#4603

 Tortises

Is there a kind of tortoise that does not get very big and is moderetely easy to take care of? I am not in a situation where I can have it living outside, so is there one that I can keep in a tank? I live in Florida and there are gopher tortoises everywhere, but I want one as a pet and they are protected.

 #4604

 Re: Tortises

Most of the Mediterranean tortoises (Testudo sps) stay under 10 inches total carapace length and eat grasses, weeds and flowers. It’s relatively cheap and easy to keep those 4 legged lawnmowers. Their climate needs are similar to what we have in the US and they do great in outdoor pens or indoors with a good quality UVB source. They are lovely, intelligent, energetic and friendly torts that are very fun to keep. I adore my Russian tortoise and his cousins the Greeks, Golden Greeks, Egyptians, Hermanns or Mediterranean spur-thighed torts are all said to be similar in nature. This link is a fairly long download as it’s an entire booklet, but is full of lots of good info on this genus of torts. Med Tort Guide

 #4605

 Re: Re: Tortises

Eyespy, you are seem to be very knowledgable on all types of reptiles, did you ever study them or are they a hobby? How many reptiles do you own?

 #4627

 Re: Re: Re: Tortises

I worked part time as a veterinary surgical tech for the University of Pennsylvania’s reptile and avian clinics from 1985 through 2000 and often rehab their post-op cases at home. For a longtime herp nut I’m not that crowded with herps. Just 4 beardies, 2 green igs, 2 cornsnakes, 2 garters, 1 western ribbon snake and a kingsnake. Oh, and I bought an African dwarf frog as a pet for the smaller of the 2 iguanas but Beaker’s not mine, stricly speaking. Amazon just loves to watch fish and frogs and birds and I spoil him rotten.

 #5508

 I’m not a tortoise person but I am still sad

My sisters tortoise died today he was about 8 years old and it had been getting in worse condition for the past year. I didn’t really like the tortoise but it didn’t mean I wanted it to die.

 #5511

 Re: I’m not a tortoise person but I am still sad

I’m very sorry for your loss, and hope your sister isn’t too broken-hearted. Eight is very young for a tortoise to die.

 #5546

 Re: Re: I’m not a tortoise person but I am still sad

I know it is. There was nothing we could do. What actually happened was that one shield of his shell grew too fast cracked and caused a bad infection we treated it and fed him well but he didn’t make it. I still have my hands full with my ig and python.

 #13663

 Re: Re: I’m not a tortoise person but I am still sad

A russian tort is small and personable and can handle cold better then most!