I had never considered having torts or turtles for pets. Untill that is one day over 6 years ago. I was in a theme park where they often bring animals out to visit with guests. I can still remember my first encounter with a keeper walking a redfoot down the walkway. The tortoise swung his head toward a group of bushes, the keeper looked down and said "hey skittles , you be good now" as if on que the tortoise looked right up at her. It was like a dog responding to a master. I stopped to talk to the keeper about this little guy cause there was obviously more then met the eye to this relationship. I found out these guys (some of them ) really like the attention, that they liked walks and exploring new things. This little redfoot actually seemed to pick people out that had gathered arround to go see or meet. They had real personalities which I had never considered before. As I spent more time there I noticed how much the golopogos tortoise enjoyed visits from the zoo campers (kids that learn what it's like to be zoo keepers). One male in particular was very freindly with the kids and always approached them with his head stretched way out for a neck rub, and a carrot from the pocket of the keeper didn't hurt either. The other tortoises would often gather arround the kids too, but this one male never missed his chance. Sometimes he would even walk up to the fence so guests could pet him. Although their loud mating rituals almost cured me of my new found love, lol I decided to see if there were smaller more appropriate tortoises for someone like me to own. I definately did not want one that I needed a crane to get to the vet. I decided I did not want to mess with live food. And so eventually my research led me to the little russian. Perfect size, easy to feed, and in general living down here easy to get all the sunshine they need. Now just how hooked am I? ohh I got it bad. Even after two years of ownership I am constantly looking for new ways to improve their living quarters.
For instance we house hunting. LOL we found this house with a pool tile through out and a fire place. BUT I was attracted to the screened porch with a small doggie door. I looked out the brick patio on the outside and back at the doggie door and of course the nice space I could set up an indoor enclosure in the screen area. My husband saw me looking hard and tells the relator this is the one we will put an offer in on. She says because of a doggie door? My husband says oh yeah I can already see what she is thinking. She's thinking an nice big enclosure outside with sand and dirt built up to the doggie door and a nice big enclosure in here, filled of course with smooth river rock so her tortoises can come and go at will. I can just see her now sitting in her patio chair enjoying the torts and thinking they have so much space now maybe it's time to add some more to the herd. LOL He was exactly right! the only thing better then my kids and torts is a hubby who understands me. True story guys. And we are currently waiting to see if our offer on the house is going to get accepted.
For instance we house hunting. LOL we found this house with a pool tile through out and a fire place. BUT I was attracted to the screened porch with a small doggie door. I looked out the brick patio on the outside and back at the doggie door and of course the nice space I could set up an indoor enclosure in the screen area. My husband saw me looking hard and tells the relator this is the one we will put an offer in on. She says because of a doggie door? My husband says oh yeah I can already see what she is thinking. She's thinking an nice big enclosure outside with sand and dirt built up to the doggie door and a nice big enclosure in here, filled of course with smooth river rock so her tortoises can come and go at will. I can just see her now sitting in her patio chair enjoying the torts and thinking they have so much space now maybe it's time to add some more to the herd. LOL He was exactly right! the only thing better then my kids and torts is a hubby who understands me. True story guys. And we are currently waiting to see if our offer on the house is going to get accepted.