Looking to adopt a medium sized tort for MD outdoors

I'm looking for something that would live in my fenced in backyard year round. So preferably an Ibera Greek. But also interested in Hermann's, Marginateds, maybe even Russians.
Shoot me a message if you know someone!

Chris, the owner, has been an off and on contributor here on TFO, has all the species you are considering, and is somewhat close in New Jersey. I have had a few experiences with Chris and they have all been good.

Kapidolo Farms said:

HERMANNI HAVEN | GardenStateTortoise

www.gardenstatetortoise.com

Chris, the owner, has been an off and on contributor here on TFO, has all the species you are considering, and is somewhat close in New Jersey. I have had a few experiences with Chris and they have all been good.

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Except that he starts babies on sand and says they don't eat for two weeks because they are living off of their yolk sac, and then he publicly makes fun of people who think this is a problem. He also starts babies under cfl type UV bulbs and spot lamps.

I cannot abide...

Kapidolo Farms said:

HERMANNI HAVEN | GardenStateTortoise

www.gardenstatetortoise.com

Chris, the owner, has been an off and on contributor here on TFO, has all the species you are considering, and is somewhat close in New Jersey. I have had a few experiences with Chris and they have all been good.

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LOVE GST but have no idea how to get in touch. I'd absolutely adopt from them if they are willing.

Charlie24601 said:

LOVE GST but have no idea how to get in touch. I'd absolutely adopt from them if they are willing.

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Here is a link for you: https://www.gardenstatetortoise.com/

There is a spot in the top tool bar for contact.

Charlie24601 said:

LOVE GST but have no idea how to get in touch. I'd absolutely adopt from them if they are willing.

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I do no believe they are currently selling tortoises anymore.

I believe they do or used to sell babies, but not adult rescues. Look on pet finder and look way outside your area as someone may be willing to meet you part way. Also look in Craigslist again far outside your normal area of looking

OkAdiza said:

I do no believe they are currently selling tortoises anymore.

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Sorry, that should say they are not selling live animals anymore. Not sure if it’s temporary, but something with new regulations/ laws in their state. They now have on their website that they do not in their FAQ.

@Charlie24601, I am in VA, and I am always seeing Russians and even many Hermann's on craigslist in the VA/MD/DC area.

OkAdiza said:

Sorry, that should say they are not selling live animals anymore. Not sure if it’s temporary, but something with new regulations/ laws in their state. They now have on their website that they do not in their FAQ.

@Charlie24601, I am in VA, and I am always seeing Russians and even many Hermann's on craigslist in the VA/MD/DC area.

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Yeah, I'd rather not get a baby anyways. I've raised them before, but in the end I prefer getting an older tort that is in need of a home. If I had a big BIG backyard....or a horse farm....I'd totally rescue sulcattas.

My dream is a large ibera greek, or large hermanns. I haven't seen much for torts in the DMV area at all. If you ever see something, shoot me a note!

Did you find a shelled companion?thought I’d pass on some links you might find usefulI think it’s wonderful you want to offer an older tortoise a home!

This thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, definitely double check bulb types, folks unfortunately sold the wrong ones often), correct levels, appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and the tortoise table link

This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it, I have a huge back log I need to add

Lastly, this one here is good to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Hope they come in helpful! Would love to hear updates

Littleredfootbigredheart said:

Did you find a shelled companion?thought I’d pass on some links you might find usefulI think it’s wonderful you want to offer an older tortoise a home!

This thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, definitely double check bulb types, folks unfortunately sold the wrong ones often), correct levels, appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and the tortoise table link

Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it, I have a huge back log I need to add

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is good to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they come in helpful! Would love to hear updates

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I actually 'accidentally' won an auction for a male ibera greek. Saw it on Morphmarket and made a bid but didn't think I'd win. He is now living in my back yard and loving it. He's hilariously interactive. He'll come running at me every time I go out to water plants or clean up.

Now to find him a girlfriend!

Charlie24601 said:

Now to find him a girlfriend!

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You will need multiple, they don't do well in pairs, but groups with one male and multiple females are fine.

Charlie24601 said:

I actually 'accidentally' won an auction for a male ibera greek. Saw it on Morphmarket and made a bid but didn't think I'd win. He is now living in my back yard and loving it. He's hilariously interactive. He'll come running at me every time I go out to water plants or clean up.

Now to find him a girlfriend!

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Happy Birthday ​

Charlie24601 said:

Yeah, I'd rather not get a baby anyways. I've raised them before, but in the end I prefer getting an older tort that is in need of a home. If I had a big BIG backyard....or a horse farm....I'd totally rescue sulcattas.

My dream is a large ibera greek, or large hermanns. I haven't seen much for torts in the DMV area at all. If you ever see something, shoot me a note!

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Sulcatas are awesome and Happy birthday!

Charlie24601 said:

I actually 'accidentally' won an auction for a male ibera greek. Saw it on Morphmarket and made a bid but didn't think I'd win. He is now living in my back yard and loving it. He's hilariously interactive. He'll come running at me every time I go out to water plants or clean up.

Now to find him a girlfriend!

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Aw how nice! Would love to see pics!

Second what @The_Four_Toed_Edward mentioned above about pairs though, I’d get multiple if you planned on having a few.
tortoise of any species shouldn’t be housed in pairs under any circumstances, they’re incredibly territorial, behaviours that look cute to us really aren’t, following one another and sleeping huddled up is all bullying the the tortoise world, you’ll eventually see more extreme signs of aggression. Anyone who tells you pairs are fine, have no idea what they’re talking about, breeders unfortunately sell pairs too often.

Small groups are ok when there’s lots of land and the correct male to female ratio, this isn’t because they necessarily prefer the company, but because it doesn’t allow dominant behaviour to escalate into further aggression, a tortoise may well start following one tortoise, see another and start following them instead, that’s just one example. By nature tortoises are incredibly solitary animals, they only seek out to mate, then live primarily on their own. Have some species been documented hanging out in groups seemingly unbothered? Absolutely, but again this doesn’t mean they’re seeking out the company, rather than they are seeking out the environment in a particular hang out spot. Again this is group dynamics, not a pair. Pairs are completely unnatural, one will always be trying to compete for dominance, even if not to the naked eye, babies often stunt one another’s growth, or cause failure to thrive, this is often picked up too late, when you think everything is going fine, suddenly it isn’t. My point is, it’s not worth the risk to either tortoise, even if you don’t see out right aggression, this is an incredibly stressful housing situation, the stress is sometimes not easy to pick up on

Happy birthday!