Tortoise or Box turtle?

Question

I would like a land turtle, but can't decide if I should get a box turtle or tortoise (leopard, or red foot)

Which would you reccomend as a first turtle to own?

Answer 1

I have had several turtles and tortoises, and would STRONGLY recommend a Box Turtle as a beginner- especially the Three-toed Box Turtle or Eastern Box Turtle.

Why? Space is one big reason. A 6" adult Box Turtle can be happy in a 4' x 4' habitat, while an adult small tortoise (Hermann's* or Russian) would want at least 8' x 4'.

(*- by the way, my recommended 1st tortoise is a Hermann's or Greek)

I prefer starter animals at meet certain standards-

1. Are captive bred. Most store-bought Russians are wild-caught, but you can find captive-bred Box Turtles on-line or with a local breeder fairly easily.

2. Are inexpensive in original price and care casts. Box turtle diet is a little more expensive but otherwise they are generally cheaper overall.

3. Good care info availability. We have a lot of good care info on Box Turtles that, when followed, results in long-lived, healthy turtles that reproduce effectively- the test of good care. Our care sheets for Russians are OK, but not quite 'locked in'. It is tough to get Russians to reproduce. We have much better care sheets for Greek and Hermann's (and Red-foot and Leopards as well).

4. Interesting behaviors. If a new pet 'just sits there' or hides a lot, it is difficult to get as enthusiastic about it over a long time. Box Turtles are nicely active in proper habitats, while most tortoises spend much of their day asleep or hiding. (Tortoises, especially the Red-foot DO have personalities and can be cool to watch/study, but they spend a lot of time in hiding.)

Try http://www.tortoisetrust.org for some great ideas and care sheets.

Answer 2

The main differences are the size and the diet. Tortoises are almost exclusively vegetarian, and box turtles are omnivorous, eating worms, crickets, and plant matter. You mention leopard and red foot tortoises, both of which get very large. A good first time tortoise is a Russian tortoise.

Answer 3

Actually I think aquatic turtles are MUCH less messy than either box, or russians. All you have to do is throw a small canister filter on their tank, and your good to go. Maybe clean the water once a month or so. Both box turtles and russians have smelly poops, and instead of a filter taking it out it sits right in it's cage until YOU clean it. Unless you keep these turtles the right way (in a large escape proof, predator proof outdoor pen). If kept inside they really need the largest enclosure you can afford as they naturally roam miles of territory.

Answer 4

for firsts box turtles are a lot smaller than tortoises and generally easier to care for so if your just starting of go with the box

Answer 5

Russian tortoise without a doubt. Go to: russiantortoise.org for more information. Good luck!

Answer 6

Iv had great experience with box turtles! they are extremely easy to accomodate and depending on where you get them they can be very social. The diets of these guys is also very easy to provide with minimal trips to the petstore.

Answer 7

I got two great red foot tortoises and i love them. i have had them since they were babies and i love the fact that they will be with me forever. they r fun becasue if u play with them alot when they r babies then u have so much fun playing with them when they get older. i have races with my two tortoises and it is so much fun. get tortoises. if u can get two then that is better but one is fun still.

Answer 8

i would go for a box turtle because they only eat once a day and they don't grow really fast