Is my thinking over-the-top?

[PotentialTort]

Hi everyone! This is my first post as we are in the lengthy planning process and considering a tortoise as a family friend.
We’ve had other reptiles such as bearded dragons in the past and I’ve been very stressed out having them due to the potential for us or the kids to get sick.
Before we make the final decision to get a tort I’d like to know true stories of how everyone else who are real tortoise owners manage this. When you read stuff it’s always just a “disinfect and it’s fine” but to know what it looks like for others is what I’m looking for.

These might be over-the-top so please be honest with me!

If your tortoise ventures around your home and doesn’t make any messes do you honestly disinfect all of your floors after each time??
What do you wash with? Antibacterial of some kind??

How are you bathing them when they get messy so that any bacterial infections aren’t stuck on them? Water only surely wouldn’t kill those?

Do you change your clothes if you’ve held your tortoise or had it sitting on you??

What about these people I see with their reptiles on their beds?? Are you changing all of your bedding after this?

Are you careful to not touch anything around your home after handling your pet until you wash hands? Like don’t touch your phone, the couch, have a drink of water if you’re sitting down with it? Anything really.

Yes, I have some OCD and have worked very hard to get past the need to scrub floors and surfaces daily as it is. My kids do eat snacks if they drop something. They play and roll around on the floor.
What is the reality here. Does anyone not put as much seriousness into immediately scrubbing the house as what I’ve read? What would be the point in having a pet that every single time you want to spend time with it you need to start a full cleaning job right after? Maybe what I’ve read is highly unrealistic and that’s why I’m here looking for real people’s routines so I can make an informed decision and give a potential tortoise the best life possible if we get one!
Thank you all!

 

[zovick]

Hi everyone! This is my first post as we are in the lengthy planning process and considering a tortoise as a family friend.
We’ve had other reptiles such as bearded dragons in the past and I’ve been very stressed out having them due to the potential for us or the kids to get sick.
Before we make the final decision to get a tort I’d like to know true stories of how everyone else who are real tortoise owners manage this. When you read stuff it’s always just a “disinfect and it’s fine” but to know what it looks like for others is what I’m looking for.

These might be over-the-top so please be honest with me!

If your tortoise ventures around your home and doesn’t make any messes do you honestly disinfect all of your floors after each time??
What do you wash with? Antibacterial of some kind??

How are you bathing them when they get messy so that any bacterial infections aren’t stuck on them? Water only surely wouldn’t kill those?

Do you change your clothes if you’ve held your tortoise or had it sitting on you??

What about these people I see with their reptiles on their beds?? Are you changing all of your bedding after this?

Are you careful to not touch anything around your home after handling your pet until you wash hands? Like don’t touch your phone, the couch, have a drink of water if you’re sitting down with it? Anything really.

Yes, I have some OCD and have worked very hard to get past the need to scrub floors and surfaces daily as it is. My kids do eat snacks if they drop something. They play and roll around on the floor.
What is the reality here. Does anyone not put as much seriousness into immediately scrubbing the house as what I’ve read? What would be the point in having a pet that every single time you want to spend time with it you need to start a full cleaning job right after? Maybe what I’ve read is highly unrealistic and that’s why I’m here looking for real people’s routines so I can make an informed decision and give a potential tortoise the best life possible if we get one!
Thank you all!

It is not a good idea to let your tortoise walk around loose in your house, and this is for the health and well-being of the tortoise, not your family.

If you do enough reading on this site, you will find many posts detailing the "accidents" which have befallen peoples' tortoises and/or the problems which have been encountered when the tortoise found an interesting non-food item to eat on the floor.

 

[P Birch]

If your tortoise ventures around your home and doesn’t make any messes do you honestly disinfect all of your floors after each time??

Greetings!

I wouldn't let a tortoise venture around your home. My concern would be for the tortoise more than the humans! Lots could go wrong there.

How are you bathing them when they get messy so that any bacterial infections aren’t stuck on them? Water only surely wouldn’t kill those?

Young tortoises are regularly soaked for hydration purposes: lots of information is available on this site regarding this topic. I am not familiar with tortoise bathing beyond that.

Do you change your clothes if you’ve held your tortoise or had it sitting on you??

No. Wouldn't recommend a tortoise sitting on you! Again, my concern would be for the tortoise. This sounds like cat territory!

