Expenses

[Redstrike]

Hello,
Originally I was planning on obtaining only one cherryhead, but now I'm considering 2. I was wondering if some of you experienced keepers could speak to any greater increases in costs for keeping 2 rather than one tortoise? I realize heating, lighting, etc. will remain the same, it's more long-term that I'm interested in. I'm thinking food costs would be roughly similar and I'd likely waste less, is this a valid assumption?

I'm interested to hear your thoughts,
Chris

 

[Torty Mom]

Yes, valid assumption. I grow all my own food! Mazuri is the only food item I purchase.

Good luck with your decision! I say get two, not much different than one!

 

[Jacqui]

Especially when younger and if it's during winter you will save money... unless you happen to be a big greens eater yourself. I am not a green eater much myself. With more then one they will eat a larger amount of greens and fruits, which means less would sit around long enough to go to waste and you will be able to buy more variety. Such as let's say with one you buy a small bag of mixed greens. That might take one several days to eat. With two, it would be gone twice as fast and then you could buy a bunch of turnip greens to fill in those days where with one you would still be on the mixed Spring greens.

Of course if your able to feed plants you grow and/or weeds from your yard, you will be deleting those at a faster rate, which could mean your going to have to be buying foods.

I know your planning on them living happily ever after together, but reality is that does not always happen. In the future you may find your two tortoises dislike each other immensely and you will need to separate them. Or what if you end up with a breeding pair? The male may end up needing to be removed from the female at times. So you could be needing two enclosures.

Okay let's say they do like each other. Where two tortoises together do not need twice the room and twice the equipment (like food and water dishes), it still comes up to more room is needed, so there goes more money for the extra footage of enclosure walls for that extra needed space. Two tortoises really should have two hides atleast, so add that in too.

The amount of work and time to care for two is basically the same as one, so your time expense is not more.

This next part is not expense, but...

Folks will tell you that tortoises are solitary animals, but I tend to disagree a bit. I think tortoises, especially hatchlings do better in groups of like three. They give each other competition and perhaps an added kick to survive. I have both heard and experience a pair being seemingly bonded together. Once removed from each other, the animals seem to go downhill and seem to miss the other tortoise.

What I also know is, I much prefer watching how they interact and react with each other then just watching a lone animal. If you walked thru or looked at all my current enclosures, you would only find two animals who are housed singularly.

 

[Angi]

Medical is the only real expense I see. That could get expensive and emotionaly taxing. For me giving my turtle a shot is very hary just because it kills me to cause her pain. She doesn't know I do it out of love

 

[Redstrike]

Medical is the only real expense I see. That could get expensive and emotionaly taxing. For me giving my turtle a shot is very hary just because it kills me to cause her pain. She doesn't know I do it out of love

I was intrigued by this post, do they need vaccinations or was this a treatment for illness?

---

Especially when younger and if it's during winter you will save money... unless you happen to be a big greens eater yourself. I am not a green eater much myself. With more then one they will eat a larger amount of greens and fruits, which means less would sit around long enough to go to waste and you will be able to buy more variety. Such as let's say with one you buy a small bag of mixed greens. That might take one several days to eat. With two, it would be gone twice as fast and then you could buy a bunch of turnip greens to fill in those days where with one you would still be on the mixed Spring greens.

Of course if your able to feed plants you grow and/or weeds from your yard, you will be deleting those at a faster rate, which could mean your going to have to be buying foods.

I know your planning on them living happily ever after together, but reality is that does not always happen. In the future you may find your two tortoises dislike each other immensely and you will need to separate them. Or what if you end up with a breeding pair? The male may end up needing to be removed from the female at times. So you could be needing two enclosures.

Okay let's say they do like each other. Where two tortoises together do not need twice the room and twice the equipment (like food and water dishes), it still comes up to more room is needed, so there goes more money for the extra footage of enclosure walls for that extra needed space. Two tortoises really should have two hides atleast, so add that in too.

The amount of work and time to care for two is basically the same as one, so your time expense is not more.

This next part is not expense, but...

Folks will tell you that tortoises are solitary animals, but I tend to disagree a bit. I think tortoises, especially hatchlings do better in groups of like three. They give each other competition and perhaps an added kick to survive. I have both heard and experience a pair being seemingly bonded together. Once removed from each other, the animals seem to go downhill and seem to miss the other tortoise.

What I also know is, I much prefer watching how they interact and react with each other then just watching a lone animal. If you walked thru or looked at all my current enclosures, you would only find two animals who are housed singularly.

Thanks for your reflections Jacqui, they were very insightful and helpful. I decided to purchase two cherryheads from Allegra, we'll see how it goes, but I'll keep a positive outlook for them being "cool-and-the-gang" together.

-Chris

 

[Jacqui]

You are going to enjoy Allegra's hatchlings so much!!!!

 

[Redstrike]

You are going to enjoy Allegra's hatchlings so much!!!!

I can barely wait! Thanks to you and a good backing from other supporters, I was able to find out about Allegra and her legendary cherryheads!