What made you get your first Tortoise?

[TortoiseCrazy]

What made you get your first Tortoise? or

What inspired you to get into Reptiles etc.?

Thought this would be a cool question to ask.

For me, I always wanted a Tort as a kid. But, knew I wasnt ready to own reptiles. I was too busy with my Cat, Rabbits, and Hamster. Along with the intense goal of being a good Equestrian (eat/sleep/breathe Horsemanship!) Which is still a work in progress decades later ?

I was always inspired by Steve Irwin and Others, like Diane Fossey.. Just kind of connected and loved to see that there were others like me. Who had a passion and respect for all animals. As a kid, that really gave me a drive to always research!

It took a while on narrowing down the right species. That would fit my lifestyle and future barn house. Specifically, a Horsefield Tortoise (naturally that is the species. This equestrian really gravitated towards) I find the Russian Torts. to be really cool. Hoping in the far future to adopt a Sulcata. If I move to a more adequate environment for them

Really excited to read your stories and hope you all have a great day!

 

[Ink]

I begged my grandma for a few years for a box turtle or tortoise, In the early 80 's . For my birthday my friends (with my grandparents permission) got me a turtle. In Chicago they were very rare. No PetSmart or Petco. A three toes box turtle! I had her for over 15 years. Then I got into tortoises. I wanted a larger one but manageable, so Ink my Leopard then after many years, Gilbert my Western Hermann. Then a couple of years later saving Miss.Dexter Persimmons. I think this is how hoarding starts..??

 

[TortoiseCrazy]

I begged my grandma for a few years for a box turtle or tortoise, In the early 80 's . For my birthday my friends (with my grandparents permission) got me a turtle. In Chicago they were very rare. No PetSmart or Petco. A three toes box turtle! I had her for over 15 years. Then I got into tortoises. I wanted a larger one but manageable, so Ink my Leopard then after many years, Gilbert my Western Hermann. Then a couple of years later saving Miss.Dexter Persimmons. I think this is how hoarding starts..??

Thank you for sharing! Box Turtles are so cool (definitely want one..) There is a saying that “horses are like potato chips.. you cant just have one” I can see how that could be applied to Tortoises too. Also, love the names of your little ones ??‍♀️????

 

[Tom]

It was inevitable. August 1975, San Diego Zoo:




My first tortoise was a box turtle in 1979. Tommy turtle.

 

[LasTortugasNinja]

Had a few different turtles as a kid. Wife was complaining about weeds, wishing the dogs would eat the weeds and not the grass... googled weed eaters and tortoises came up. Jokingly told her we should get a tortoise then... she was totally ok with it. So I did a few months of research on them then picked one out (the feistiest one I've seen at a store). Weeds are far fewer, now, but I'm the one digging them up! lol All the weeds are in the unfenced front yard, so I got to get 'em.

My wife is loving that I'm finally doing some of the yardwork! lol

 

[Maggie3fan]

My sister made me...

 

[TortoiseCrazy]

It was inevitable. August 1975, San Diego Zoo:
View attachment 292740



My first tortoise was a box turtle in 1979. Tommy turtle.

That is such a cool photo! Thanks for sharing it!

 

[TortoiseCrazy]

My sister made me...

That sounds exactly like my sister.. Sometimes it works out for the best and an awesome shared hobby??

 

[TortoiseCrazy]

Had a few different turtles as a kid. Wife was complaining about weeds, wishing the dogs would eat the weeds and not the grass... googled weed eaters and tortoises came up. Jokingly told her we should get a tortoise then... she was totally ok with it. So I did a few months of research on them then picked one out (the feistiest one I've seen at a store). Weeds are far fewer, now, but I'm the one digging them up! lol All the weeds are in the unfenced front yard, so I got to get 'em.

My wife is loving that I'm finally doing some of the yardwork! lol

Definitely taking some notes on that! Thank you for sharing your story?

 

[ISU]

About 2 years ago, there was a big accident in which my ankle was completely crushed.I had a really hard time and was very depressed.

At that time, I happened to see Hermann tort on Youtube, and I thought about it for a few months and brought him home. It made me feel happy.

He was with me for about 10 months, but unfortunately he passed away. About 6 months later, I brought a leopard,and I came to this forum.

I take care of my new friend with the help of many veteran keepers here. I want to be with her for a long time!

 

[KBeam]

When I was three, my family went out to the west coast and in Tijuana you could ride giant tortoises. I know it’s awful! But it was a long time ago. I was hooked. Since then tortoises have been my favorite.

 

[MichaelL]

I saw a wild Florida Box turtle and knew I had to get a tortoise/ box turtle.. Some time later I got a russian tortoise, and the addiction began! Still want to buy more!

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

I seen some kids riding tortoises so i figured i could make some money doing bday parties... jk .. ive always loved seeing the sulcatas at the zoo.. how majestic they were and i got older and decided im ready

 

[OkAdiza]

My parents used to bring me and my sisters to a local petting zoo in NoVa when I was really little. It used to have large tortoises the kids were allowed to sit on. My dad says I cried when he tried to put me on, but I only remember falling in love with them ( I probably was scared knowing me). In high school, a friend had a box turtle and it made me remember how much I loved turtles and tortoises again. I bought my first RES when I was in college, but he passed away 3 years later. Fast forward many years, I joked and told my kids to save up and get me a tortoise when I turned 40. My husband surprised me a year early last year, said pick a tortoise, and I got my Hermann’s. Now we also have a RES and a Leopard.