Basic Questions About Buying a Tortoise

[Buddybenj]

I live in Texas, and I have never owned a tortoise. I want to get a tortoise and I have a few questions:
•What type of tortoise should I get? I would prefer one that looks nice, doesn't become giant, and is easier to take care of than other tortoises.
•Where should I buy it from? I have heard Tortoise Supply is good, and there is a PetSmart near me which sells some tortoises. I definitely want a place that sells captive tortoises, not wild ones.
•If the place selling it gives me an option, should I choose male or female? I don't have a strong preference.
•Any other important information I should know?

 

[Gillian M]

A very warm welcome to the forum.

Please read the "Beginners Mistake" Thread as well as the different care sheets, which will definitely help you with: species, enclosures, food, taking care of the tort and the rest.

As far as pet shops are concerned, sorry, cannot help you as I live in Jordan (The Middle East). Hope members living in the U.S.A will give you advise here.Good luck!

 

[TortoiseWarrior]

Hi. Welcome.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

Here's a link to the thread Gillian advised you to read:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[JoesMum]

Hi

Most of your questions are answered by the beginner mistakes thread.

Your biggest consideration is space. Even the smaller species need lots.

Torts are impossible to sex until they are near full size, they all look female at first, so you tend to get what you get.

You also need to consider your future plans. This is a pet for the next 50+ years. They're not portable and you can't put them in kennels when you're on vacation - someone will need to care for it in your home.

If you're in a tiny apartment or planning on going to college, I would suggest you delay getting a tort for a while.

 

[Tom]

I live in Texas, and I have never owned a tortoise. I want to get a tortoise and I have a few questions:
•What type of tortoise should I get? I would prefer one that looks nice, doesn't become giant, and is easier to take care of than other tortoises.
•Where should I buy it from? I have heard Tortoise Supply is good, and there is a PetSmart near me which sells some tortoises. I definitely want a place that sells captive tortoises, not wild ones.
•If the place selling it gives me an option, should I choose male or female? I don't have a strong preference.
•Any other important information I should know?

Hello and welcome.

Your questions:
1. Sounds like a Russian, Greek, Hermanni or Marginated tortoise will suit you best.
2. Best to buy directly from a breeder. Tyler at tortoisesupply.com is a friend and a good place to buy. Pet stores should generally be avoided. The one you mentioned only sells wild caught animals as far I I have seen. The store employees may tell you otherwise, but they are ignorant. Also most of the supplies they will sell you are useless or dangerous in some cases.
3. Generally speaking, males are more outgoing, bold and inquisitive. There are exceptions. I've seen timid males and bold females many times.
4. Once you tell us what species you are leaning toward, we can give you more specific advice for that species.

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

Hello

 

[Marinated mamma]

I have marginated tortoises if you choose them as your lifelong friend any advice I can offer you I would gladly provide have had them for 13 years so have had just about everything happen except successful mating but watch this space it is to be continued!

 

[Holly'sMom]

I've heard Tortoisesupply is a great place, the owner is nice I've messaged them a few times w questions.. And personally I'd avoid pet-smart/Petco type stores for any animals. I've went in asking for items like a thermostat and was given a thermometer then I needed a UVB light and was told to buy a blue bulb I could go on lol I'm a new tortoise owner myself and have been to Petco/petsmart 15 times in 2 weeks Mainly because they've sold me the wrong items. Now I'm using this site and Amazon . But the two petco's near me have multiple tortoise shoved into a way too small tank (3X smaller than I have for my one hatchling) they're not able to even walk wo going over each other. Unless it's a pet store that specializes in reptiles with positive reviews, I'd stick w trusted online breeders like tortoise supply. Just please be careful if you choose a breeder w/o a website/feedback and do not pay anyone with friends and family on PayPal. A lady on one of the FB pages was just scammed for two Sulcata hatchlings. The guy never sent them and because she paid through PayPal by friends and family she's not able to recover anything. But whatever you decide Good luck

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

Why not buy your tortoise here because we take the best care and they are captive breed. If you lived in Az, I would let you see them all and you could choose which is best for you

 

[Dustin]

Did your account get hacked? You revived a thread that you posted on almost 10 years ago to try to sell "captive breed" tortoises, most of which look wild caught. I didn't know that you sold tortoises. Is that why you are always trying to get people to rehome them to you rather than @EppsDynasty?

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

Did your account get hacked? You revived a thread that you posted on almost 10 years ago to try to sell "captive breed" tortoises, most of which look wild caught. I didn't know that you sold tortoises. Is that why you are always trying to get people to rehome them to you rather than @EppsDynasty?

No, my account didn't get hacked!Thoughs are some of my adults! 10 years ago, I didn't sell tortoises! what I offered was to let a person that didn't know what tortoisethey wanted was to come to my house see thoughts tortoises to help them make up his mind not to sell him tortoises!Im sorry that you think so poorly of your fellow forum people!

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

Buy here naans at the Tortoise forum not with me

 

[Dustin]

So those were your tortoises from 10 years ago. You sure you didn't just take screenshots from a bunch of websites? What do you do with the tortoises you try to get for free constantly?

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/953074339889413724/

https://www.oocities.org/hiramtom/homeana.html

https://holizticvet.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/fun-fact-pineapple-tortoise/

https://en.namu.wiki/w/호스필드거북

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

I keep them to breed How else Would I get over 70 tortoises.