Tortoise owners?

[Highlander]

Are there any tortiose owners out there? If so, what species do you keep?

 

[Highlander]

I own one female Sulcata Tortoise that is currently staying with my sister.

 

[Brian F.]

Just one Russian tortoise, my little Jenna. I'd like more, but everything else gets too big!

 

[Shelob]

I might be heading down to the huge SoCal Tortoise Expo to pick up a RedFoot, I would love to have one of those guys in my backyard

 

[Highlander]

I might be heading down to the huge SoCal Tortoise Expo to pick up a RedFoot, I would love to have one of those guys in my backyard

I would love to have a redfoot. But where I live there isn't nearly enough humidity outside .

 

[Nick_schembri]

I have one female Greek Tortoise. I used to have a male Egyptian tortoise, that used to mate every day with the female Greek, but although they're from the same genus, thankfully no hybrid babies.

 

[Shelob]

I would love to have a redfoot. But where I live there isn't nearly enough humidity outside .

Yeah I feel ya, I am in SoCal (where I live it is considered "desert") but where the turtle is going it is shaded and the sprinklers come on every day. Plus lots of plants around

 

[Madeline]

We have 3 Redfoot Tortoises. Male, Female, and a baby.

 

[Highlander]

Man you guys are lucky . Once I move into my own house I need to rebuild my once mighty animal collection.

 

[jarrell]

how is bieng a tortoise owner. what fuels you to be a tortiose owner. they sound diffuclt to mantain, are they. torts sounds really intrestested.

 

[Highlander]

how is bieng a tortoise owner. what fuels you to be a tortiose owner. they sound diffuclt to mantain, are they. torts sounds really intrestested.

Well that all depends on what your definition of "difficult" is. Sulcata's granted you have the large facility to house them when they get larger can be a very hardy species and are fairly easy to care for as far as herps go. For a beginner I would recommend a Russian tortiose. They are much smaller then sulcatas but are about the same level of difficulty as far as care goes. Do a search. Theres plenty of good information written about these two species. I also recommend: The General Care And Maintenance Of Popular Tortoises by Phillip de Vosjoli. It's a very good introduction to the care of tortoises.

 

[Galapoheros]

I live in Tx. I had a sulcata for almost 9 years. Bought it when it was a baby. He was AWESOME! I read the book mentioned. A good little book. When my tortoise couldn't fit through my field fence. I just let him roam around in the backyard. I would see him maybe every second or third day. He had more than an acre to walk around on. Natural grasses. Some Bermuda grass, which I read is native to Africa(?) and is a grass they like to eat. I have cactus in the yard which they like (spineless pads). There is a part I mow but I leave most of it natural. I didn't need to feed him. But, I would go get some apples, lettuce, melon for him every once in a while. When he would see me in the yard, he knew I was something that might have food and would follow me around. I had to house him in the winter though. But for 7 to 8 months, he was big enough and had what he needed in my yard to take care of himself. Downside was that I always felt like someone was going to steal him. And they get real strong when they get bigger. Mine tore a hole in some chicken wire I had on a gate to keep him in. I caught him doing it. I couldn't figure out what was making that hole, then I caught him working on the hole. He was half way out! Finally, just a few months ago. He discovered a wooden gate I have and busted the boards at the bottom. There is a dome shaped hole at the bottom of the gate. I found out who found him but they wouldn't tell me who they gave him to. Still bothers me. He was entertaining to watch. Kind of relaxing to watch. I will probably get another one. If you have the property, a good pick in my opinion. They get big though and a wooden fence won't keep them in. They dig to. But I have bedrock.

 

[Mandi]

ugh people who steal pets are trully sad...

I had someone steal a red eared slider right out of its terrarium, I called the cops & they wouldnt do anything until I explained it wasn't just the turtle he stole, fortunately when he got wind that the cops were getting involved, he brought back the turtle.

The jewelry and cd's he took, well.. thats another story

 

[Psycho]

I presently own

0.0.1 Russian Tort.
0.0.1 Sulcata Tort.

They are awesome animals. For me they are not hard to properly care for. We provide a Timothy Hay bedding, Mazuri Tort Diet, and fresh greens 1-2 times weekly...

-Rob

www.sheboyganherpsociety.com

 

[Nick_schembri]

how is bieng a tortoise owner. what fuels you to be a tortiose owner. they sound diffuclt to mantain, are they. torts sounds really intrestested.

The greek tortoise enjoys a Mediterranean climate. I keep it in my garden all year long, so apart from feeding there is nothing difficult about their care. But I guess this is different in the states.