Small beginner tortoise?

[adamlikesbananas]

I currently own a musk turtle and an RES but I've been studying a bit on tortoises and I've decided that i want one. I want a tortoise that is very small being that I don't want to have a giant enclosure, but I also want a tortoise that is decently easy to care for. I am mostly concerned with the size of the tortoise though.
I've heard that a good rule of thumb for enclosure size is 10 times the tortoises length and 5 times his width, is this true? I plan on keeping my tortoises main enclosure indoors but i will set up an outdoor pen to put him in a few times a week for a few hours.

 

[JoesMum]

What size enclosure can you accomodate and are we talking indoors or out?

Tortoises grow. Some get bigger than others. Some roam more than others. Russians are very tolerant, but need lots of space as they grow up. I have never heard your rule of thumb and will be interested in what others say.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

I would shoot for a russian tortoise. They fit your tortoise size requirements as well as ease of care. As for indoor habitat goes, remember-bigger is always better than an equation. All tortoises are roamers and this habit requires a large enclosure to satisfy. In my opinion, an outdoor enclosure is very much needed, at least spring-fall, for more natural behavior which leads to a happier tortoise and a happier keeper.

 

[kanalomele]

Most of the Testudo species would meet your requirements. Russian, or Greek for example. However the need for an outdoor enclosure cannot be overstated. Russians in particular are a small species but roams one of the largest territories of all tortoises. They can get very frustrated and become annoying with the constant attempts to climb out of a too small enclosure.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

Not to mention the hazards of flipping over on their backs when climbing.

 

[adamlikesbananas]

Most of the Testudo species would meet your requirements. Russian, or Greek for example. However the need for an outdoor enclosure cannot be overstated. Russians in particular are a small species but roams one of the largest territories of all tortoises. They can get very frustrated and become annoying with the constant attempts to climb out of a too small enclosure.

I will have an outdoor enclosure but I cannot keep him/her outdoor all the time because I live in the country part of Louisiana and there are ALOT of critters and stray animals that I am afraid would chew through any fence/wire I use to cover his outdoor habitat. If I did keep him outside then I would have to take him in at night. Also as surprising as it sounds, our winters can get as cold as 25 degrees and even with a heat lamp I think it would still be too cold.

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What size enclosure can you accomodate and are we talking indoors or out?

Tortoises grow. Some get bigger than others. Some roam more than others. Russians are very tolerant, but need lots of space as they grow up. I have never heard your rule of thumb and will be interested in what others say.

I would say about a 5x3 ft enclosure is the biggest I can go indoors.

 

[pam]

Russians are awesome

 

[adamlikesbananas]

Russians are awesome

Yes! I've decided to get a russian tortoise! I know how to take care of one too! but im a little confused on the space it needs. I've heard that a 4x4 habitat is big enough for an adult russian, is this true?

 

[7oasty23]

Russians are awesome

Yes! I've decided to get a russian tortoise! I know how to take care of one too! but im a little confused on the space it needs. I've heard that a 4x4 habitat is big enough for an adult russian, is this true?

I have a 4 by 6, and he seems quite pleased with it.

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Russians are awesome

Yes! I've decided to get a russian tortoise! I know how to take care of one too! but im a little confused on the space it needs. I've heard that a 4x4 habitat is big enough for an adult russian, is this true?

I have a 4 by 6, and he seems quite pleased with it.

Sorry, 2 by 6.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

But a 3x5 would probably be fine. Place boards at an angle to remove the corner which they use to climb.

 

[adamlikesbananas]

But a 3x5 would probably be fine. Place boards at an angle to remove the corner which they use to climb.

Thanks Cowboy Ken!

 

[JoesMum]

3 x5 sounds ridiculously small for an adult Russian. It would go nuts trying to roam! An immature one would handle that size, but not an adult.

Please remember that these creatures have a life expectancy of 50 years plus in captivity. By 10 years, or even before, I would be expecting trouble in a small enclosure

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

My isolation tub for russians that I get in is2'x4'. This is for adults. Do they like it compared to the great outdoors? No. For a lone adult russian, the increased floor space provided by 3'x5' is, in my opinion, fine for an adult. That would be one which also is able to get outside in the real world regularly.
Mind you this is just my opinion and experience with the 8 adults I currently have, as well as the multitudes I've kept in the past and set up for people.

 

[animalfreak]

I did research on a Russian and I think you made a good choice. I bought a Sulcata but their size I just can't handle so I might consider gettin an RT.

 

[adamlikesbananas]

I did research on a Russian and I think you made a good choice. I bought a Sulcata but their size I just can't handle so I might consider gettin an RT.

Yeah I looked at some Sulcata's but they are WAY too big for me too! lol

 

[animalfreak]

Yeah I probably should have gotten a Russian.

 

[JennBell0725]

I live in rural swla so I know what you mean about critters but luckily most are nocturnal. I dont see why you cant have an outdoor enclosure though plenty of critters are kept outdoor and safe just use chicken wire or hardware cloth. After all it keeps chickens safe and im betting they taste better than tortoise.

☆Jenn☆ and The Sulcata Hatchies, Cera, Ducky, and Spike!

 

[adamlikesbananas]

I live in rural swla so I know what you mean about critters but luckily most are nocturnal. I dont see why you cant have an outdoor enclosure though plenty of critters are kept outdoor and safe just use chicken wire or hardware cloth. After all it keeps chickens safe and im betting they taste better than tortoise.

☆Jenn☆ and The Sulcata Hatchies, Cera, Ducky, and Spike!

thanks! I'll see what I can do.

 

[Moozillion]

Chicken wire will be useless against things like raccoons and other serious tort predators. The wire Hardware cloth affords much better protection, IMHO.

 

[JennBell0725]

Just depends on the gauge of wire used.

☆Jenn☆ and The Sulcata Hatchies, Cera, Ducky, and Spike!