If not a Sulcata...

[mikeylazer]

So I posted earlier that I live in Maryland and am looking to buy a Sulcata. The things I like about Sulcatas are the size, the personality, and just the species in general really interests me. So what I want to know is if there is a better tortoise to get for living in a place with cold winters and cold falls? If not a Sulcata what should I get?

 

[mike taylor]

A Russian tortoise acts like a mini sulcata . You can keep it indoors in a 4/8 enclosure in winter .

 

[dmmj]

You will want to go smaller, but big personality. Russian should fit the bill nicely.

 

[mikeylazer]

Are there any that are still bigger that might be better? I am not a huge fan of the really small tort species. I really like the big guys.

 

[wellington]

A sulcata, if you have the sources, like money, can live very happy in the cold, snowy states just as well as any other state. Just takes us more money and bigger sheds

 

[mikeylazer]

A sulcata, IG you have the sources, like money, can live very happy in the cold, snowy states just as well as any other state. Just takes us more money and bigger sheds.

I am pretty set on getting one I just wanted to see if there were other options people had. When everyone tells me I need the money for it, how expensive is it really in the winter.

 

[mike taylor]

A red footed tortoise can get 12/16 inches .

 

[wellington]

I am pretty set on getting one I just wanted to see if there were other options people had. When everyone tells me I need the money for it, how expensive is it really in the winter.

As a baby not much, you will keep it in the house for the two years most likely. As a larger tort, that depends on how you heat it and how expensive your electric is in your area. My electric bill is approx. $286.00 in the winter. That's house and tort shed. That's probably about 186.00 give or take a little over my normal bill without a tort shed and all the lights. I live in Chicago Illinois.

 

[dmmj]

Aldabras get much bigger than sulcatas, but they are very exspensive, around 1800$ or so.

 

[dmmj]

Leopards get big, but not as big as sulcatas.

 

[mike taylor]

I have a tortoise shed with two heated boxes in it and a ac unit set on 80 so it doesn't get any warmer that that . Inside the boxes I have small heaters and humidifiers on thermostats . It cost around 100.00 $ bucks a month to run the shed . Then I have another box for two 70 lbs sulcatas it runs another 40.00 $ to heat give or take . Here is what you'll get in 21/22 months of good care .

 

[mikeylazer]

Wow this was a let of help. Thank you guys!