Need help choosing a tortoise

[cupuente18]

Hi, I live in Northern California, where it can get pretty hot during the summer and very cold in the winter, it doesn't rain too often. I don't know what kind of tortoise would be able to tolerate all of this as much as possible. I do not have a ton space in my backyard so a sulcata is not an option. Please help!

 

[lismar79]

Consider a russian or a greek tortoise. Both will need shade and heat of course but can stand low 70s temps well.

 

[Gillian M]

Consider a russian or a greek tortoise. Both will need shade and heat of course but can stand low 70s temps well.

Aren't Russian torts the easiest to handle/deal with for beginners?

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome to the forum! Russian tortoises are very good first tortoises. They can withstand your hot summers, then hibernate during the winter.

 

[lismar79]

Aren't Russian torts the easiest to handle/deal with for beginners?

Yep, mine is for sure easiest of my three. Plus they have a big personality!

 

[Tom]

I vote russian too. I'll sell you one after they wake up from hibernation, if you like.

Read these:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[GotTort]

Yes and Russians are freakin adorable!

 

[Gillian M]

Yep, mine is for sure easiest of my three. Plus they have a big personality!

What species are the other two?

 

[lismar79]

What species are the other two?

Sulcata and three toe boxie

 

[vlad21]

I also live in Northern California and I have a Russian! Pretty easy to maintain, although I am new to this. I don't have too much experience but I will say with my own personal experience thus far, I am glad I chose her and not a different breed!

 

[cupuente18]

Thank you guys but my dad and I decided to go with a Leopard tortoise because we're not sure if we'll still be living in Northern California in a few years. He should be arriving on Tuesday! I'm so excited!

 

[BlackFoxSun]

leopards get pretty decent size....nothing like a sulcata but still decent size...but their absolutely gorgeous and i was gonna get one but their to big for the space i have inside. @cupuente18 any pics since its tuesday evening? i got my baby today as well

 

[cupuente18]

It got delayed , FedEx says it might get here tonight or tomorrow... But I will post pictures when I get it!

 

[BlackFoxSun]

my little one almost got delayed to but luckily not....cant wait to see yours...did you get a hatchling or a bigger one?

 

[cupuente18]

They told me it should be about 3 inches, so yeah it's still pretty young

 

[BlackFoxSun]

mine is about that size...where did you get yours? has it arrived yet?

 

[cupuente18]

It got here about 20 minutes ago! He/She actually around 2 inches! Let me get the pictures.

 

[cupuente18]

 

[BlackFoxSun]

cutie! but get him/her off the sand and on something like orchid bark or cypress mulch....sand is not good for any tort even desert ones

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Soak it right away in warm water. Then soak daily. Does it feel cold to you? Please go to the Leopard section and follow the care sheet. Sand causes impaction, generally speaking, get rid of it. BlackFoxSun was correct. Hatchlings sink fast and are not the best choice for a beginner in my opinion. So stay in touch, read and follow the care sheet and remember, welcome and keep hanging around...