I live in Arizona and would like to get a smaller tortoise that could live outside most of the year, friendly, and is active most of the year (doesn't or minimally hibernates/estivates/brumates). Any suggestions? I have been considering Russian, Hermann's, Greek or Chaco/Argentine.
I believe all four of these hibernate/estivate/brumate. Any tort that doesn't would be tropical and that would entall some indoor time or a heated hide.
From what I have read (don't bash me if I am mistaken, someone please feel free to correct me) but the leopard tortoises don't hibernate. Though get somewhat big (up to 2ft I think)according to all of the differernt webste I've perused. You may want to consider one of those if the hibernation thing is a big issue for you...
That's what I've got my heart set on. Just read the post "DELIMA!....) yup that's all Me! I get to pick em out tomroow, YAYE!
chosen2030 Wrote:
I live in Arizona and would like to get a smaller tortoise that could live outside most of the year, friendly, and is active most of the year (doesn't or minimally hibernates/estivates/brumates). Any suggestions? I have been considering Russian, Hermann's, Greek or Chaco/Argentine.
chosen2030, first welcome to the forum. Have you considered your natural Arizona Desert tortoise? They may get a little bigger than a Russian and will hibernate but they are native to your area and therefore would do well.
Most of the Torts you mentioned above do hibernate. Is there a particular reason you don't want them hibernating? And what do you mean by active most of the year?
PYGY, there are some torts that don't hibernate including a Greek subspecies I believe.
chosen2030 Wrote:
I live in Arizona and would like to get a smaller tortoise that could live outside most of the year, friendly, and is active most of the year (doesn't or minimally hibernates/estivates/brumates). Any suggestions? I have been considering Russian, Hermann's, Greek or Chaco/Argentine.
If your weather gets down below 40 degrees in the winter time, there isn't a tortoise alive that would stay active. They need the sun to keep them active. However, if you provide heat for them, rather than letting nature take its course, you can keep any tortoise active during the winter. I think you would have a hard time finding any Chaco tortoises. They are very scarce in captivity and I never see them for sale. Russians are very personable and a great first tortoise. However, they do hibernate, so you would have to provide them with an artificial sun to fool them into thinking it really isn't winter, afterall!
Yvonne
PYGY Wrote:From what I have read (don't bash me if I am mistaken, someone please feel free to correct me) but the leopard tortoises don't hibernate. Though get somewhat big (up to 2ft I think)according to all of the differernt webste I've perused. You may want to consider one of those if the hibernation thing is a big issue for you...
That's what I've got my heart set on. Just read the post "DELIMA!....) yup that's all Me! I get to pick em out tomroow, YAYE!
Leopards and Sulcatas don't hibernate, but get much too big (in case it does get cold and they have to come in side) and live way too long (don't want to worry about who will care for them when I die).
Crazy1 Wrote:chosen2030 Wrote:
I live in Arizona and would like to get a smaller tortoise that could live outside most of the year, friendly, and is active most of the year (doesn't or minimally hibernates/estivates/brumates). Any suggestions? I have been considering Russian, Hermann's, Greek or Chaco/Argentine.
chosen2030, first welcome to the forum. Have you considered your natural Arizona Desert tortoise? They may get a little bigger than a Russian and will hibernate but they are native to your area and therefore would do well.
Most of the Torts you mentioned above do hibernate. Is there a particular reason you don't want them hibernating? And what do you mean by active most of the year?
What I mean is that the joy of any hobbyist/pet owner is being able to interact or observe their animals. Looking at the top of a shell in its den isn't very interesting.
PYGY, there are some torts that don't hibernate including a Greek subspecies I believe.
Can you find out what subspecies that might be please?
emysemys@pacbell.net Wrote:chosen2030 Wrote:
I live in Arizona and would like to get a smaller tortoise that could live outside most of the year, friendly, and is active most of the year (doesn't or minimally hibernates/estivates/brumates). Any suggestions? I have been considering Russian, Hermann's, Greek or Chaco/Argentine.
If your weather gets down below 40 degrees in the winter time, there isn't a tortoise alive that would stay active. They need the sun to keep them active. However, if you provide heat for them, rather than letting nature take its course, you can keep any tortoise active during the winter. I think you would have a hard time finding any Chaco tortoises. They are very scarce in captivity and I never see them for sale. Russians are very personable and a great first tortoise. However, they do hibernate, so you would have to provide them with an artificial sun to fool them into thinking it really isn't winter, afterall!
Yvonne
The temperature in AZ rarely if ever get that cold. Here in the valley of the sun, I worry more about it getting too hot (it gets up to 115 Farenheit during the summer, but its a dry heat, very low humidity)
Being from AZ myself, I do know the winter temps can get pretty chilly in the evenings. The only way any tort would stay active is if you brought them in during the winter. Russians will be less active here along with most, they will hide from the summer heat and the cool winters. My russians are under for 6-8 months a year. You could adopt a DT from PHS but they will hibernate in the winter.
chosen2030 Wrote:Leopards and Sulcatas don't hibernate, but get much too big (in case it does get cold and they have to come in side) and live way too long (don't want to worry about who will care for them when I die).
