funny you should post that question. . .

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Posted by Esther on May 10, 2001 at 18:15:03:

In Reply to: Are there any tortose for 10gal? posted by ^_^ on May 10, 2001 at 15:29:43:

That is an excellent question, and I am glad that you had the forsight to post it.

Today, as I watched my 15 inch little sweeties happily rampage about the apartment, I wondered how they ever fit in the 10gallon tank that they were forced to live in the petstore. Later, having lunch with my husband, we talked about how could we get some land for them, how could we maximize their space, how could we maximize their time outside and he said, "you know, I love them so much and they love us too, but they really deserve at least 1 acre per tortoise."

You would probably feel cruel keeping a tortoise, ANY tortoise, in a tank of that size. Even 40 gallon breeder tanks don't give them enough stimulation and exercise, plus all of the problems associated with tank living (overheating, etc). It is better just to get a cat than to subject a tortoise to that life; they will never develope to their fullest potential, are more likely to have health problems, and be very mentally stressed.

They look so small and cute when they are babies, but you have to prepare for the fact that they are not a temporary pet or a pet that will remain small enough for such strict confinment. It is wonderful how they will be with you for a LONG time, sometimes outliving you, and they will continue to eat and GROW at a rapid pace. So many people aren't aware of that, or they just ignore that eventuality, and that is why there are so many tortoises needing rehoming or worse yet, dumped. My advice is to reexamine the future committment you will be making and ask yourself if you wouldn't be better off with a different, less curious, less stubborn pet.

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: That is an excellent question, and I am glad that you had the forsight to post it. : Today, as I watched my 15 inch little sweeties happily rampage about the apartment, I wondered how they ever fit in the 10gallon tank that they were forced to live in the petstore. Later, having lunch with my husband, we talked about how could we get some land for them, how could we maximize their space, how could we maximize their time outside and he said, "you know, I love them so much and they love us too, but they really deserve at least 1 acre per tortoise." : You would probably feel cruel keeping a tortoise, ANY tortoise, in a tank of that size. Even 40 gallon breeder tanks don't give them enough stimulation and exercise, plus all of the problems associated with tank living (overheating, etc). It is better just to get a cat than to subject a tortoise to that life; they will never develope to their fullest potential, are more likely to have health problems, and be very mentally stressed. : They look so small and cute when they are babies, but you have to prepare for the fact that they are not a temporary pet or a pet that will remain small enough for such strict confinment. It is wonderful how they will be with you for a LONG time, sometimes outliving you, and they will continue to eat and GROW at a rapid pace. So many people aren't aware of that, or they just ignore that eventuality, and that is why there are so many tortoises needing rehoming or worse yet, dumped. My advice is to reexamine the future committment you will be making and ask yourself if you wouldn't be better off with a different, less curious, less stubborn pet.

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