Friendly with children?

[Clairemarie]

Hi all! So my family has been talking about getting a tortoise for quite some time. We are looking for a medium-large sized tortoise who does not hibernate. The leopards seem like a nice breed. My question is, how are they with children? I have read articles saying tortoises are the worst pets to get for children and I have read they are great pets for children. We keep chickens, and from when the chicks are born at 1 day old we let the children handle them constantly as long as the chicks are happy, safe and enjoying it. For us this has had them grow up into really really friendly chickens and an enjoyable experience for our family. Can you handle the leopards a lot? Do they like it? Will it scare them? Are there other breeds that one would recommend? I would appreciate any and all opinions! Thanks so much
Claire

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

I wouldnt say they like to be handled.. no tortoise really likes to be picked up.. but they can be very interactive as far as petting and hand feeding .

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

There are some good threads to read through is ur interested

How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0

It's been three years since the original care sheet, http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-63788.html , and I think its time for a review and an update. A lot of new info has come to light over the last three years and new insight has been gained through numerous experiences. What follows is my...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[Clairemarie]

There are some good threads to read through is ur interested

How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0

It's been three years since the original care sheet, http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-63788.html , and I think its time for a review and an update. A lot of new info has come to light over the last three years and new insight has been gained through numerous experiences. What follows is my...

www.tortoiseforum.org

Thank you!!

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

No problem. And welcome to the forum!

 

[jeneliza]

This depends on, what you are looking for, I have a red foot, she's great around children, however I don't let children pick her up, she likes to be touched, but have a limit as to when she's had enough, and goes in her hide, if you are looking for a pet to carry around all the time, then no, if you want to watch and touch it, and interaction but not carry around then yes, however this isn't a pet that is low-cost either the heating elements, that are needed, the encloser , supplies, all can be costly, depending on where you live , colder areas need more because they need to be housed, inside, so this depends on what you want as to a pet , most enjoy the attention, but don't enjoy being carried around,