Something I need to know!

[tortgirl123]

This won't change if I'm going to get a Tort or not, I want to know how much money to save up for before I buy my tort/more supplies. I don't want to know what you bought and how much it was. I want to know how much you spent on everything together when you first bought your tort and supplies. Also, how much do you spend on vet appointments?
All of your answers are greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Saleama]

For 2 Sulcata hatchlings I saved $300. Spent half on torts and half on stuff. have not had to see a vet yet but I got an estimate of $30 for a check up visit and evaluation if desired.

 

[tortgirl123]

Awesome!

 

[wellington]

One baby leopard with supplies, at that time, about 3-4 hundred including tort. I too do not have vet bills. However, in my area, just to walk in the door for a reptile vet, it's 95.00. Since I first got him, thousands have been spent for supplies and housing and he's only 2 1/2, but that did include building a shed for him and the Russian I now have.

 

[mike taylor]

The first tortoise I got cost three hundred . The set up cost two hundred . Then I had to take her to the vet because she got sick . The vet cost 50$ bucks per visit . I had to go three times for shots and the meds for worms was 50 $ dollars . The cheapest tortoise I have was a rescue . I got it free from Mr Kelly . It cost me hundred dollars in plywood to fix his outdoor enclosure up . Recycled a pump building for a tortoise house . So point being save a tortoise don't buy one . Save money on start up cost . Or build your setup then get a tortoise . Baby tortoise cost more than adult tortoises . There enclosures grow with them . What type of tortoise are you getting ? Start up cost are different with the tortoise .

 

[Jlant85]

One of the things I should have know before I got my first tortoise. I ended up spending wayyyyyyyyy to much. lol. Just to help you save here are some of the things I buy to save some money.

Enclosure: what ever you do, get this first! Go get a rubber bins and skrew the tank! I know how much more fun it is to see your tortoise when you have a tank but they will out grow this so quickly and you'll just get disappointed. You can get the see through one and it'll just be as great! Also the cool thing is, it's bigger and wayyyyyyy more cheaper!
Cost: $10-40 (depend on the size)

Substrate: when I first got my tortoise, I spent wayyyyy to much on these. I. Bough mulch, coco coir, barks... I mean you name it, I bought it. They ain't cheap! $10 and up on each and there ain't so much. Then I learned about top soil and barks you can buy from Home Depot. Get the one with no chemicals.
Cost: for both, $10 (and they are 3-4 times bigger than one you buy from pet stores)

Lighting gears: sorry but I find this expensive u use mercury vapor bulb. It's the convenience of having one light source that also has heat and UVB. You'll still need to lamps. Night and day lamps.
Cost: bulb $ 35-70 (I buy mine from amazon) x2 lamps $20-40 (depend on the wattage)

So with out the tortoise expect to spend $100 to 150 just for the proper set up alone.

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Also, to save money on the tortoise... Try looking to see if you have a local breeder. They tend to sell them for almost 1/3 less compared to online. And you get I see them first before you buy.