 

[RandyTortoise]

Hi everyone! This is my first post as we are in the lengthy planning process and considering a tortoise as a family friend.
We’ve had other reptiles such as bearded dragons in the past and I’ve been very stressed out having them due to the potential for us or the kids to get sick.
Before we make the final decision to get a tort I’d like to know true stories of how everyone else who are real tortoise owners manage this. When you read stuff it’s always just a “disinfect and it’s fine” but to know what it looks like for others is what I’m looking for.

These might be over-the-top so please be honest with me!

If your tortoise ventures around your home and doesn’t make any messes do you honestly disinfect all of your floors after each time??
What do you wash with? Antibacterial of some kind??

How are you bathing them when they get messy so that any bacterial infections aren’t stuck on them? Water only surely wouldn’t kill those?

Do you change your clothes if you’ve held your tortoise or had it sitting on you??

What about these people I see with their reptiles on their beds?? Are you changing all of your bedding after this?

Are you careful to not touch anything around your home after handling your pet until you wash hands? Like don’t touch your phone, the couch, have a drink of water if you’re sitting down with it? Anything really.

Yes, I have some OCD and have worked very hard to get past the need to scrub floors and surfaces daily as it is. My kids do eat snacks if they drop something. They play and roll around on the floor.
What is the reality here. Does anyone not put as much seriousness into immediately scrubbing the house as what I’ve read? What would be the point in having a pet that every single time you want to spend time with it you need to start a full cleaning job right after? Maybe what I’ve read is highly unrealistic and that’s why I’m here looking for real people’s routines so I can make an informed decision and give a potential tortoise the best life possible if we get one!
Thank you all!

Tortoises are very clean. I have never heard of anyone getting sick from a tortoise.

For me, we take out our tortoises and interact with them. They are very friendly and love to have their heads and necks rubbed and love to eat out of your hand. They are super cute when they are hatchlings and it is impossible not to love them. They are so damn cute. As they get older they get use to you and become very friendly. At least mine did. We have leopard tortoises.

Clean, yes. In fact when they are hatchlings you soak them for 30 min each day. They poop in the water so if you are soaking daily their pen never gets dirty.

We don’t put them in our bed (as you mentioned) or let them roam around the house unless we are playing with them. If we aren’t with them and engaging they don’t roam around, they are in their pen or outside in their pen (summers and fall as I am in Illinois).

They are great pets, not dirty or messy and easy to care for if you simply follow a schedule (tortoise love a schedule as I soak and feed them at the same time each day).

The choice of a tortoise, large or small is up to you. Personally, I like a larger tortoise as they are fun to have and easier to engage with. But that means you have to be prepared for a large area to keep them healthy. So I have leopards as they are mid sized in my view. But many people just go with a small Russian tortoise or red foot tortoise which are good choices as well. Personally, I would avoid the sulcata. That is a great tortoise and super friendly and easy to care for, but wow, they get huge really fast and lots of people end up giving them poor care as they don’t have the space or reserves to manage that.

 

[PotentialTort]

It would definitely be supervised. I mean more roaming as in to have more space to walk while we’re with it.
As far as sitting on you, I guess I’m referring to all of the videos I see of people holding their tortoise in their arms etc

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Welcome to the forum!

Either way, tortoises aren't really pets to be handled all the time like cats or dogs. Most of the time your tortoise should stay in it's own secure enclosure.

I agree with above, no roaming about the house. And I wouldn't take my tortoise to my bed, too dangerous for the tortoise in my opinion. Really most of the videos you see online are not showing the best care practices.

 

[PotentialTort]

Thank you for the thoughts! I have some thinking to do now. We do have a large room that we can climate control to house a tortoise as well as a large yard that can be fenced for a safe outdoor home in the warm months! I just have a lot to consider!

 

[catprincx]

Hi everyone! This is my first post as we are in the lengthy planning process and considering a tortoise as a family friend.
We’ve had other reptiles such as bearded dragons in the past and I’ve been very stressed out having them due to the potential for us or the kids to get sick.
Before we make the final decision to get a tort I’d like to know true stories of how everyone else who are real tortoise owners manage this. When you read stuff it’s always just a “disinfect and it’s fine” but to know what it looks like for others is what I’m looking for.

These might be over-the-top so please be honest with me!

If your tortoise ventures around your home and doesn’t make any messes do you honestly disinfect all of your floors after each time??
What do you wash with? Antibacterial of some kind??

How are you bathing them when they get messy so that any bacterial infections aren’t stuck on them? Water only surely wouldn’t kill those?

Do you change your clothes if you’ve held your tortoise or had it sitting on you??

What about these people I see with their reptiles on their beds?? Are you changing all of your bedding after this?

