- Joined
- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6
Hi All-
My daughter...and well, me too ...are really interested in getting a tortoise. We want it to be primarily an indoor pet though we do have a backyard and we could let it be outside if we purchase one of those simple outdoor enclosures or something like that. I am trying to pick which type of tortoise would be best for us and I am having a hard time figuring it out.
Here is what I would like:
1. something not too big...smaller is much better because, while I have no problem buying a 50 gallon terrarium or sterlite container or whateven if is best for it...much bigger than that would be a bit tricky to get set up, I am afraid.
2. something friendly that won't bite at my kids and might even enjoy our attention. nothing too skiddish cause I have 4 kids so it is not really quiet around here.
3. I prefer something that will not hibernate just cause our pet going to sleep for 4 months sounds kind of like a bummer to me.
4. I have no problem with an omnivore but if it is an omnivore, it would be great if it would eat dubia roaches, superworms, meal worms, phoenix worms or things like that...cause I have those around for other pets. I really can't do pinkie mice..too icky. If turtle food is just as good, that is great as well.
5. pretty is definitely a plus...I love colorful and sweet faces
6. easy to care for is a HUGE plus. We are totally new to tortoises and relatively new to reptiles though we are learning more and more everyday.
I don't mind having different kinds of lighting and basking spots or whatever is needed...I am used to that. I prefer to have something on the bottom of the cage that is easy to clean and I am worried about my ability to make a complicated terrarium...simple would really be best for me.
We initially looked at a Russian. I know they are supposed to hibernate but it sounds like you don't really have to every year and that often it might even be best not to hibernate the tortoises.
Then we started looking at the Red Footed...or the Cherry Headed Red Foot.
I LOVE the looks of the Red Foots...they are absolutely gorgeous...and the size of the cherry head sounds even better I think. I love that they don't hibernate and sound relatively easy to care for. I am just worried about how complicated a terrarium they would need with mud and water...I am more of a bowl of water and a bit of tile or sand blend, a climbing tree and done type person. The cherry head ones are just gorgeous as well and as I said before smaller is better for us...I am not sure if the few inch size difference is enough to make it worth the price difference.
Oh, I am thinking we would only be getting one turtle...but we could do two if it is better. I am totally open to other suggestions if I have missed a great option. I am VERY new to tortoises and trying to learn before I make any decisions.
Thanks so much for any help you can offer me!
Alison
mom to 4 kids, 2 dart frogs, 1 bearded dragon, 1 white's tree frog, 1 guinea pig, 1 dog, 1 betta fish and soon to be joined by a hedgehog on Saturday
My daughter...and well, me too ...are really interested in getting a tortoise. We want it to be primarily an indoor pet though we do have a backyard and we could let it be outside if we purchase one of those simple outdoor enclosures or something like that. I am trying to pick which type of tortoise would be best for us and I am having a hard time figuring it out.
Here is what I would like:
1. something not too big...smaller is much better because, while I have no problem buying a 50 gallon terrarium or sterlite container or whateven if is best for it...much bigger than that would be a bit tricky to get set up, I am afraid.
2. something friendly that won't bite at my kids and might even enjoy our attention. nothing too skiddish cause I have 4 kids so it is not really quiet around here.
3. I prefer something that will not hibernate just cause our pet going to sleep for 4 months sounds kind of like a bummer to me.
4. I have no problem with an omnivore but if it is an omnivore, it would be great if it would eat dubia roaches, superworms, meal worms, phoenix worms or things like that...cause I have those around for other pets. I really can't do pinkie mice..too icky. If turtle food is just as good, that is great as well.
5. pretty is definitely a plus...I love colorful and sweet faces
6. easy to care for is a HUGE plus. We are totally new to tortoises and relatively new to reptiles though we are learning more and more everyday.
I don't mind having different kinds of lighting and basking spots or whatever is needed...I am used to that. I prefer to have something on the bottom of the cage that is easy to clean and I am worried about my ability to make a complicated terrarium...simple would really be best for me.
We initially looked at a Russian. I know they are supposed to hibernate but it sounds like you don't really have to every year and that often it might even be best not to hibernate the tortoises.
Then we started looking at the Red Footed...or the Cherry Headed Red Foot.
I LOVE the looks of the Red Foots...they are absolutely gorgeous...and the size of the cherry head sounds even better I think. I love that they don't hibernate and sound relatively easy to care for. I am just worried about how complicated a terrarium they would need with mud and water...I am more of a bowl of water and a bit of tile or sand blend, a climbing tree and done type person. The cherry head ones are just gorgeous as well and as I said before smaller is better for us...I am not sure if the few inch size difference is enough to make it worth the price difference.
Oh, I am thinking we would only be getting one turtle...but we could do two if it is better. I am totally open to other suggestions if I have missed a great option. I am VERY new to tortoises and trying to learn before I make any decisions.
Thanks so much for any help you can offer me!
Alison
mom to 4 kids, 2 dart frogs, 1 bearded dragon, 1 white's tree frog, 1 guinea pig, 1 dog, 1 betta fish and soon to be joined by a hedgehog on Saturday