ok so i was thinking of getting a leopard gecko but i have always loved the look and personality of the sulcata tortoise, but i am living in a townhome with almost no yard and no room inside for a big enclosure (and will be living here for at least the next 2-3yrs). So i was wondering what kind of tortoise is there that stays small (14in or smaller) and is outgoing, i would also like something that doesnt need to hibernate, i was looking and kind of liked the russian tortoise but what else is out there? would also need something that is fairly readily available and not to expensive, looking for something that i can have heat lamp and everything set-up in a large dog kennel (or my bathroom) where he would stay at night but would pretty much have free range of my room during the day (only when i am home of course)
Small Tortoise Ideas
- Thread starter Sarah88
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I can't really think of a smallish one that doesn't hibernate...any of the other Testudo species would fit your size constraints (Hermann's, Greek, marginated etc). Good move avoiding sulcatas, I used to want one until I found out what keeping one entails.
Sulcattas grow pretty quickly, if kept properly..
looking for small tortoises think;
pancake tortoises
star tortoises
cherry head redfoot
tortoises in the family (Psammobates) are small but are pretty pricey and hard to come by.
looking for small tortoises think;
pancake tortoises
star tortoises
cherry head redfoot
tortoises in the family (Psammobates) are small but are pretty pricey and hard to come by.
haha your just tempting me now arent you lol, i really like these guys but without knowing where im going to be living after this place id rather avoid them, they are soo cute though, the natural science center i did an internship at had a small 2-3yr old (might have been older but not sure, he was about 10in) that wasnt big enough to go into the pen with the big guys yet and he was sooooo adorable he would follow you around the room and nip at your jeans like a little puppy to get your attention, but yeah how widely available are those other testudos? from what i read russians dont need to hibernate, any one have experience with them they can share?Lepisosteus platyrhincus;3921473; said:
any one got any other ideas or experiences they could share (especially those who have somewhat free-ranging tortoises? advice on set-up? and reputable dealer where i could get one from?
russian tortoises are the most available tortoise around here and conveniently also one of the smallest. they also do well in cooler temps.
i also know of the greeks and hermans but they arent as easily to get.
russians cost like 60 bucks
i also know of the greeks and hermans but they arent as easily to get.
russians cost like 60 bucks
yeah i know i wish they were as available here though, i never see tortoises for sale here so no matter i get i would have to order it 
ok so apparently petsmart chains carry russians and greeks but since NC has some stupid law from the 70s chain stores and wholesalers aren't allowed to sell turtles OR tortoises becuase people were too stupid to wash their hands after handling them or actually watching their kids around them so they got salmonella, i thought the law only applied to turtles but guess not, so this sucks so i def have to try and find someone out of state and get it shipped... anyone know a dealer/store near bradenton florida that carries them, maybe my grandparents could bring me one next time they come up
You could always look to see if there's any reptile expos in your area, in PA theres one its like an invasion of tortoises, and turtles. 