How interactive/fun are tortoises?

5678 · May 5, 2019

Hi TortoiseForum. Recently I've been interested in reptiles. I'm debating between getting a ball python and a tortoise this summer (most likely a Russian or a Hermann's, maybe even a Redfooted), but I'm stuck between the two.
The main deciding factor for me is which one is more interactive or fun to keep. By interactive, I mean

Recognizes owner
Follows owner around
Friendly and interacts with environment

If anyone who owns any of these animals provides a bit of insight or shares their experience, that would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Lyn W · May 5, 2019

HI and welcome.
Most torts don't like being handled or petted and just associate their owners with food .
My tort has his own room because he is too big for a table or viv, and when he hears me coming in from work he heads for his gate/door and is waiting there for me looking for more food. I suspect he would do that for anyone as long as they had bunch of dandies or other goodies.
If I sit on the floor of his room he will come across to look for food and I can hand feed him, but then he starts to barge me because he doesn't like me being in his territory.
Other than that he just likes to do his own thing and he certainly doesn't follow me about.
One of the main things you should consider before choosing a tort or snake is the amount of space you have - a minimum enclosure floor space of 4 x 8 is recommended for the smaller species, ideally with another secure outside space for warmer months. They should not be allowed to roam around inside the house where it is cold and there are far too many hazards.
For me part of the pleasure of having a tort is just watching him in his enclosure or outside and keeping him healthy.
I would suggest you read the caresheets in the species section for the Hermanns, Russians and Redfoot to see which tort suits your circumstances (re climate, space, finance etc). That will help you decide which you can care for properly, because their needs are quite different.

5678 · May 5, 2019

Lyn W said:
HI and welcome.
Most torts don't like being handled or petted and just associate their owners with food .
My tort has his own room because he is too big for a table or viv, and when he hears me coming in from work he heads for his gate/door and is waiting there for me looking for more food. I suspect he would do that for anyone as long as they had bunch of dandies or other goodies.
If I sit on the floor of his room he will come across to look for food and I can hand feed him, but then he starts to barge me because he doesn't like me being in his territory.
Other than that he just likes to do his own thing and he certainly doesn't follow me about.
One of the main things you should consider before choosing a tort or snake is the amount of space you have - a minimum enclosure floor space of 4 x 8 is recommended for the smaller species, ideally with another secure outside space for warmer months. They should not be allowed to roam around inside the house where it is cold and there are far too many hazards.
For me part of the pleasure of having a tort is just watching him in his enclosure or outside and keeping him healthy.
I would suggest you read the caresheets in the species section for the Hermanns, Russians and Redfoot to see which tort suits your circumstances (re climate, space, finance etc). That will help you decide which you can care for properly, because their needs are quite different.

Thanks for the response. My yard is around 150 square feet, so I think I have enough room. Do you think that I can let the tortoise free roam around the entire yard or will that be too big? (I'm definitely going to fence him in.) I also have a spare room in my house I can keep him in during winter.

Kapidolo Farms · May 5, 2019

I'd put redfoot at the top of that list of three. IMO forest or closed canopy tortoises seem to not receive all other animals as predators. Of all species that don't get giant, over 50 pounds, radiated are the most personable, in that they will walk over to you just to 'check you out'. Slightly bigger are the Manouria, they look at your face as if to read your intention.

SWFLTortoise · May 5, 2019

IMO neither are very interactive, but still fun. My daughter has a Ball Python, and while I don't hat it, I find it less interesting. The Python mostly sits in one of a few spots in her cage. If out, you pretty much must be in physical contact with it.

Tortoises I'm finding are interactive with feeding, but as stated above, that's the reason the seek out their keepers. The giant tortoises seems to like attention though.

For me, the enjoyment with tortoises are observing them. Our sulcata now has 2 houses and a shelter in the yard and sleeps in all 3. Sometimes a few nights in one then a night or two in another. I've spent a lot of time trying to determine the catalyst for him picking a certain shelter each night. I enjoy doing that. Trying to understand them and what compels them do do certain things is interesting to me, and probably a lot of tortoise owners. But they are not like a dog who waits by the door for you to get home.

Where are you located?

5678 · May 5, 2019

SWFLTortoise said:
IMO neither are very interactive, but still fun. My daughter has a Ball Python, and while I don't hat it, I find it less interesting. The Python mostly sits in one of a few spots in her cage. If out, you pretty much must be in physical contact with it.

Tortoises I'm finding are interactive with feeding, but as stated above, that's the reason the seek out their keepers. The giant tortoises seems to like attention though.

For me, the enjoyment with tortoises are observing them. Our sulcata now has 2 houses and a shelter in the yard and sleeps in all 3. Sometimes a few nights in one then a night or two in another. I've spent a lot of time trying to determine the catalyst for him picking a certain shelter each night. I enjoy doing that. Trying to understand them and what compels them do do certain things is interesting to me, and probably a lot of tortoise owners. But they are not like a dog who waits by the door for you to get home.

Where are you located?

@SWFLTortoise Chicago

Violanna · May 5, 2019

The biggest difference with the two will be when YOU are active. Snakes are nocturnal, tortoises are diurnal. So if you want something to watch during the day, tortoise would be the way to go, if you prefer night time then a snake.

