Re: What's the right tortise to get? Please Help!

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Posted by RACHEL SPRUANCE on June 10, 1999 at 00:36:08:

In Reply to: What's the right tortise to get? Please Help! posted by Kristen on June 09, 1999 at 18:24:18:

: I am looking for a tortise that is easy to take care of, great with children with an easy-going temperment, and will live in a 150x50 lot with a 9 ft. by 4 ft. pond. It can be small to medium.{preferably medium in size} Please Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kristen- My choice would be either a Russian tortise or a Bell's Hinge-back tortise. Both are medium sized tortises. I have a Bell's and I love him to death! Some tortise species are naturally shy, but not hinge backs- as soon as I got Boris he ate greens and tortise food pellets right out of my hand! This is NOT to say people can harass these animals with poking, proding fingers- they won't bite, but it would be a frightening experience for the poor tortise. As for the Russian tortise, I have no personal experince with them but I have read about them and came very close to getting one for myself. They are cold hardy (as far as reptiles go anyway)and prehaps somewhat smaller than the hinge-back. I can not stress how extremely important it is to do all your homework and have your new pet's home set up BEFORE PURCHASING YOUR ANIMAL!!! Also, be absolutely sure your prospective tortise is captive-bred; no matter how much more a captive bred specimen is, it always beats the vet bills that acompany a wild-caught animal. A good source of info on different tortises may be obtained by subscribing to a herp magazine or to a newsletter published by a tortise association. GOOD LUCK!

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: : I am looking for a tortise that is easy to take care of, great with children with an easy-going temperment, and will live in a 150x50 lot with a 9 ft. by 4 ft. pond. It can be small to medium.{preferably medium in size} Please Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : Kristen- My choice would be either a Russian tortise or a Bell's Hinge-back tortise. Both are medium sized tortises. I have a Bell's and I love him to death! Some tortise species are naturally shy, but not hinge backs- as soon as I got Boris he ate greens and tortise food pellets right out of my hand! This is NOT to say people can harass these animals with poking, proding fingers- they won't bite, but it would be a frightening experience for the poor tortise. As for the Russian tortise, I have no personal experince with them but I have read about them and came very close to getting one for myself. They are cold hardy (as far as reptiles go anyway)and prehaps somewhat smaller than the hinge-back. I can not stress how extremely important it is to do all your homework and have your new pet's home set up BEFORE PURCHASING YOUR ANIMAL!!! Also, be absolutely sure your prospective tortise is captive-bred; no matter how much more a captive bred specimen is, it always beats the vet bills that acompany a wild-caught animal. A good source of info on different tortises may be obtained by subscribing to a herp magazine or to a newsletter published by a tortise association. GOOD LUCK!

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