What's the best kind of Tortoise for a pet?

Question

Among the tortoises that are available for purchase. I plan to keep it inside for winter, and put outside in my fenced backyard during the hot summers.

I live in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hot and dry during the summer.

Answer 1

Indeed redfoots and yellow foot tortoises are great choices. If you live in southern California or the Southwest I would suggest perhaps a leopard or sulcatta tortoise. Both species grow relatively fast and are a lot of fun, though some people complain that sulcattas can become unruly and ill tempered, though I have never observed such behaviour. Another great species of tortoise are some of the smaller species such as russian, greek or marginated tortoises. Before you buy a tortoise I would go to kingsnake.com, go through the forums, and perhaps even contact one of the breeders directly listed in the classifieds to answer your questions as to which tortoise would work best for your situation.

Answer 2

Depends on where you live & how much space you can give it & other factors.

If you live in an area that is usually warm & humidy & with decent rain, I would recommend a red foot tortoise.

If you live in the desert Southwest & have an acre set aside for your tortoise, a sulcatta could be good.

If you live in a moderately dry area & don't want a larger tortoise, I would recommend Russian tortoises or Hermann's Tortoises.

Your decision depends on many factors. Buy captive born tortoises (non-wild caught) tortoises whenever possible. Do a LOT of research first, there is a lot of information availabale. When outside you need to provide your tortoise protection from predators & dogs.

EDIT: Now that you mention you live in the Salt Lake City area I would recommend Russian tortoises. They are fairly small, become very used to people & do well in hot areas. Hermann's will work also.

Leopard torts are beautiful. However MOST are more shy than Russians or Hermanns. They also tend to get sick more often than the Russians or Hermanns.

Answer 3

Since it's so hot and dry, you might want to look at a Leopard tortoise; they are a desert tortoise from Africa and would do better in the dry environment than a red foot. Red Foot tortoises need a lot of humidity to thrive; they came from the rainforest.

I would suggest NOT getting a turtle, as opposed to a tortoise, because they need much more water. And a sulcata will get enormous; the Leopard will be between 1 and 2 feet, the Red Foot about 1.5. Leopards and Red Foots have great personalities too.

Answer 4

various tortoises are lovable as infants yet you may desire to devise forward. Tortoises stay to be around 50 years previous based on the species. they seem to be a life long dedication and could no longer stay that little and lovable continuously. some strengthen into 18 inches and greater. So on an identical time as they seem relatively lovable and sound like a solid thought as a puppy now i might evaluate if your waiting for that vast of a dedication now. They value various money to look after besides. i'm no longer telling you which you could be a foul tortoise proprietor considering you won't be. I basically needed to enable you to recognize on what a brilliant accountability those little men are. With that for the period of suggestions i might say that a russian tortoise could be a solid one to initiate with in case you're relatively severe approximately getting one. terrific of success!

Answer 5

Sulcatas. Although they get quite large. Make sure that during the winter months, you have a heat bulb and also a UVB bulb on the animal as well. These tortoises are strictly vegetarians. I would suggest a diet of escarole, endive, and dandelion greens (fed daily) that should be dusted with a tortoise supplement and vitamin D3 supplement a few times a week.

Answer 6

The best tortoise in my opinion is the redfoot, or yellow foot tortoise. The grow about 18 inches as adults and can weigh 20 pounds. They are freindly and will tolerate children touching them and picking them up. Always watch your tortoise outside.
If the outdoor temperature exceeds 90 degrees spray them with a garden. Spray their outdoor pen in the morning and afternoon when their outside and provide a hiding place. as well as a low easy access water dish.

Answer 7

I have an Eastern Box Turtle. She's been a part of the family for eight years. I LOOOVE her. And she has a great personallity, recognizes family members, begs for food like a dog when the humans are eating dinner, lots of quirky things. She is the greatest. But I have no experience with other tortoises.

Answer 8

I'd aim for a Mediterranian species- Greek (also called the Mediterranian Spur Thighed), Hermann's, or Egyptian. These do well in warm, dry places and are common pet species.

Be aware that fencing alone is not great protection- turtles can easily slip under it, dig under it, or even climb it! You should consider some form of walls or close-spaced fencing with some anti-dig protection.

Answer 9

The galapugus tortoise is my favorite becuase it poops in the shape of a heart.

Answer 10

Soft shell or painted but they do carry salmonilia.