Neither care to be handled but a snake would be easier to get used to you. You would need to get a hand raised either way, not a pet store one. There are pros and cons to each but if you are looking for a companion and it must be a reptile, a type of lizard would be a better option. However most reptiles are just more for watching not playing with

Lyn W · May 6, 2019

5678 said:
Thanks for the response. My yard is around 150 square feet, so I think I have enough room. Do you think that I can let the tortoise free roam around the entire yard or will that be too big? (I'm definitely going to fence him in.) I also have a spare room in my house I can keep him in during winter.

If you let a tortoise roam your yard you have to make sure all the boundaries are tort proof because some species - and I think Russians are one of them - love to dig and will burrow under fences - they are determined escape artists and great climbers too. They also need to be safe from predators (gulls, dogs, foxes etc) especially if they are to be left unsupervised at any time, so ideally you would be able to provide a covered enclosure. I think babies are only supposed to be outside for short periods of time until they reach a certain age/size but the caresheets may tell you more. Do you have any other pets?

Madkins007 · May 14, 2019

A healthy tortoise will spend 90% of its time hiding, sleeping, and eating. They barely interact with other tortoises and animals (although forest species like redfoots are more social than many others). SOME individuals become rather puppy like, coming to be fed, following you, etc. Many redfoots are even known to come up to the toes of people around them and nip at them (but that may be more a sign of foot hygiene than affection!)

I think most successful reptile keepers succeed because they are fascinated by the animals, and enjoy the challenges they present but are also aware that they are not 'cuddly' animals in the normal sense of the word. (I know someone is going to comment about snake keepers and some lizard keepers who carry their animals everywhere on their shoulders or something. There is little evidence that the snake thinks of the owner as anything other than a weirdly moving but warm tree.)

dmmj · May 15, 2019

Out here in California. If you go wandering in the desert and come across a tortoise (remember not to touch) they walk right up to people no fear whatsoever. In the wild a general rule is large animals tend 2 eat small animals. New tortoises are usually wary of people but they tend to learn quickly that food comes from you so most pretend to like you

ZEROPILOT · May 15, 2019

I keep Redfoot.
I have for over 30 years.
I'm wondering if your expectations are realistic.
A lot of my Redfoot have been interactive. But most of the activity was bullying in nature and directed at ME. THE FOOD GOD.
While I think that they are certainly more interesting than a Ball Python.(I've also had one) As @Lyn W mentioned, tortoises in general don't like to be handled much.
Most Ball Pythons are docile. They stay small and don't seem to mind being handled once they recognize people.
A Ball Python can also be more easily housed than an adult Redfoot tortoise.
(I used Redfoot here because they are THE MOST INTERACTIVE of the 3 torts you listed)

So for the most interactive tortoise on your list: Redfoot.
The most interactive pet on your list: Ball python.

Ketta · May 17, 2019

Lyn W said:
HI and welcome.
Most torts don't like being handled or petted and just associate their owners with food .
My tort has his own room because he is too big for a table or viv, and when he hears me coming in from work he heads for his gate/door and is waiting there for me looking for more food. I suspect he would do that for anyone as long as they had bunch of dandies or other goodies.
If I sit on the floor of his room he will come across to look for food and I can hand feed him, but then he starts to barge me because he doesn't like me being in his territory.
Other than that he just likes to do his own thing and he certainly doesn't follow me about.
One of the main things you should consider before choosing a tort or snake is the amount of space you have - a minimum enclosure floor space of 4 x 8 is recommended for the smaller species, ideally with another secure outside space for warmer months. They should not be allowed to roam around inside the house where it is cold and there are far too many hazards.
For me part of the pleasure of having a tort is just watching him in his enclosure or outside and keeping him healthy.
I would suggest you read the caresheets in the species section for the Hermanns, Russians and Redfoot to see which tort suits your circumstances (re climate, space, finance etc). That will help you decide which you can care for properly, because their needs are quite different.

I don't think that's quiet true because yesterday my red foot boy he was out of his sleeping spot I arrived home at 7 pm when usually at 6.30 pm he goes to his sleeping spot. If he would just care about food he would have ate what I brought him.. and he didn't he just straight to his sleeping spot after I petted him. He does like to be petted especially on his head. I think it's a matter of habits? And how you raise it if you raise it not petting him/her ... I had 9 tortoises as a child but they were always outside so I didn't had contact all the time with them but with Keto its different and I see now so many things that couldn't see in the ones I had as a child. With him I'm learning so many things everyday.
From those 9 tortoises 5 were used to being petted i got them used to it

Ketta · May 17, 2019

ZEROPILOT said:
I keep Redfoot.
I have for over 30 years.
I'm wondering if your expectations are realistic.
A lot of my Redfoot have been interactive. But most of the activity was bullying in nature and directed at ME. THE FOOD GOD.
While I think that they are certainly more interesting than a Ball Python.(I've also had one) As @Lyn W mentioned, tortoises in general don't like to be handled much.
Most Ball Pythons are docile. They stay small and don't seem to mind being handled once they recognize people.
A Ball Python can also be more easily housed than an adult Redfoot tortoise.
(I used Redfoot here because they are THE MOST INTERACTIVE of the 3 torts you listed)

So for the most interactive tortoise on your list: Redfoot.
The most interactive pet on your list: Ball python.

I agree with Zeropilot red foots are interactive tortoises.

How interactive/fun are tortoises?

5678

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Lyn W

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5678

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Kapidolo Farms

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SWFLTortoise

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5678

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Violanna

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Lyn W

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Madkins007

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dmmj

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ZEROPILOT

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Ketta

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Ketta

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