Which Tortoise?

Question

I would like to get a pet tortoise, i would like quite a small but not too expencive one do you have any ideas, and could you tell me how ofter they need to be fed, around how much they would cost (about) and where i could get one near Warrington (if possible). And could you please tell me if the Russian turtle is actually a tortoise
Thanks!

Answer 1

Get a Hermans tortoise. If you havent had one before, these are quite hardy little creatures. You can get them fairly small....prices will vary between pet shops. My son has two, one of them is about two inches long, and the other one is about four inches long. He's had them for about four years now! Keep these indoors in a terrarium, and they have no need to hibernate.

Answer 2

I believe the Russian Turtle is a Tortoise but it also known as the Russian Box Turtle....for some strange reason.

I have a Hermann's Tortoise - when purchased it came with a start-up kit, this included the vivarium, UV light, Heater, and heating pad etc. This cost about a couple of hundred pounds.

I had it for less than a year and I had to spend another few hundred pounds to get a vast bigger vivarium and all new equipment that was adequate for the size of the vivarium. Keeping a Tortoise is hard work and not for someone that thinks simply keeping it in a tank will suffice. It won't.

You need to learn about its eating habits and the food it needs as well as all the other dietary needs...calcium is extremely important (growth of bones and shell) to get right and you won't find much calcium in the food you may feed it. You will need to find a specialised vet, these are vastly more expensive than the normal vet due to the nature of the 'pet'.....

......there is much more you need to know but there is way too much to post here, just think seriously before buying one. Research them, think about who will take care of it if you go away - they to will need to know about them if they are to clean it out and feed and stuff......

....I really don't want to put you off but don't just buy one for the 'novelty' factor - please do think about it seriously and ask yourself why it is you want one.

Oh, and remember, those that you see in the pet stores are still young, as far as I am concerned there is no such thing as a small Tortoise - the vivaurium will need to be replaced - it will not last throughout is growing stages unless you buy a big one.

Answer 3

The best small tortoise for a beginner are the Hermann's or Greek Tortoises. The Russian Tortoise is OK, but really does best outdoors.

The housing set-up is the most expensive part. Tortoises need a lot of space, so we usually use large tubs for young tortoises, and either tortoise tables or outdoor enclosures for the adults.

Please do not use price as the main guide- some of the cheapest tortoises are those that either breed well, or are easily caught and shipped- not necessarily which ones are best pets.

Answer 4

In one of your other questions you said that you wanted a pet for outside. Years ago tortoise were kept outside but now-a-days most are kept inside in vivariums or on tortoise tables. Years a go when tortoises were ten a penny many inexperianced people had them.

A lot died when put into hibination as people didn't know how to do it properly. I put my hands up and will say that I was one of those. I was only a child at the time though and there wasn't much information in the 70's about tortoises than there is to day. I didn't know that you have to starve them for a couple of weeks before you hibinate them and that the fridge or a chiller is the best place to put them while in hibination.

By kepting them inside you don't need to hibinate them but the vivarium or table can be expensive to first set up, that's before you buy the tortoise. Tortoise can range from £100 for a young one to £500 for an adult.

Also if kept outside they are prime targets to get stolen and they can wander off and get lost.

I've now had my tortoise for over 10yrs and she's just fine.

Answer 5

It's no good a person on line telling you how to feed a tortoise- not being rude, if you get one you MUST buy a good book, and read all you can. Millions of people buy them and then they die because they get their food wrong- their shell can grow all wrong as well if they don't get the right nutrients in their food- which can kill them too.
They are not easy pets, and a small terrarium will set you back about £200 + not including the tortoise. And what about when it grows up- then it'll need an enclosure, or BIG terrarium. You'll need to know all about lighting, heat, and humidity.
Years ago, and occasionally now, people kept their tortoises in the garden, and putit in the garage in winter or something, but they are not designed to cope with our cold, horrible weather- they come from tropical places and need heat, and better nutrition than what most people give them- lettuce and cucumber from tescos just isn't good enough.
Please- read up and become an expert!! Keeping a tortoise is surely more fulfilling if you know you're good at it, and are being responsible.