Re: I've been thinking...

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Posted by Terry on February 10, 2001 at 12:57:20:

In Reply to: I've been thinking... posted by Carmen on February 09, 2001 at 22:02:05:

Hi Carmen,
both Russians and Leopards are very nice tortoises, I've kept both. Although I sent my leopards to Texas to Teresa from Turtle Cafe, as I decided to concentrate on other species.
Teresa is a good person to talk to re Leopard torts, as this is her favorite species.

Leopards do get quite a bit bigger than Russians and will eventually require quite a big enclosure.
But captive bred Leopard tortoises are readily available.
They are capable of reaching 100 lbs as adults, although most are usually a bit smaller.
Indoors each adult of 12" should have a minimum area of 5'-5', as yours would be indoors much of the time even bigger than that would be kinder to the tort.
Outdoors I would go for a much larger enclosure.

I keep a pair of Russian torts, they are wild caught but I've had no major problems with them. Both had worms when I got them, but apart from that they are healthy, active, friendly and really fun to watch.

As EJ said, if you choose Russians get a pair much more fun than one. And at some point they may breed .

Russians are wild caught, so the vet visit is extremely important. If you go for Russians pick the most active, alert, healthy looking and get them to a vet.

You could house two russians in a 6'- 6' enclosure.
Although I'm in favor of " The larger the better", but then again I'm lucky to be able to house my torts outdoors year round, not everyone lives in a climate that allows outdoor housing.
My Russian pair live in a 10'- 20' enclosure.

So leopard torts do get big something to consider. That cute little hatchling will eventually need quite a lot of space. But captive bred leopards are readily available.

Russians are much smaller and once they get used to you are a lot of fun. Mine although they are wild caught, ate from my fingers within a week of getting them.

However 99% of Russian torts available are wild caught. So you must look them over well, get them to a vet and watch for signs of illness.

There are other species such as the Hermann's tortoise, captive bred are available. This is a small atractive tortoise.Here are some photos:
http://www.slowcoach.org.uk/gallery/hermann/gal_herm.html

Here's some Russian tort photos:

http://www.slowcoach.org.uk/gallery/horsfld/gal_hors.html

And Leopard tortoise photos:

http://www.slowcoach.org.uk/gallery/leopard/gal_leop.html

Hope this helps.
Terry.

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: : Hi Carmen, : both Russians and Leopards are very nice tortoises, I've kept both. Although I sent my leopards to Texas to Teresa from Turtle Cafe, as I decided to concentrate on other species. : Teresa is a good person to talk to re Leopard torts, as this is her favorite species. : Leopards do get quite a bit bigger than Russians and will eventually require quite a big enclosure. : But captive bred Leopard tortoises are readily available. : They are capable of reaching 100 lbs as adults, although most are usually a bit smaller. : Indoors each adult of 12" should have a minimum area of 5'-5', as yours would be indoors much of the time even bigger than that would be kinder to the tort. : Outdoors I would go for a much larger enclosure. : : I keep a pair of Russian torts, they are wild caught but I've had no major problems with them. Both had worms when I got them, but apart from that they are healthy, active, friendly and really fun to watch. : As EJ said, if you choose Russians get a pair much more fun than one. And at some point they may breed . : Russians are wild caught, so the vet visit is extremely important. If you go for Russians pick the most active, alert, healthy looking and get them to a vet. : You could house two russians in a 6'- 6' enclosure. : Although I'm in favor of " The larger the better", but then again I'm lucky to be able to house my torts outdoors year round, not everyone lives in a climate that allows outdoor housing. : My Russian pair live in a 10'- 20' enclosure. : So leopard torts do get big something to consider. That cute little hatchling will eventually need quite a lot of space. But captive bred leopards are readily available. : Russians are much smaller and once they get used to you are a lot of fun. Mine although they are wild caught, ate from my fingers within a week of getting them. : However 99% of Russian torts available are wild caught. So you must look them over well, get them to a vet and watch for signs of illness. : There are other species such as the Hermann's tortoise, captive bred are available. This is a small atractive tortoise.Here are some photos: : http://www.slowcoach.org.uk/gallery/hermann/gal_herm.html : Here's some Russian tort photos: : http://www.slowcoach.org.uk/gallery/horsfld/gal_hors.html : And Leopard tortoise photos: : http://www.slowcoach.org.uk/gallery/leopard/gal_leop.html : Hope this helps. : Terry.

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