Re: Need recommendations/directions

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Posted by Terry on October 08, 2000 at 18:01:57:

In Reply to: Need recommendations/directions posted by Ryan Gwaltney on October 08, 2000 at 02:47:50:

Hi Ryan,
a 20 or even 30 gallon tank is not a suitable habitat for a tortoise.
A hatchling might be fine for a year or two in such an environment, but will soon outgrow it.
Go to Turtle Cafe's habitat page for photos and info on indoor and outdoor tort habitats.
Outdoor enclosures ( the larger the better)is the best way to house tortoises. Even if they can only be outdoors in your area during the summer months.
If you have a yard, then building an outdoor enclosure for the tortoise will result in a much happier/healthier tort.
Here's the URL to habitat page at Turtle Cafe:

http://www.turtlecafe.net/habitats.htm

As far as which species to get, my advise is to do your research well. The smaller Testudo species hibernate, something to keep in mind. And although most Testudo species are fairly small as adults, (around 9"). They are still too big to house in a 30 gallon tank.
Most people build indoor or outdoor enclosures instead of keeping their torts in fish tanks.
Some people house them outdoors during the warmer months and bring them indoors when the weather turns cool/cold.
I'm lucky to live in a warm climate so my tortoises and turtles are housed outdoors year round.
My sulcatas enjoy around quarter of an acre.The much smaller Russian tortoises ( one pair) are housed outdoors in a 20' - 15' enclosure.
So do plenty of research before choosing a tortoise.
Russian tortoises are smallish and can become very friendly, but most are Wild Caught. They can come with all sorts of health problems due to the overcrowded, dirty conditions they must indure during shipping. A health check up is an absolute must for any new, and espesially a Wild Caught tortoise.
A good place to start researching the care and needs of various species of tortoise is the Tortoise Trust web site (linked below). Linked from the site are many other tortoise related sites.
Hope this helps.
Terry.

Tortoise Trust

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: Hi Ryan, : a 20 or even 30 gallon tank is not a suitable habitat for a tortoise. : A hatchling might be fine for a year or two in such an environment, but will soon outgrow it. : Go to Turtle Cafe's habitat page for photos and info on indoor and outdoor tort habitats. : Outdoor enclosures ( the larger the better)is the best way to house tortoises. Even if they can only be outdoors in your area during the summer months. : If you have a yard, then building an outdoor enclosure for the tortoise will result in a much happier/healthier tort. : Here's the URL to habitat page at Turtle Cafe: : http://www.turtlecafe.net/habitats.htm : As far as which species to get, my advise is to do your research well. The smaller Testudo species hibernate, something to keep in mind. And although most Testudo species are fairly small as adults, (around 9"). They are still too big to house in a 30 gallon tank. : Most people build indoor or outdoor enclosures instead of keeping their torts in fish tanks. : Some people house them outdoors during the warmer months and bring them indoors when the weather turns cool/cold. : I'm lucky to live in a warm climate so my tortoises and turtles are housed outdoors year round. : My sulcatas enjoy around quarter of an acre.The much smaller Russian tortoises ( one pair) are housed outdoors in a 20' - 15' enclosure. : So do plenty of research before choosing a tortoise. : Russian tortoises are smallish and can become very friendly, but most are Wild Caught. They can come with all sorts of health problems due to the overcrowded, dirty conditions they must indure during shipping. A health check up is an absolute must for any new, and espesially a Wild Caught tortoise. : A good place to start researching the care and needs of various species of tortoise is the Tortoise Trust web site (linked below). Linked from the site are many other tortoise related sites. : Hope this helps. : Terry.

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