Chosen2030, any tort you get will have the chance to more than likely out live you. Most live about 75-100 years if properly taken care of. If you are concerned about them living too long or do not have the ability to give them a proper habitat, I suggest another animal as a pet. Each of us chooses our pets for different reasons. Most domesticated pets fit into our lifestyles. It seems torts are a little different we fit into theirs. We set up their habitats to suite them. We actually try and mimic their natural habitats to make them happy, safe and secure. I am not trying to discourage you but, these are long living animals with special needs. I would strongly suggest you search the web and read everything you can about Greeks, Russians and Hermanns. If these are the species you are thinking about getting. Please do your research before you acquire your tort to give it the best care you can. Oh yes and something a lot of people do not think about do you have a Reptile vet near you, one that specializes in Torts and the specific species you may want?.
Here are a few sites to start with;
http://www.chelonia.org/testudo_gallery.htm
http://www.chelonia.org/
http://www.tortoise.org/archives/herman.html
http://www.russiantortoise.org/
http://www.phoenixherp.com/content/index...&Itemid=93
Crazy1 Wrote:chosen2030 Wrote:Leopards and Sulcatas don't hibernate, but get much too big (in case it does get cold and they have to come in side) and live way too long (don't want to worry about who will care for them when I die).
Chosen2030, any tort you get will have the chance to more than likely out live you. Most live about 75-100 years if properly taken care of. If you are concerned about them living too long or do not have the ability to give them a proper habitat, I suggest another animal as a pet. Each of us chooses our pets for different reasons. Most domesticated pets fit into our lifestyles. It seems torts are a little different we fit into theirs. We set up their habitats to suite them. We actually try and mimic their natural habitats to make them happy, safe and secure. I am not trying to discourage you but, these are long living animals with special needs. I would strongly suggest you search the web and read everything you can about Greeks, Russians and Hermanns. If these are the species you are thinking about getting. Please do your research before you acquire your tort to give it the best care you can. Oh yes and something a lot of people do not think about do you have a Reptile vet near you, one that specializes in Torts and the specific species you may want?.
Here are a few sites to start with;
http://www.chelonia.org/testudo_gallery.htm
http://www.chelonia.org/
http://www.tortoise.org/archives/herman.html
http://www.russiantortoise.org/
http://www.phoenixherp.com/content/index...&Itemid=93
I agree with you 100 percent. Also may I add, all of us should include our torts in the will in case they outlive us ( I'm sure mine will).
Crazy1 Wrote:[quote=chosen2030]
Leopards and Sulcatas don't hibernate, but get much too big (in case it does get cold and they have to come in side) and live way too long (don't want to worry about who will care for them when I die).
Chosen2030, any tort you get will have the chance to more than likely out live you. Most live about 75-100 years if properly taken care of. If you are concerned about them living too long or do not have the ability to give them a proper habitat, I suggest another animal as a pet. Each of us chooses our pets for different reasons. Most domesticated pets fit into our lifestyles. It seems torts are a little different we fit into theirs. We set up their habitats to suite them. We actually try and mimic their natural habitats to make them happy, safe and secure. I am not trying to discourage you but, these are long living animals with special needs. I would strongly suggest you search the web and read everything you can about Greeks, Russians and Hermanns. If these are the species you are thinking about getting. Please do your research before you acquire your tort to give it the best care you can. Oh yes and something a lot of people do not think about do you have a Reptile vet near you, one that specializes in Torts and the specific species you may want?.
Here are a few sites to start with;
http://www.chelonia.org/testudo_gallery.htm
http://www.chelonia.org/
http://www.tortoise.org/archives/herman.html
http://www.russiantortoise.org/
http://www.phoenixherp.com/content/index...&Itemid=93
I've been to everyone of those sites already and have done my research, but I post the question here because I would like feedback from owners.I don't believe I said anything about not being able to provide the proper habitat, but just as you said we pick animals that fit our lifestyles and I was asking which tortoise most closely fits mine. Obviously sacrifices will be made for any tortoise or any pet for that matter. So what I'm hearing is basically they are all the same? None of the breeds I mentioned handle the heat better, hibernate less than the others or interact better with people? I would like info that isn't already common sense or general tortoise advocacy.
ZippyButter Wrote:Crazy1 Wrote:chosen2030 Wrote:Leopards and Sulcatas don't hibernate, but get much too big (in case it does get cold and they have to come in side) and live way too long (don't want to worry about who will care for them when I die).
