Re: First time owner

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Posted by Eric T. on June 23, 2000 at 16:18:33:

In Reply to: First time owner posted by D on June 23, 2000 at 12:09:09:

:Your first question about fast growing tortoises depends on what you mean by fast. Some tortoises are amazingly fast growers- Sulcata for instance starts its life a little bigger than a quarter by 5 yrs old it can weigh 30 lbs and by 20 yrs it could easily weigh over 200 lbs.
But if your goal is to have a full grown tortoise I would suggest buying one. Trying to get your tortoise to grow faster (power feeding) is dangerous to the tortoise. It can cause shell deformities-(pyramiding)- and can weaken bones. This is due to the tortoise growing too fast to build a strong shell and bones.
There are other problems associated with too rapid of growth. These are damaged organs esp. liver and kidneys. So please don't try to power feed your tortoise.
Everybody has their own opinions about which tortoise is the best for a beginner. I personally prefer desert tortoises, all the Testudo group- Russians, Greeks, Herman's etc. They all stay relatively small and are less expensive to buy. After that comes the Geochelone tortoises- these ate the Leopards and the Sulcata etc. They are desert animals also, but these guys get to truely humongous sizes. For these you are going to have to have a plan on where to keep them when they get large.
The other tortoises are more dfficult to own. Many require high humidity or access to a large ammount of water. Many are quite shy and will stay hidden when people are around.
Remember that this is my opinion only.
-Eric-

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: :Your first question about fast growing tortoises depends on what you mean by fast. Some tortoises are amazingly fast growers- Sulcata for instance starts its life a little bigger than a quarter by 5 yrs old it can weigh 30 lbs and by 20 yrs it could easily weigh over 200 lbs. : But if your goal is to have a full grown tortoise I would suggest buying one. Trying to get your tortoise to grow faster (power feeding) is dangerous to the tortoise. It can cause shell deformities-(pyramiding)- and can weaken bones. This is due to the tortoise growing too fast to build a strong shell and bones. : There are other problems associated with too rapid of growth. These are damaged organs esp. liver and kidneys. So please don't try to power feed your tortoise. : Everybody has their own opinions about which tortoise is the best for a beginner. I personally prefer desert tortoises, all the Testudo group- Russians, Greeks, Herman's etc. They all stay relatively small and are less expensive to buy. After that comes the Geochelone tortoises- these ate the Leopards and the Sulcata etc. They are desert animals also, but these guys get to truely humongous sizes. For these you are going to have to have a plan on where to keep them when they get large. : The other tortoises are more dfficult to own. Many require high humidity or access to a large ammount of water. Many are quite shy and will stay hidden when people are around. : Remember that this is my opinion only. : -Eric-

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