Aspiring tortoise keeper, DFW

Greetings from DFW, Texas. I have always been fascinated by tortoises and have just recently realized they can be pets! I want to get started on tortoise keeping but would like to choose the right breed for me. I have been doing a lot of research on various tortoise breeds and wanted to know what tortoises do best in my area. I am open to housing tortoises inside or out (or both). I really like redfoots but I am worried that they would have to be inside most the year in DFW. Any thoughts on redfoots or other breeds in DFW?

Welcome! The first thing you’ll want to know is that they’re different species, not breeds

I also live around the DFW area! A good way to House a redfoot outside at all times is to have a large, heated shed with outdoor access. That way, they can come inside to warm up, then walk around outside until they want to be inside again.

Here’s a Care Sheet I put together for redfoots- http://aminoapps.com/p/v4bkxo Keep in mind that there are so many ways to raise a redfoot and Care is constantly evolving, so be sure to research more

Another good choice if you have a large yard is a Sulcata Or Leopard! These tortoises get large, with sulcatas being the 3rd largest species in the world, and will also need large heated sheds.

Here’s a Care Sheet for both-
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php...ealthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/

For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

Some more good options are testudos, like Russians. These stay relatively small, and can easily be housed indoors. However, they all require a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet.

This Care Sheet works for most testudos-
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

Whichever you choose, I would recommend buying from a breeder on the forum

Welcome!

I don't really consider my torts as pets. Most of the time they eat better and healthier than me! Lol

Hello and Welcome good luck on your search. The best way too start is figure out what species you want. Do you want a hatchling or adult. Then get your set up for the tort up and running so you know everything, heat, humidity, etc, is correct. Then purchase your tortoise from one of our forum active breeders who will have learned the right way and started their tortoises out correctly.

Welcome to the Forum.

wellington said:

Hello and Welcome good luck on your search. The best way too start is figure out what species you want. Do you want a hatchling or adult. Then get your set up for the tort up and running so you know everything, heat, humidity, etc, is correct. Then purchase your tortoise from one of our forum active breeders who will have learned the right way and started their tortoises out correctly.

Click to expand...

Thanks! That is my plan. Right now I am loving the idea of a redfoot but I may still be convinced otherwise.

TechnoCheese said:

Welcome! The first thing you’ll want to know is that they’re different species, not breeds

I also live around the DFW area! A good way to House a redfoot outside at all times is to have a large, heated shed with outdoor access. That way, they can come inside to warm up, then walk around outside until they want to be inside again.

Here’s a Care Sheet I put together for redfoots- http://aminoapps.com/p/v4bkxo Keep in mind that there are so many ways to raise a redfoot and Care is constantly evolving, so be sure to research more

Another good choice if you have a large yard is a Sulcata Or Leopard! These tortoises get large, with sulcatas being the 3rd largest species in the world, and will also need large heated sheds.

Here’s a Care Sheet for both-
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/How-To-Raise-A-Healthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/

For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

Some more good options are testudos, like Russians. These stay relatively small, and can easily be housed indoors. However, they all require a minimum enclosure size of 8x4 feet.

This Care Sheet works for most testudos-
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

Whichever you choose, I would recommend buying from a breeder on the forum

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. The care sheet is very helpful. Can you refer me to some breeders in north Texas? I want to get a hold of a few so I can plan ahead.

From what I understand most redfoots hatch in the spring and are well established and ready for adoption in mid summer? Is that right? Do breeders have any hatchlings left this time of year?

Also, I plan on going over to the Repticon in Grapevine this weekend. Do you know of anyone there I could chat with because I have lots more questions specific to raising tortoises here in our climate.

I don’t know of any breeders in north Texas, and I’ve never bought a redfoot, but I do know of some places where you can order one.

Tortoise supply has some good ones- https://www.tortoisesupply.com/BabyRedfootTortoises

Also be sure to look around the “for sale” section if the forum.

I’m also going to repticon! However, I would not buy a tortoise there. A lot of times the breeders raise them wrong.

Welcome!

Welcome to the forum!