I'd like a tortoise!?

Question

I'm really interested in getting a tortoise as a pet. Is there a particular breed thats best for beginners? also what equiptment would I need? and how much would it cost me? any help appreciated thankyou.

any additional details are welcome aswell, I know absolutley nothing about tortoises or reptiles but I'm really keen to learn.

Answer 1

Look up Russian Tortoises. They stay small and are vegetarians. You don't have to feed yucky bugs.
Chinese Box Turtles also stay small, but they eat bugs and worms.
Both are good for begginers. Please do research on these animals. They have dietary, UV light (sunlight), heat and humidity requirements that have to be met or they get sick and die.
Type the species of tortoise you're interested in into Yahoo Search and lots of care sheets will come up for that animal.
Good luck.

Answer 2

If you want a tortoise I would go with a Russian Tortoise. They stay small (6-10 inches depending on sex) and are vegitarians. There are two of them for sale at my local Pets Mart for 60-80 bucks. I can't remember the exact price. If you can get to a reptile show you should beable to find them for a good price.
(WARNING make sure they are captive bred, not wild caught. And take any animal to the vet to have an exam done.)

You will need a largish cage (an aquarium with a screen top wil work. It will need to be about 75 gallons though so try to find a used one. I got one used for about 15 bucks at a reptile show. A cheaper solution, if you don't mind about looks, is a 50 gallon (or bigger) rubbermaid container for about 15 bucks.

You'll need a heat lamp (10-15 for the lamp and ~5 bucks for the shop light fixture form Lowe's) and a natural light florecent light bulb (10-20 for the bulb and 15 for the fixture from Lowe's).

I'd look up several care sheets for what to use for a substrait. I have seen a mix of cleaned play sand and Bead-a-beast used. You want to keep this slightly moist. Or an sand and loam mix if you can find it. If you use an aquarium paper towls will work fine. Just make sure to have a shallow dish of water for humidity and for drinking water in both setups. You can also spray the sids of the setup with declorinated water.

If you use an aquarium you will need to put some sort of visual barrier on the back and sides. The stuff you get at a pet store for fish tanks is fine.

Food is greens. Do NOT feed any reptile iceburg lettuce. There is no nutitional value and they can become addicted to it.
Here is a list of greens they like. Remember to feed a variety:
Dandylion
Romaine lettuce
Red and green leaf lettuce
Endive
Escarole
Radicchio
Turnip greens
Mustard greens
Kale
Collards
Spring Mix (mixed salad greens)
cabbage (on occasion)

The setup should have a cool end with the temps in the low 70's F and a basking spot at 90-95 F. At nigh temperature drops are needed. Into the 60's at night is good.


The setup for any land turtle (box turtle) or tortoise will be similar in general but always look up a care sheet for specifics since there ARE differences.

Answer 3

It depends on where you live. If you live in California, you should consider contacting your local Turtle/tortoise society. You can rescue an adult California Desert Tortoise for only a $25 membership fee if you have appropriate lodging for it. That means a yard that is secure (They dig and climb) and no dogs!
You also have to plan on bringing it in at night and letting it sleep in a box with newspaper.
They are very easy and quite social. You can never take it out of California without it most likely dying as it is very sensitive to climate.
Other than that, I think box turtles tend to be a bit boring and Russian tortoises rather expensive for their personality.
Still, either of these could also be adopted. So, no matter what area you live in, try looking up a Reptile, Turtle, Tortoise society in your area because there is no reason to buy one from a pet store when you can rescue a perfectly healthy pet.
Adult Turtles and Tortoises take very little in the way of care (i.e. terraniums and lights) if you live in the appropriate climate for the animal. Good LUck!

Answer 4

Well, to start with- it will cost you between $125 and $300 for the supplies and set up you'll need. Most tortoises need well-controlled heat and humidity, lighting that includes UV components, and a pen that starts at about 4'x4'.

A great article for beginners on tortoises is this: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Articles/firstlandturtle.htm

Answer 5

yeah you should probably start off with a turtle tortoises can get extremely expensive but if you still are intersested.This is a care sheet for a specific kind of tortoise but others can require different needs.


This tortoise's natural range includes Thailand, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, south China, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia and Kampuchea. The head is pale yellow except in the breeding season when both sexes undergo a colour change to feature pink hues around the eyes and nostrils. In the wild, I. elongata typically occurs in teak forests where the humidity is high, although it is also found in hot dry conditions. It is most active during the early part of the rainy season (when breeding also occurs). Some keepers report that I. elongata is most active at dawn and dusk, when it can be observed hunting for food. This tortoise typically avoids strong sunlight, and does not normally seem interested in basking facilities (although, given its wide distribution, regional preferences may exist). As in the wild, peak activity is often seen following heavy, warm, summer rain. Daytime environmental temperature should be maintained in the 26 - 30°C region during summer (78 - 86 °F). In winter, daytime temperatures can be reduced to 24 °C (75 °F) . At night, temperatures can be reduced to around 18 °C (65 °F). This tortoise regularly takes snails, slugs and worms in addition to green leafy material, fruit and vegetables. A bathing pool is essential, as Indotestudo elongata is known to drink copiously and likes to sit, half-submerged, for several hours at a time. In the wild, fallen fruits are believed to comprise a high proportion of its diet. Many keepers provide a diet rich in prepared meats such as dog food for I. elongata, but this is probably inappropriate. Only a small amount of low fat animal protein (such as rehydrated cat pellets with added vitamins and calcium) is provided on an irregular basis to the Elongate tortoises in the Tortoise Trust collection. This appears to be entirely adequate and is more conducive to long-term good health.

Answer 6

the acceptable call for the tortoise human beings is the call Bernard. that's a recognition that's respected by making use of all sea human beings as this became into the tortoise who controlled to fly. the way it controlled to fly became into by making use of making use of its powers the ideas and to make your self fly. in case you may not do this then your for sure not worth sufficient as you're too primitive to speak with us of better intelligence than the popular monkey. Chocolate Chocolate BROCOLLI CHEESE Icecream that's the nicest concern you may ever could desire to eat.

Answer 7

There is too much info you need to post here. It is very important to do your research, as I can see you are starting to do. Depending on the turtle you choose, you will need different supplies. The best place I can tell you to go to is www.turtleexchange.com/forum
There are many knowledgeable people there, and they have a vast array of turtles in their care.

Answer 8

for price check out kingsnake.com or reptileauctions.com
for cage the bigger the better.
what type, possibly sliders(water turtles) eastern box turtle, or one of the exotics. vegetarians are easier to feed, but my sliders eat almost anything, from minnows, turtle food, cut up chicken or crayfish

Answer 9

u should get a turtle not a tortoise , tortoise are too big and ensensive!

Answer 10

well. i have 2 box turtles and there great there the first i have ever had u only have to feed them every other day and barely bathe them i know its not good to get pets from pet stores but i got these 2 from one and thy have been alive and healthy since i got them!!!!!! if you have any other questions email me