SpiderMax
New Member
Iso Burmese Star or Western Hermann, or outgoing Greek? tortoise (not hatchling). We're hoping for a great pet (with much support) for our animal loving 9yo.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Iso Tort with personality
- Thread starter SpiderMax
- Start date
Welcome to the forum. I went to Stout. do you have an enclosure setup already?
Just keep in mind a tortoise is not like and never will be like a dog or cat. Even a bird, ferret or chinchilla or some lizards are more pet like than a tortoise.
Also be prepared to care for the tortoise or any animal yourself as kids can get bored once the excitement wears out.
All the smaller species you mentioned still needs a good size enclosure. Minimum of a 4x8 and not allowed to roam your house floors. A summer enclosure outside is best too.
Good luck, look in out for sale and adoption sections.
Also be prepared to care for the tortoise or any animal yourself as kids can get bored once the excitement wears out.
All the smaller species you mentioned still needs a good size enclosure. Minimum of a 4x8 and not allowed to roam your house floors. A summer enclosure outside is best too.
Good luck, look in out for sale and adoption sections.
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- Jul 16, 2014
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- 29,971
- Location (City and/or State)
- South Eastern Florida (U.S.A.)/Rock Hill S.C.
Males seem to be more personable and more interactive with their keepers.
In my opinion, male tortoises make the best solitary pets.
They're also less expensive.
In my opinion, male tortoises make the best solitary pets.
They're also less expensive.
SpiderMax
New Member
Thanks! We do have one on order
Please read the care sheets on the forum, and ask questions.
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2014
- Messages
- 29,971
- Location (City and/or State)
- South Eastern Florida (U.S.A.)/Rock Hill S.C.
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
Very helpful stuff here
Last edited:
SpiderMax
New Member
We just read through that - great info!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...
Very helpful stuff here
Wonderful, it's a lot however so helpful. There are responsible breeders on the forum once you narrow down the type of tortoise you want.
Renee_H
Well-Known Member
I’ve heard western hermanns are awesome! I originally thought I’d go with one of those. I then learned about Burmese stars and they seem super cool too. I don’t know much about Greeks. I love that you’re doing this for your son. I have an animal loving daughter whose interest waned pretty quickly, but my tort was for me all along. If you get them set up right I don’t feel the care is all that involved esp for an adult. Ultimately I found a leopard tortoise. It was important to me that I find an adult and not a hatchling or juvenile. I don’t really consider my tort to be a pet in the same way as our dogs. But then again I don’t consider our fish pets either. They’re both more for observation, setting them up and observing them do their thing. Here’s my girl understanding her assignment. GL and welcome!!
SpiderMax
New Member
Pretty girl! And thanks! We aren't really looking for a hatchling, but may be going that route - if we think we can care for it well.
Renee_H
Well-Known Member
That’s where I found myself and switched torts. I love watching everyone raised hatchlings! I’m sure you’ll have a great experience if you stick here and learn from the best!
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
The best advice I can give is to have the enclosure all set up and ready before getting your tortoise. The first few weeks the tortoise might be stressed from the environment change, so you won't see it's real personality until later.
SpiderMax
New Member
Gift given and we have a very excited kiddo!
We're ordered an enclosure from Mark, and a Spring 23 Burmese Star from tortoise supply, and Tyler is holding on to tort until we have the setup ready.
We want to make sure all is ready (and we're new to this) - how did this look for my next shopping list?
Substrate - reptibark, orchid bark
Hide - half log about 6x8x3
Slate for basking
Moss - sphagnum or tererium Spanish moss?
Terra Cotta tray for water
Something flat to put food on
Some spider plants in tiny Terra Cotta pots to get the environment started
Thoughts?
Hello!
Using moss is not necessary but when ingested in large amounts it can cause impaction.
For feeding you can get another terracotta saucer or slate piece (or both).
Also, you might want to make a second hide (one on the warm side and another on the cold side). E.g. half of the flower pot buried in substrate.
Make sure you have enough substrate - it's about 4 cu.ft. to make a 4" layer.
Using moss is not necessary but when ingested in large amounts it can cause impaction.
For feeding you can get another terracotta saucer or slate piece (or both).
Also, you might want to make a second hide (one on the warm side and another on the cold side). E.g. half of the flower pot buried in substrate.
Make sure you have enough substrate - it's about 4 cu.ft. to make a 4" layer.
Hi and welcome! Just a little tiny remark: when is a hide not a hide? When it's open on every side. If I wanted to hide, it would be because I wanted to be invisible, not exposed under a half log. Hides should be warm and dark, with one entrance just big enough for the tortoise to go through. IMO.
SpiderMax
New Member
Thank you!
SpiderMax
New Member
Good thought - maybe a second hide that is a bit more hideableHi and welcome! Just a little tiny remark: when is a hide not a hide? When it's open on every side. If I wanted to hide, it would be because I wanted to be invisible, not exposed under a half log. Hides should be warm and dark, with one entrance just big enough for the tortoise to go through. IMO.
