Re: Best small tort for beginner?

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Posted by Terry on March 06, 2002 at 15:47:48:

In Reply to: Best small tort for beginner? posted by Blkwido on March 06, 2002 at 11:43:00:

Here are some web sites to help you out. Also if you tell us where your sisters friend lives, it will help us to recommend a species. Depending on the climate in her area.
Tortoises do so much better housed outdoors in spacious enclosures, even if it's only for the summer months. They can't spend the winter outdoors in cold areas. A tortoise stuck indoors year round in a tank is rather sad.
So keep in mind that if it's to be housed indoors it will still need a large enclosure, UVB lighting, basking light etc........
Many people have both indoor and outdoor enclosures. That way the tortoise gets to enjoy time outdoors during warm weather.

You could get a Russian Tortoise, a wild caught Russian can cost anywhere from $30-$70. Being wild caught,( recent imports), a vet check up including a fecal test for internal parasites is an absolute must.
Captive bred are available, but not very common and will cost more.But if you can find a captive bred Russian tortoise in your price range, it would be a great choice.
Don't be fooled by pet stores who might tell you their Russian tortoises are captive bred. If it costs under $150-$200, it's wild caught.

A Hermann's or Ibera might also be a good choice.
You'll find lots of info on small (Testudo) species including Russians,Hermann's and Ibera tortoises at the first three web sites.

http://www.tortoiselife.co.uk/

http://www.tlady.clara.net/TortGuide/GuideDl.htm

http://www.tortoisecare.co.uk/

http://www.russiantortoise.net/

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/

And here's a site for N.A. Box turtles, not aquatic they live on land. They do require constant access to *shallow* water though, for drinking/wading etc.
Unlike many (but not all) species of tortoise box turtles are omnivores and require a humid environment.
Many (but not all)tortoise species are herbivores and require an arid environment.

http://boxturtlesite.org

See if you can narrow your choice down a bit, then post again for more info on those species.

Follow Ups:

shallow water nathan 03/07/02 (0)
Thanks and more info... Blkwido 03/06/02 (5)
- Re: Thanks and more info... Terry 03/07/02 (0)
- Re: Thanks and more info... nathan 03/07/02 (3)
  - Re: Thanks and more info... mike 03/07/02 (2)
    - Re: Thanks and more info... nathan 03/07/02 (1)
      - Re: Thanks and more info... mike 03/07/02 (0)
Re: Russian tortoises are also known as Horsfields Tortoise Terry 03/06/02 (0)

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: Here are some web sites to help you out. Also if you tell us where your sisters friend lives, it will help us to recommend a species. Depending on the climate in her area. : Tortoises do so much better housed outdoors in spacious enclosures, even if it's only for the summer months. They can't spend the winter outdoors in cold areas. A tortoise stuck indoors year round in a tank is rather sad. : So keep in mind that if it's to be housed indoors it will still need a large enclosure, UVB lighting, basking light etc........ : Many people have both indoor and outdoor enclosures. That way the tortoise gets to enjoy time outdoors during warm weather. : You could get a Russian Tortoise, a wild caught Russian can cost anywhere from $30-$70. Being wild caught,( recent imports), a vet check up including a fecal test for internal parasites is an absolute must. : Captive bred are available, but not very common and will cost more.But if you can find a captive bred Russian tortoise in your price range, it would be a great choice. : Don't be fooled by pet stores who might tell you their Russian tortoises are captive bred. If it costs under $150-$200, it's wild caught. : A Hermann's or Ibera might also be a good choice. : You'll find lots of info on small (Testudo) species including Russians,Hermann's and Ibera tortoises at the first three web sites. : http://www.tortoiselife.co.uk/ : http://www.tlady.clara.net/TortGuide/GuideDl.htm : http://www.tortoisecare.co.uk/ : http://www.russiantortoise.net/ : http://www.tortoisetrust.org/ : And here's a site for N.A. Box turtles, not aquatic they live on land. They do require constant access to *shallow* water though, for drinking/wading etc. : Unlike many (but not all) species of tortoise box turtles are omnivores and require a humid environment. : Many (but not all)tortoise species are herbivores and require an arid environment. : http://boxturtlesite.org : See if you can narrow your choice down a bit, then post again for more info on those species.

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