Are you careful to not touch anything around your home after handling your pet until you wash hands? Like don’t touch your phone, the couch, have a drink of water if you’re sitting down with it? Anything really.

Yes, I have some OCD and have worked very hard to get past the need to scrub floors and surfaces daily as it is. My kids do eat snacks if they drop something. They play and roll around on the floor.
What is the reality here. Does anyone not put as much seriousness into immediately scrubbing the house as what I’ve read? What would be the point in having a pet that every single time you want to spend time with it you need to start a full cleaning job right after? Maybe what I’ve read is highly unrealistic and that’s why I’m here looking for real people’s routines so I can make an informed decision and give a potential tortoise the best life possible if we get one!
Thank you all!

Hello! im not as experienced or as knowledged as the others but as someone who also has a level of contamination phobia in my opinion as long as you keep your pets healthy, their enclosure clean and wash your hands after interactions there is no major risk of catching something from them. Unless you're immunocompromised then I would not worry to much. You have more of a chance of catching something from contaminated food than with your pet. Them walking on the floor is like you walking on the floor with outdoor shoes on, I clean my floors often but not just because of my turtle but just for cleanliness because floors are dirty reglardless. Same with changing clothes, wearing your clothes out in the world introduces contaminates so unless the tortoise has an accident on you I wouldnt worry to much, just change before going to bed. When you soak your tortoise have a dedicated container for only soaking purposes and wash the container often, I even have a dedicated sponge for each type of pet ie. one for my mammals, one for my reptiles. I have a bottle of hand sanitizer next to my enclosure that I use right after I interact with my reptiles and then go wash my hands as soon as I can. Tell your kids to wash their hands and no kisses no matter how cute they look.

Im more scared when I have to handle raw meat, especially chicken, than when I interact with my reptiles. To sum up what Im trying to say as long you and your kids are healthy and you keep your tortoise healthy and provide a clean enviroment all you need to do is practice good handwashing to help prevent anything.

 

[Tom]

It would definitely be supervised. I mean more roaming as in to have more space to walk while we’re with it.
As far as sitting on you, I guess I’m referring to all of the videos I see of people holding their tortoise in their arms etc

To answer the title question of the thread: Yes. Way way over the top.

In response to the above quote, we all assume it would be supervised and the advice to never do it still stands. It's not safe and can't be made safe. Many people have had to learn this lesson the hard way. You don't have to. Keep the tortoise in its large enclosures either indoors or outdoors in nice weather.

No one can say there is zero risk of zoonotic infection, but in practice in the real world, it's just not a thing. Can you find some obscure citation somewhere on the internet if you search hard enough? I'm sure you could. I've been surrounded by pet reptiles of all sorts literally since the 80s, and I work with them professionally daily too, and I've never seen or heard of one single case of someone getting sick from a tortoise. None of my doctor or nurse friends and none of my vet friends have ever seen or even heard of a case either. I think you are more likely to be attacked by a shark in the middle of Canada than catch a disease from a pet tortoise, BUT, I will not say it's impossible. Your phone, kitchen counter or keyboard is much more of a risk in my experience.

Here is some current tortoise info to catch you up to speed on the correct care. Most of what you find on the internet will be all wrong, like the videos you mentioned. Questions are welcome. We love talking tortoises here!

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[ecachuh]

Agreeing with what everyone has said above!

I have 3 tortoises. I kiss their shells...yep, their heads too. I crawl around outside with them and kiss them as they walk. The big one likes it lol. I am outside all day with them. I've never gotten sick. When I soak them in the tub indoors, yes I actually clean the tub afterwards because I get into that tub as well (not with the tortoise). That's the only real extra cleaning that I do. I wash my hands throughout the day because I'm digging in the dirt most of the time. Of course I keep the indoor habitat super clean. I have a small Russian tortoise that sleeps inside.

Just always be mindful. Maybe have kids wash their hands (kids always need to wash their hands) lol.

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[Yvonne G]

You need to change your mind set - a tortoise isn't a 'pet.' Tortoises are wild animals. Tortoises as a species haven't endured years of human interaction to make them domesticated. They need a big enough outdoor habitat to allow much walking, as walking aids digestion, just like horses and cows. They need sun to make their calcium ingestion work. They need to be able to graze on edible plants and grasses.

 

[PotentialTort]

Thank you so much! I think one of the comments in particular really hit home for me. I do realize over-the-top worry about these things isn’t the norm. I want to be absolutely certain that a tortoise is something I know every bit about before making the commitment to what will potentially be a responsibility for the rest of my life…and then ensure my kids are involved enough to continue

 

[Anastasia 22]

As far as sitting on you, I guess I’m referring to all of the videos I see of people holding their tortoise in their arms etc

I love to put my tortoise on my stomach. I rub his head, his shell, and he falls asleep right away.

