Wanting to get a tortoise- Need advise for a first timer!!!

[clumsychameleon]

Hey everyone!
I'm new to the tortoise world, and am wanting to get a tortoise as my new pet. I have been doing some research, but I still have some questions to be answered... and who better to ask than the professionals- you guys!! So, I have decided on a Russian tortoise. That much I know. I am pretty sure of what I am going to use to make his/her enclosure. I live in an apartment and am in college and am wondering what I would do with my tortoise during Christmas break. I could take him/her home with me for a month, but would the traveling be detrimental to him/her? What are your favorite types of substrates, foods, and lighting to use for your tortoise? Where is the best place to buy a tortoise from? Any other useful information or advice you have would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi clumsychameleon:

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!

May we know your name and where you are?

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Welcome.

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome.

I highly recommend you take the time to find a captive bred one. The wild caught ones that are typically seen in pet shops are usually full of parasites and some of them can take quite a long time to adapt to captivity. A captive bred one that is several months old at least will give you the best chance of success. There are lots of good breeders here on the forum.

One of the great things about Russians is that they can hibernate through the winter if you let them. You don't have to hibernate them, but you can.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[clumsychameleon]

My name is Alyssa and I'm from North Dakota. Thanks for the breeder advice! Are any of you from the midwest? And if you do, do you ever have problems with having to change temperatures or anything for your tortoise during the winter?

---

Also, is there a specific gender of tortoise I should look for? I believe males are cheaper, but are they any different personality wise?

 

[clumsychameleon]

Hey everyone!
I'm new to the tortoise world, and am wanting to get a tortoise as my new pet. I have been doing some research, but I still have some questions to be answered... and who better to ask than the professionals- you guys!! So, I have decided on a Russian tortoise. That much I know. I am pretty sure of what I am going to use to make his/her enclosure. I live in an apartment and am in college and am wondering what I would do with my tortoise during Christmas break. I could take him/her home with me for a month, but would the traveling be detrimental to him/her? What are your favorite types of substrates, foods, and lighting to use for your tortoise? Where is the best place to buy a tortoise from? Any other useful information or advice you have would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!

Today I took my sulcata in for an x-ray because I noticed he had stopped pooping. I suspected that he was impacted by the rocks that he eats. I have observed him doing this and always try my best to keep him from getting them but he is very determined. I used to keep a cuddlebone in his enclosure and he would eat it. This is a mistake on my part and I feel terrible, I have not been keeping the cuddlebone in there for him because I was away for a year, and he didn't get the care that I was giving him. Well today after looking at his x-ray I saw that his small intestine was completley full off little pebbles. It looked like a string of beads in him. I took him to a specialist in Indianapolis, IN and they are going to have to perform a surgury on him. I hope he makes it. He is a little over 2 years old, Ive had him since he was a hatchling. The cuddlebone is a good source of calcium and will keep them from eating rocks. Just place it in the enclosure and the tort will eat it as needed.

I'm so sorry to hear about your poor tortoise!!! I hope he feels better soon!!! Thank you for the advice!