daniczo
New Member
Hello and welcome. I commend you for taking the time to do the research ahead of time.
Having once been where you are, I can tell you that the things you envision for your future right now are very likely to change and change again over the next three years. Since you are asking for advice, I would advise you to wait until you get where you are going, settle in, and have the time and space for a tortoise. We are all here to promote and celebrate the joys of tortoise keeping, so I don't make this recommendation lightly. Having a pet tortoise can be done in your circumstances, but with the amount of stuff that will be on your plate for the next few years, the question is: Should you embark on this journey at this time? Tortoises really do best with large indoor enclosures and large outdoor enclosures for fair weather. It doesn't sound like you'll be able to do this in your current lifestyle, so I'd suggest a different pet for you to enjoy. If you like the reptile thing, then look into a corn or king snake, a small python or boa species, a blue tongue skink, a bearded dragon, leopard or crested gecko, or any number of others that can thrive in smaller quarters with no outside time. Or a cat. Or a pet rat. How about a ferret?
Whichever way you decide to go, we are happy to help.
Thank you very much for your advice. I have tried researching Blue Tongue Skinks, because I have heard they also have awesome personalities. However, it is my understanding they grow rapidly and reach quite large sizes (up to 2 feet long?!) which I imagine would mean an enormous tank size. I have found very little information about them but know I am not comfortable feeding mice or live worms.