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My tortoise is sweet, all of my roomates love it, but when I tell other people about it, they always respond with something like "Why do you have a tortoise? what can you do with it even?"

I think it cool just to watch them grow, dig around and eat food. Plus it's super cool that it should out live me haha.

Hmmm no one has ever given me hell about having tortoises!

Just tell them, "You'd be surprised at all the things a tortoise can do!"

And if they ask "What CAN they do?"

Respond with, "Eating from my hand, scaling walls, hang gliding, magic tricks, motorcross racing..."

LMAO! Kelly - you are too funny!

They don't make NOISE.. they don't QUESTION me.. !!!

Terry

Dude, REALLY! You could tell them what they DON'T do! They don't rip up the furniture, they don't talk back or cuss, they don't puke on my bed (cats) or pee under the table (dogs) or pee on the wall next to the toilet (boys). They don't demand lots of material things, don't steal the remote control, and NEVER play their music too loud!

Kelly you are going to make me pee! LOL

I've had a few ask that same question. I just tell them that like any pet they have their own personality and that they do some amazing things and it is quite obvious that they know nothing about tortoises to make a statement like that. Have they ever had a 500 lbs or 100lbs or even a 2 lbs tortoise nudge them or come running across, Yes they run, the yard to greet you and have you scratch their shell or rub their head. Have they ever looked a tort in the eyes when a tort was sick and see that they understand you are doing everything you can to take care of them and help them. Have they ever had a tort nibble on their toe, No not bite, nibble or heard the sound they make when they breed? I say then obviously they don’t know much about torts and maybe just maybe you may be the one to teach them something about them.

And if that doesn't work then you can respond with Kellys’ response, cause I have fed mine from my hand, watched them scale walls and rock climb as well as do a double summersault in three feet of air. Not to mention disappearing tricks and escapist like Houdini. Or you could just ignore their crap (as you put it) and just tell them its your pet not theirs and you love it.

I agree with everyone above, My father calls it my science project, my mom likes them, and my husband is patiently waiting for spring to come. But I say they are the best pets!! They don't bark, or wake you up in the middle of the night, don't chew up everything in sight, or pee all over the place!! To me I think they are the best animal to have and anyone that thinks otherwise can just stay away. Although most responses I get are they are so cool!! granted most of the time they are looking at the huge tank of rescued RES in my living room. But I prefer my tortoises and the great personalities they bring.

I have to say that most people think that my torts are really cool. They are always so amazed at the sizes and the differences. I think that is people were giving me a hard time about my choice in pets I would have to tell them to take a hike. My torts are all so different and so enjoyable to watch and be around that I can't imagine anyone giving me a hard time about them.

Ive always liked them, but now that Im getting older and moving slower....the livestock is harder to deal with. So now I have slow moving 'cows' with shells.

In todays world of unimagable violence and craziness, it is nice to have contact and a relationship with a gentle, unassuming, and harmless creature. I can look at them as an example of how to maybe go through life.

Just as Laura, at my age they are the only things I can keep up with. Also, they don't ask stupid questions like why I like something

Tortoises are pretty much perfect... the only thing I wish they could do is fetch my mail haha!

Itort Wrote:In todays world of unimagable violence and craziness, it is nice to have contact and a relationship with a gentle, unassuming, and harmless creature. I can look at them as an example of how to maybe go through life.

AMEN!!! Larry. ( Itort )

Ya know.. they outlive us.. make babies until they die.. and who knows how long they have been around and doing fine until man decided to help them. And they will never bite us on purpose.

I often wonder why I was chosen [ in some small way ] to propagate those that I have. To feel that tiny creature "squirm" in the egg.

What a face huh?



We are blessed...

Terry

It is pretty cool how they never try to harm us, Tank has bit me before, but only because I wanted to see how hard he could chomp so I stuck my finger in his mouth haha... it's pretty solid, but nothing too bad