Chosen2030, any tort you get will have the chance to more than likely out live you. Most live about 75-100 years if properly taken care of. If you are concerned about them living too long or do not have the ability to give them a proper habitat, I suggest another animal as a pet. Each of us chooses our pets for different reasons. Most domesticated pets fit into our lifestyles. It seems torts are a little different we fit into theirs. We set up their habitats to suite them. We actually try and mimic their natural habitats to make them happy, safe and secure. I am not trying to discourage you but, these are long living animals with special needs. I would strongly suggest you search the web and read everything you can about Greeks, Russians and Hermanns. If these are the species you are thinking about getting. Please do your research before you acquire your tort to give it the best care you can. Oh yes and something a lot of people do not think about do you have a Reptile vet near you, one that specializes in Torts and the specific species you may want?.
Here are a few sites to start with;
http://www.chelonia.org/testudo_gallery.htm
http://www.chelonia.org/
http://www.tortoise.org/archives/herman.html
http://www.russiantortoise.org/
http://www.phoenixherp.com/content/index...&Itemid=93
I agree with you 100 percent. Also may I add, all of us should include our torts in the will in case they outlive us ( I'm sure mine will).
So they all have the exact same lifespan?
chosen2030 Wrote:Crazy1 Wrote:[quote=chosen2030]
Leopards and Sulcatas don't hibernate, but get much too big (in case it does get cold and they have to come in side) and live way too long (don't want to worry about who will care for them when I die).
Chosen2030, any tort you get will have the chance to more than likely out live you. Most live about 75-100 years if properly taken care of. If you are concerned about them living too long or do not have the ability to give them a proper habitat, I suggest another animal as a pet. Each of us chooses our pets for different reasons. Most domesticated pets fit into our lifestyles. It seems torts are a little different we fit into theirs. We set up their habitats to suite them. We actually try and mimic their natural habitats to make them happy, safe and secure. I am not trying to discourage you but, these are long living animals with special needs. I would strongly suggest you search the web and read everything you can about Greeks, Russians and Hermanns. If these are the species you are thinking about getting. Please do your research before you acquire your tort to give it the best care you can. Oh yes and something a lot of people do not think about do you have a Reptile vet near you, one that specializes in Torts and the specific species you may want?.
Here are a few sites to start with;
http://www.chelonia.org/testudo_gallery.htm
http://www.chelonia.org/
http://www.tortoise.org/archives/herman.html
http://www.russiantortoise.org/
http://www.phoenixherp.com/content/index...&Itemid=93
I've been to everyone of those sites already and have done my research, but I post the question here because I would like feedback from owners.I don't believe I said anything about not being able to provide the proper habitat, but just as you said we pick animals that fit our lifestyles and I was asking which tortoise most closely fits mine. Obviously sacrifices will be made for any tortoise or any pet for that matter. So what I'm hearing is basically they are all the same? None of the breeds I mentioned handle the heat better, hibernate less than the others or interact better with people? I would like info that isn't already common sense or general tortoise advocacy.
Chosen2030, we answer questions assuming a person is completely new to this crazy avocation and try to establish a starting point. It is good you have done your homework but you asked about a temperate climate tort that doesn't hibernate and is small. You are forunitate to live in climate where it is possible to keep a tort out for a large portion of the year. I do suggest you look into adopting a DT (wish I could). The portion of the year it is hibernating can be used for improving it's habitat (i.e. planting food sources and giving them arunning start). As far as life span, yes they all will live 75 to 100 years with proper care which is one of their attractions and liabilities.
chosen2030 Wrote:So what I'm hearing is basically they are all the same? None of the breeds I mentioned handle the heat better, hibernate less than the others or interact better with people? I would like info that isn't already common sense or general tortoise advocacy.
Yeah, basically all torts are about the same. Some may handle hot temps or cold temps better then other's but overall, it's not by much. They get too hot, they will try to burrow under to escape that extreme. They get too cold, they try to hibernate. It's simple survival techniques. You can do things to cause them to not get so hot or start thinking it's winter time, as Yvonne mentioned at the start.
Folks mentioned the DTs because they are wonderful animals, you live in the right location, and so many desperately need homes. It is always so much easier to go with a native to your area. Please do check them out closely before you rule them out.
Of the ones your mentioned like Yvonne said, the Chaco will be the hardest to locate. The Russian, Hermann's, Greek are all going to be much easier to find for sale, with the Russian most likely the easiest. Personalities are pretty close and can be very individual.
Russians tend to be the one overall most suggested as a first time tortoise by most folks. They are easy to find, pretty cheap, normally little pigs so getting them to eat is easy, captive breeds are available (if that is a must for you), they stay fairly small, and have one of the most wonderful personalities.
Folks with the Greeks and Hermanns will tell you their torts are great starting torts too, and they are right. Can be a bit harder to find is maybe where they have their biggest drawbacks, but even that is not much of one.
I suggest when thinking of animals basically so close to the same qualities to (especially since you live in AZ where there are quite a few tort folks) go to a local tort club meeting or find folks who have these species. Check them out in person. Books and posts are great, but actually seeing and being around them is the best way to do the finial judging. Usually at that point one type will just feel a little more special to you.