Tortoise - considering buying one, could some with experience give some insight!

[MRL]

Hey everyone,

I have never owned a tortoise before. I have experience with many animals that require little to high maintenance. Just finished doing my own research and I am confused to be honest as to what type of care a beginer level tortoise requires. I would like to have something very low maintenance, that is pretty hardy. I read that russian tortoise are the best for beginners, given its small size an hardyness. I just want a little (emphases on little!) guy that I can have in a basic set up that's also impressive to look at.

Is this an ideal pet for what I'm looking for, could someone offer any other types of tortoise aside from this one with information that may be what I'm looking for.

How would you compare the care of a tortoise to other animals, such as t's or other reptiles.

thank you,
MRL

 

[jarrell]

okay not to sound hard but tortoises are not very active. i seen them reaised in pens but only that works if you have heat. why do you want a turtle in particular.

 

[MRL]

a new dimension to my collection

 

[Snipes]

My only experience is with a russian and a sulcatta tortoise last summer when i took care of them for my old Science teacher. They kept saying that the russian was dying cuz he is always sleeping, but i think that is just the way they are. The sulcatta was very active and apparently they get very large and are pretty expensive. When i took them outside to munch on plants in the park, the sulcatta would take off and eat, but the russian would try to dig and would end up sticking halfway out the bottom of my leg. I personally liked the sulcatta, but i liked the russian too. I have pics of them on my photobucket account if u want pics of them. George is the sulcatta, Boris is the russian.

 

[mybabyhasfangs]

Personally I would stay away from sulcattas. They get very large which causes problems. We have a 14 year old sulcatta who is about 50 pounds. He should be bigger but he has been through several surgerys and alot of medical stuff which put him behind. I have spent $3000 keeping Dozer alive and healthy. Now that is not the case with all of them, dont' get me wrong. It's the size they reach. There are tons of sulcattas that are giving away because of their size, that's how I got Dozer. Just do a google on them and you will come up with tons of info. We had to build a speical cage for Dozer in the basement for the winter. I don't know how we are going to get him down here when he reaches 200 pounds and is mad as hell. He has taken me out several times because I entered his terriority. And that hurts! I think it was Kevin Hanley that wrote a book on sulcattas, it was really good and shows what type of damage they can do. I was talking to someone at a show and their sulcatta dug under their garage, they had to tear up the floor in the garage to get him out before winter, cost them over 10g's. Don't get me wrong, I love Dozer with all my heart, but it's sad to see so many given up and miss treated because they get so big.

We do have a captive bred russian also. And she is the perfect pet. She eats like a horse, is fun to watch grow up, easy to find the food she needs. Inexpesive to feed (Dozer costs me about $30-40 a month, russian maybe $5.00). A good cb baby will set you back maybe $100. I really enjoy her. I would suggest a russian to anyone starting out. Very simple and fun. Heck, I've been doing this for 10 years and would love to have another.

Good luck and do your homework, which is sounds like you are doing! Kudos

Christina

 

[MRL]

That is deffinitely not what I am looking for. I live in the city and this pet must be ideal for an apartment. A 50-200 lbs tortoise running around in the basement can cause problems LOL

Could you give me names of any other smaller tortoise comperable to the Russian that can be other options for me?

 

[mybabyhasfangs]

Outside of baby sitting for a few hingebacks, I only have experience with russians, hermanns and sulcattas. I did have a greek something, darn I can't remember the name of that tort, it did really well for about 2 months and just died one day. No signs in was sick or anything. Just up and died. I was sad for along time, he was a cute little guy.

I just love the russians. Once you see the little guys, it's hard not to take them all home. I would try to find a captive bred baby though. They cost quite a bit more than the wild caught adults, but are worth it. Danni, our little russian, has grown so much and eats tons more than you think a little tort should. And she's easy to take care of.

Sorry I can't be of more help on other species.

Christina

 

[Kiffie]

If you aren't completely set on a tortoise, maybe try looking up box turtles.

They're small, good natured, and can be kept in a tank (though they need regular walks).

Some species do need to be kept near water, but others are almost completely terrestrial and cannot swim.

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Articles/firstlandturtle.htm

The article is "Choosing Your First Land Based Turtle" and includes info on tortoises, as well.

 

[Immortal_sin]

I have a rescue box turtle, she's easy as pie. I feed her a variety of fruits, veggies, etc, and use Mazuri Tortoise food regularly. She is free range, she mostly stays in the spider room since it's warm. I give her a bath every couple of days, and she sleeps most of the time. When she's not sleeping, she's standing still and staring off into space. She doesn't *do* much of anything!

 

[pharaoh2653]

I have a rescue box turtle, she's easy as pie. I feed her a variety of fruits, veggies, etc, and use Mazuri Tortoise food regularly. She is free range, she mostly stays in the spider room since it's warm. I give her a bath every couple of days, and she sleeps most of the time. When she's not sleeping, she's standing still and staring off into space. She doesn't *do* much of anything!

do you not worry about turtle crap all over the place?

 

[Kiffie]

I'm slightly curious about that, myself. A free range box turtle? And while they DO only poop in one or two places that they deem "yey", and are good in that regard, they urinate everywhere. I hope you do not have other pets that would come into contact with the urine on a regular basis, such as a cat, dog, or rodent, as they can spread the wonderful turtley bacteria to you. I've stepped in turtle pee before. It's... smelly. XD

What type of box turtle do you have, btw?