Hi all!

Kimmers000

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Tacoma, WA
I'm new but have been avidly reading for a few weeks - our family is about to acquire our first tortoise (many questions in the appropriate places are to follow). We're getting a tort "for our son" for Christmas, but the reality is my husband and I are probably more excited than my son will be!

My husband and I both have backgrounds in veterinary medicine, and have always shared a love of animals. We've had reptiles in the past (bearded dragon and a ball python). Both were given to us through the vet hospital we worked at at the time because of health issues the owners were unable to care for. When we moved, we didn't know what kind of exotic veterinary care would be available to them in our new locale, so we chose to place them with coworkers (vet techs) who would be able to keep them near their established exotic specialist vet. It was hard, but it was what was right for them.

We currently have 3 dogs (2 Rough Collies and a German Shepherd) and 2 indoor kitties, as well as a happy flock of 7 lovely chickens. :) All are much beloved members of our family.

We live in western Washington, just south of Seattle.

Thanks in advance for all of the help I'm sure this forum will provide!
 

Yvonne G

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Welcome to the Forum! have you decided what kind of tortoise you want?
 

Kimmers000

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Dec 9, 2014
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Location (City and/or State)
Tacoma, WA
Noooooooo... I want one of each! Kidding.

I am still reading and reading and reading....

Most of my indecision is based on the fact that I would really like to have a tortoise who could (as an adult anyway - since the consensus seems to be higher humidity for babies and juveniles) be housed in a more open table. Our starter home for it is going to be a 50 gallon tote, to be upgraded in the near future. So I'm weighing the humidity and substrate requirements...

The ones we've narrowed it down to are Greeks, Russians, and Hermanns... We want smallish, easyish, and appropriate for the climate in western WA. I like leopards too - but they seem not as awesome for newbies. I'm kind of leaning towards a Greek or Hermanns...

Our local petco and petsmart have Russians (which they claim are captive bred - ya right). I really would prefer captive bred... Craigslist has several Russians looking for homes, but honestly I'd rather not inherit someone else's health and welfare mistakes... Would rather start with a clean slate and optimize health and welfare for it's lifetime! So I think we'll be getting a baby/juvenile from tortoise supply...

Sorry if this is not very articulate - on my phone and constantly being interrupted by children!!!
 

ChloeCrull

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Oct 20, 2014
Messages
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Location (City and/or State)
Fresno, California
Hi there!

It's nice to see another friendly face on the Tortoise Forum.

7 chickens? That's amazing! My mother was raised in England, and her family worked on a farm with 60,000 chickens! Bawk-bawk!

I've never had experience with Greeks, but Hermanns are a bundle of cuteness (but all tortoises are, really!).

I was lucky enough to adopt a captive bred female Russian from Whitie's Pets. It was a rare find, and I couldn't be happier with my little runt (she's a handful...er...shellful!).

I'm pretty sure that Hermanns are smaller than Greeks. You wouldn't believe the amount of changes you'll make to your habitat after reading all of the helpful posts regarding tortoises. Trust me; I don't use any more items from the pet stores I originally purchased except for the logs and "caves." I would try to stay as small as possible for a beginner (but it's up to you in the end!).

If you are still having trouble locating a local vet, try this link:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/forums/tortoise-vet-list.126/

You can also read these enclosure links for some ideas to get you guys started:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/ideas-for-indoor-enclosures.65798/

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/ideas-for-outdoor-enclosures.65797/

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/new-setup-good-read-for-beginners.661/ (My favorite, most recommended, especially due to the totes)

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/cheap-easy-simple-sunning-enclosure.14680/
 

mike taylor

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Leopards are awesome! Plus they are beautiful! Plus we have members here on the forum that sell them . That way you know what you are getting . How can you pass up beautiful tortoises like these! I just made it harder for you to decide . Haha Just you wait . You will get one then the next thing you know you will have ten . Haha Welcome to TFO! Are you turtley enough for the tortoise forum?
 

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Kimmers000

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I have a sea turtle tattooed on my foot, does that make me turtley enough???? :p

You guys are no help at the narrowing down process..... Arrrrrgh!

Thanks for the links - just gotta wait til I can wrestle the laptop away from kids and read without shorties trying to see what I'm doing!
 

Jodie

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Spokane Valley WA
Good luck on your decision. I am over in Spokane Valley and keep Leopards. It is definitely a challenge keeping an 18 pound tortoise in my house for winter. My tortoises have a bedroom in my house and are out growing it. Hatchlings are a challenge. Less chance of any mistakes you make being fatal, if you go with an older animal.
 

stinax182

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Welcome to the forum!

All my pets are rescues or good pets that needed new homes. I'm a sucker for needy animals, and there are a lot of torts in that situation. If you ask the right questions, you will not get someone else's messed up tort. They may need a diet change and a vet check possibly but adult torts are easier to care for than babies. They have a much bigger margin of error when it comes to husbandry and enclosures. I urge you to look at the ads and see how they took care of their tort.... You may be surprised.
 

leigti

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southeast Washington
Welcome to the forum. I also live in Washington, the Eastside. I have a Russian tortoise and a box turtle. They are both great and have tons of personality. The care for Russians, Greeks, and Herman's is about the same. hatchlings and babies do take more work and are more fragile but if you want to make sure they are raised correctly than that is the way to go. this forum is full of great information so keep reading and researching. I personally would like at least one member of just about every tortoise species I've ever seen :) so I know it is difficult to choose. I will warn you, once you get one you suddenly want more. By the way, you have probably already been told this but never leave your dogs alone with your tortoise, the dogs think they are great you toys. I have a box turtle given to me that was chewed on by dogs. Keep asking questions, and once you get your little tortoise don't forget to give us a lot of pictures, we love pictures around here :)
 

ChloeCrull

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Oct 20, 2014
Messages
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Location (City and/or State)
Fresno, California
I have a sea turtle tattooed on my foot, does that make me turtley enough???? :p

You guys are no help at the narrowing down process..... Arrrrrgh!

Thanks for the links - just gotta wait til I can wrestle the laptop away from kids and read without shorties trying to see what I'm doing!

My mother has a sea turtle tattoo on her foot from our Hawaii vacation...hmm...chickens and sea turtle tattoos connected...lost sisters!?
 

Grandpa Turtle 144

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Kimmers000
Thank you for the " like" and for the Tatoo ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1418275326.957412.jpg
What size tort are you thinking about ? ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1418275458.953751.jpg
 
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