Thinking of purchasing a tortoise

[azgardezi]

Hello everyone. Hope all's going well with you experts. .

I have been keeping Singaporean Red Eared Turtles throughout my life but I suppose I always fancied having a tortoise. Now about is the time when I'm considering keeping one. I have a choice of purchasing either an Indian Star or a African Sulcata. I have never kept either one so I need expert help in deciding which one would be the best option. The following are the questions that require answering.

1. Which one of these two breeds is hard to take care of in terms of diet, ?

2. Is either of them friendly towards the owner? As in does any one of the two actually have the instinct to recognize its owner?

3. Which one of these two is more active (but will not try to escape )

4. Which breed grows faster in size ?

5. Are there any problems associated with these two breeds?

Thank so you much in advance for your time and advise.

Ali.

 

[Jacqui]

Hi and welcome! Instead of first answering your questions, I have one for you as I feel it is perhaps the most important one... do you have the room to house a tortoise that can easily get to 100 pounds if not more? One who can be very destructive on yards and walls (not all do, but enough do to make it a required question). That means you need a pretty large yard with strong walls or fencing around it. If it is a no to any of these questions, then cross the sulcata off your list right from the start.

 

[azgardezi]

Woah, 100 pounds is massive ! Do they grow that fast ? :O

'No' is the answer to many questions you have asked. I am more interested in keeping an indoor tortoise, preferably the growth of which is quite slow.

 

[stinax182]

Re: RE: Thinking of purchasing a tortoise

hey there! welcome to the forum! let me say, it is such a good move to research before buying a pet! especially one that can outlive you.

the two tortoises you're interested in are very different in care, size, temperament, diet and price.

here is a good read for people thinking of buying a sulcata
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-11012.html

a quick google search of star tortoises caresheets will show you what it takes to care for a star. your best bet is it do your research on both.

 

[Jacqui]

Woah, 100 pounds is massive ! Do they grow that fast ? :O

'No' is the answer to many questions you have asked. I am more interested in keeping an indoor tortoise, preferably the growth of which is quite slow.

Sulcata grow very fast when they are young, and then slow growth once they are larger.

I don't think ANY tortoise showed be inside all it's life. Of the two you did mention, the star would be "more" of an indoor tortoise then the sulcata.

 

[Tom]

Where are you?

You have chosen two species that are on very opposites of the spectrum with regard to size, growth, personality and hardiness.

Let's try a different tactic: Tell us where you are (climate), and tell us more about what you would like in a pet tortoise as far as personality, ease of care, expense, appearance, etc.

 

[azgardezi]

Woah, 100 pounds is massive ! Do they grow that fast ? :O

'No' is the answer to many questions you have asked. I am more interested in keeping an indoor tortoise, preferably the growth of which is quite slow.

Sulcata grow very fast when they are young, and then slow growth once they are larger.

I don't think ANY tortoise showed be inside all it's life. Of the two you did mention, the star would be "more" of an indoor tortoise then the sulcata.

Thanks

 

[azgardezi]

Where are you?

You have chosen two species that are on very opposites of the spectrum with regard to size, growth, personality and hardiness.

Let's try a different tactic: Tell us where you are (climate), and tell us more about what you would like in a pet tortoise as far as personality, ease of care, expense, appearance, etc.

Thanks for the
South Asia, Pakistan to be exact. Centrally located, experiencing all 4 seasons and the 5th one (monsoon) as well. Currently we are going through one heck of a winter spree.

 

[azgardezi]

Where are you?

You have chosen two species that are on very opposites of the spectrum with regard to size, growth, personality and hardiness.

Let's try a different tactic: Tell us where you are (climate), and tell us more about what you would like in a pet tortoise as far as personality, ease of care, expense, appearance, etc.

Personality - friendly, active.
Appearance - I like the shell appearance of the Sulcata and Star. We don't really have other tortoise varieties available locally besides leopard I think. These three varieties prevail the local tort market.

Growth - Slow growth definitely.

Hardiness - definitely, since we face 5 seasons here, to the extreme level.

Expense, not an issue since I believe picking up a 'lesser expensive' tortoise who is unable to cope with my requirements and ending up sick is not justified.

 

[azgardezi]

Plus I keep seeing the use of UV bulbs for their basking. They aren't readily available here (or I don't seem to know what the local name for these bulbs is). Is there an alternate which can be used?

 

[Tom]

Sounds like you are in an ideal place for a russian tortoise. They grow slowly and stay relatively small. Their personalities are usually very outgoing and bold. They come from some very harsh areas in the wild, including Northeastern Pakistan, and they tolerate and thrive under a wide variety of care routines and climates. Sounds like a perfect fit for you.


The best alternative to artificial UV bulbs, really the best UV source there is, is natural sunshine. Build a large safe secure outdoor enclosure and put your tortoise outside whenever weather permits.

 

[azgardezi]

Sounds like you are in an ideal place for a russian tortoise. They grow slowly and stay relatively small. Their personalities are usually very outgoing and bold. They come from some very harsh areas in the wild, including Northeastern Pakistan, and they tolerate and thrive under a wide variety of care routines and climates. Sounds like a perfect fit for you.


The best alternative to artificial UV bulbs, really the best UV source there is, is natural sunshine. Build a large safe secure outdoor enclosure and put your tortoise outside whenever weather permits.

Thank you Tom. I'll look into it.

 

[azgardezi]

What do Russian tortoises eat? And how should I go about building an indoor enclosure for it? Does it have to be of wood? and what simple substrate can be placed in the box?


P.S. I can't seem to find a UV bulb here. Is there an alternate I can look at?

 

[Tom]

Russian tortoises eat primarily broadleaf weeds. You can look at the threads here in the plant ID section, or you can take samples to a local nursery for ID help. If possible, once you read up on which ones are good, you can start to figure out which ones are in your area. You can also order seeds and grow your own.

You can build your tortoise table with any non toxic material you want. Wood is one of the easiest to work with over here. For substrate you can use the dirt from outside as long as its suitable.

If your tortoise gets regular sunshine for most of the year, you don't need any artificial UV bulbs.

 

[azgardezi]

As far as the substrate goes, I don't have dirt available. Can paper shreds be used instead?

 

[Tom]

I would not recommend that.

I like orchid bark or coco coir for indoor enclosures. Do you have either of those?

When you build an outdoor enclosure won't that be on dirt? Can you take a shovel and some buckets and collect some good clean dirt from a chemical free area?

 

[azgardezi]

I would not recommend that.

I like orchid bark or coco coir for indoor enclosures. Do you have either of those?

When you build an outdoor enclosure won't that be on dirt? Can you take a shovel and some buckets and collect some good clean dirt from a chemical free area?

Probably can do that sir. Yes, coconut coir is available here at the local fruit marts.

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How many hours a day do I need to keep a tortoise exposed to sunlight ? I mean is it necessary to expose it to sunlight everyday, or it can be weekly or something?