him in my will, well I hate to think Ill die on day, but yes I have given this great thought. So I am ready to take the next step I have UVB bulbs and Heat Lamps, bountiful supplies of lettuce and such and I have a drive to keep and learn about as many of these animals as I can. So based on everyones own experiences what are the pros and cons of each of your own tortoises and what are their general needs that arent something Ill read in a caresheet. I appreciate everyones time and effort in this and for actually reading this whole post. Cheers

 

[loconorc]

Hmmm, youre pretty close to my area. But please, for the love of reptiles, don't keep it free-roaming! It sounds good at first, but its a disaster waiting to happen.

Its MUCH better to keep them outdoors. In VA, russian tortoises and their relatives are a good choice. Try looking at deerfernfarms.com for info and purchasing.

 

[mtnkngxt]

Ive been into monster fish keeping for a few years as I work at the LFS and have rescued my share of Oscars and Pacus being halfway house for them until I find people with larger tanks and bigger wallets for these guys. WELL IM DONE the gf and I are through with fish for awhile, I have adopted out all of my fish to good homes with experienced keepers and have sold off my tanks and in turn upsized my collections of herps. I am a resucer and a rehabilitator at heart. I currently have adopted two neglected Crested Geckos that I have fattened up and are loving their new XL Exo-Terra homes and A Gargoyle with a hunchback who will be arriving WED. I have always been a herp guy, but the parents were much happier with fish rather than herps. Well Ive moved out and Im going to school and working and its time for me to get something that I can take with me through life. So Id like to get a tortoise I have the ability to give it room to roam my house, Empty room. My degree will allow me to live comfortably at least and so taking this guy and assuring his care is definite. Leaving him in my will, well I hate to think Ill die on day, but yes I have given this great thought. So I am ready to take the next step I have UVB bulbs and Heat Lamps, bountiful supplies of lettuce and such and I have a drive to keep and learn about as many of these animals as I can. So based on everyones own experiences what are the pros and cons of each of your own tortoises and what are their general needs that arent something Ill read in a caresheet. I appreciate everyones time and effort in this and for actually reading this whole post. Cheers

After Reading what I wrote I must sound like an idiot... One of those moments I guess.

I should have said that I undrestand the need for a varied diet of dandelions, timothy hay, and grazing grasses. I understand the need for large enclosures inside during the cold months, and a secure outdoor setting during the warm ones. Im designing a natural stone walled in area with bird netting cover. I understand very well the need for UVB light and the need to maintain safe calcium levels. I also understand that these much like all herps live way longer than normal household pets and in some cases will outlive myself. I take excellent care of all of my animals and most of my free money goes to these guys, much to the dismay of my gf, oh well. So If anyone can give me their own personal point of view Id be greatly appreciative. Oh by the way Ill flame myself for the lettuce !

 

[KaraJo]

Glad to see youve done some research before buying. As far as personality, I would go with a sulcata or a leopard if room is not an issue. I have 2 sulcatas, 1 leopard, and a red foot. I let them roam the house from time to time as long as I watch them and make sure they dont get into anything they arent suppose to.

I would steer away from getting a hatchling. O have two of them and they have caused me many issues thus far. The bigger ones seem hardier. My oldest Sulcata is a whopping 7 years old, which still is not a mature adult age. Make plans to have a fence in back yard with a fence they cannot see to the other side or they may plow through it one day. Also, I would recommend soaking them a few times a week so they dont get dehydrated.

Glad you know that they will most likely outlive you! I hope to one day pass them on to my children who will grow up with them and hoepfully be the best caretakers after I am gone.

They are truly unique animals and have great personalities! Hope you enjoy yours!

 

[vicedretard]

depending on origin of tort will influence the diet...you take a red foot (which i own two) and your feeding dark greens, fruits, and some protein. where as you get a sulcata its cactus(de thorned) , dark lettuces, grasses, and such...all torts should be subjected to daily soaking by sulcata although recommended they get water daily can be given once a week where as redfoots need it every day as dehydration is a big risk with them...since sulcatas are from desert grasslands dry heat is better where as the south american native redfoots are from humid rainforest...you need to pick a tort that you can accomidate as full grown adult and determine if you can adequately replicate good living enviorments both outdoors(when possible...summer and such) and indoors (if needed during cold/wet seasons)

 

[loconorc]

If I may, pancakes are incredible if you can afford them (about 300 a pop). And golden greeks are the most beautiful of all tortoises IMO.

 

[Tequila]

For whatever it's worth, in my opion the best looking Tortoises are and remember you can't get all of these, are as follows: Angonoka, Galapagos , Aldabra, Sulcata, Yellow Foot, Red Foot/Cherry Heads, Leopards, Gophers, Pancakes are cool too, for a Tortoise that looks like it was run over by a truck.

Whens the Movie start?

So if your into Tortoises get what you can now because god only knows what you'll be allowed to have later.