 

[Maggie3fan]

Thank you for the thoughts! I have some thinking to do now. We do have a large room that we can climate control to house a tortoise as well as a large yard that can be fenced for a safe outdoor home in the warm months! I just have a lot to consider!

I am 80 years old and have had bunches of tortoises... I have 2 6ft tort tables in one room, 1 6ft in another and a tortoise shed in the yard which could hold 4 tortoises...
If you have a very nice room and large...6'x10 feet maybe and there's no carpet and nothing to warp in the humidity...tortoises ruin your house I just had to completely paint and pull up carpet in 2 rooms because of the fluid, loose wet substrate the stains red...so much to learn
tortoises are super fun animals, but rarely do they ever bond with a person, they hate to be held, but I do it anyway...expect to get peed on...they don't respond to affection and won't/can/t give it back

If you want a pet who will not respond to you except at feeding time, (when you become the food goddess).you'll clean up floods of pee and poop and won't get a cuddle afterward...If you have kids who want to play with the tort, they kiss one and get salmonella...that's a bad thing...these are not domesticated animals...to him you are a giant predator, he will be afraid of you
I don't mean to discourage you, but tortoises are not touchie feelie...think about snakes or a bearded dragon, a lizard, or a bird.(lol).
easier to care for and you'll get a response back which you wouldn't get from a tortoise...Regardless of what you choose to do...keep us posted and were you to get a tortoise, we would be here to offer you help when you need it...good luck with

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hi everyone! This is my first post as we are in the lengthy planning process and considering a tortoise as a family friend.
We’ve had other reptiles such as bearded dragons in the past and I’ve been very stressed out having them due to the potential for us or the kids to get sick.
Before we make the final decision to get a tort I’d like to know true stories of how everyone else who are real tortoise owners manage this. When you read stuff it’s always just a “disinfect and it’s fine” but to know what it looks like for others is what I’m looking for.

These might be over-the-top so please be honest with me!

If your tortoise ventures around your home and doesn’t make any messes do you honestly disinfect all of your floors after each time??
What do you wash with? Antibacterial of some kind??

How are you bathing them when they get messy so that any bacterial infections aren’t stuck on them? Water only surely wouldn’t kill those?

Do you change your clothes if you’ve held your tortoise or had it sitting on you??

What about these people I see with their reptiles on their beds?? Are you changing all of your bedding after this?

Are you careful to not touch anything around your home after handling your pet until you wash hands? Like don’t touch your phone, the couch, have a drink of water if you’re sitting down with it? Anything really.

Yes, I have some OCD and have worked very hard to get past the need to scrub floors and surfaces daily as it is. My kids do eat snacks if they drop something. They play and roll around on the floor.
What is the reality here. Does anyone not put as much seriousness into immediately scrubbing the house as what I’ve read? What would be the point in having a pet that every single time you want to spend time with it you need to start a full cleaning job right after? Maybe what I’ve read is highly unrealistic and that’s why I’m here looking for real people’s routines so I can make an informed decision and give a potential tortoise the best life possible if we get one!
Thank you all!

Folks have covered everything really well above, definitely don’t let the tortoise roam the floor of your home(unless the room has been specifically adapted and secured for tortoise), they need to be in an environment that best mimics their own.

In terms of germs etc, the risks are no higher than with most reptiles to be honest, or other animals that aren’t domesticated, say if you had chickens or goats, I’d want to give my hands a good wash after petting/handling them, it’s just more sanitary. I wouldn’t let those kind of animals on my bed for the same reasons and it’s definitely no place for a tortoise.

In terms of ‘cleaning’ a tortoise, they require warm water soaks, daily for hatchlings, few times a week for adults.

It would definitely be supervised. I mean more roaming as in to have more space to walk while we’re with it.
As far as sitting on you, I guess I’m referring to all of the videos I see of people holding their tortoise in their arms etc

Again any space tortoise is allowed to roam needs to be specifically adapted&heated for the tortoise, moving obvious hazards out the way and watching him won’t cut it.
They’re definitely more hands off pets, handling should be kept to a minimum, it’s only needed when moving them from enclosures if you have an indoor&outdoor space, when doing physical checks and when giving them a soak.

You might find this thread useful to go over, and feel free to let us know what kind of species you’re thinking of, we can pass on appropriate care sheets

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

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