What type of tortoise should I buy?

[DanielBK]

I've been wanting to get a tortoise for a while now, but i don't know what king i should get. I have limited space, but great weather.

I had 2 leopard torts but sadly, they passed (still can't figure out why, but i was at camp and left them with my parents when they passed). I live in Southern California, and as you could imagine, it is hot and dry year round so i was just wondering if there is a type of tortoise that could fit these conditions. Leopards might be too big, and red/yellow foots might not like the dryness... (someone in my neighborhood breeds tortoises, and has a yellow foot that she keeps outside, however it is kind of pyramided) So i was thinking maybe star torts, russian torts, or greek torts.

If you can suggest a relatively pretty to look at, small (under 18 inches) tortoise that is accustomed to dry weather, than please help

 

[Heather H]

Hi and welcome. So many choices good luck.

 

[Tom]

Anything in the Testudo genus will work well for you. Greeks, russians, hermanni or marginated, all fit your bill well and do great here in our SoCal climate. Hermanni also tend to have great personalities and are gorgeous to look at.

 

[DanielBK]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Heather H]

I'm looking into getting a hermanni, Dalmatian. If things go my way .

 

[G-stars]

You can always adopt a desert tortoise from any of the CTTC chapters.

 

[leigti]

I agree that any of the ones in the Mediterranean group would be great. I have a Russian and I think she is great, nothing bothers her and she's very outgoing even with strangers. Russians may not be the prettiest in the group but if that doesn't bother you they are good choice.

 

[leigti]

FYI, none of these tortoises would do good in pairs.

 

[Peytons torts]

I love my Hermanns they have a very cute face and they are just the perfect size my females are around 9 inches and my male is at 5 inches here are some pictures of all of my hermanns I have 5 adults and 2 juviniles

The two last pics are my adults and the first one is my juviniles
With the shoe pic I'm a size 8 so you can see just the exact size

 

[Peytons torts]

I love my Hermanns they have a very cute face and they are just the perfect size my females are around 9 inches and my male is at 5 inches here are some pictures of all of my hermanns I have 5 adults and 2 juviniles View attachment 117218View attachment 117219View attachment 117220

The two last pics are my adults and the first one is my juviniles
With the shoe pic I'm a size 8 so you can see just the exact size

Oh I forgot to add in that shoe pic the females are next to me

 

[Heather H]

What sub species of Hermann are they?

 

[bouaboua]

I love my Hermanns they have a very cute face and they are just the perfect size my females are around 9 inches and my male is at 5 inches here are some pictures of all of my hermanns I have 5 adults and 2 juviniles View attachment 117218View attachment 117219View attachment 117220

The two last pics are my adults and the first one is my juviniles
With the shoe pic I'm a size 8 so you can see just the exact size

You have some very nice trots! ! ! !

 

[Peytons torts]

What sub species of Hermann are they?

They are eastern hermanns

 

[Peytons torts]

They are eastern hermanns

Thanks

 

[Tom]

You can always adopt a desert tortoise from any of the CTTC chapters.

This is a great idea!