what type of tortoise would you recommend

[cmacusa3]

My friend came over and loves my sulcata and now wants to get a tortoise. He doesn't want anything that gets really big. He wants something that will be active and have a good personality. What would everyone recommend?

 

[tortdad]

It depends on what climate you guys live in. Russians are very Harty, stay small and make great beginner level torts. Redfoots get a little bigger (about 14") have great personalities but require more attention to detail as they are tropical and need higher humidity.


0.0.1 Redfoot (Spike)
0.0.1 Cherryhead Redfoot (Bruce Wayne)
1.0 Sulcata (Hal Jordan)

 

[cmacusa3]

Oklahoma with very hot and humid summers and then winter we will have some freezing temps.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

I'd go with a Greek. They stay smaller, so are easily housed indoors over winter (or if he wants to hibernate, that oky too) but can tolerate hotter 100+ temps if it's necessary!
Here you go
Specifics-
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Turtles-Tortoises/Greek-Tortoise/
General-
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/Basicmedcare.htm

 

[juli11]

Interesting tortoises are also I. forstenii. They don't get really big and have a awesome personality.
Otherwise T. kleinmanni are beautiful tortoises. But I think they are a little bit to expensive in your country.
Could you keep your tortoise in the winter into an indoor enclosure? Or do you want to keep them all time outdoor in a greenhouse or something like that?

 

[cmacusa3]

My guess is he would be kept indoors during the winter, Its one of my friends looking for one. I have enough if that's possible.

 

[juli11]

Ok yes do you have any criteria for the tortoise kind? Habitat, food, size,tropical/dry etc. normally you could keep every tortoise kind outdoor in the summer and if he can keep the tortoise in the could mouths indoor it would be helpful.

 

[dmmj]

The great debate rages on. Russians are often described as little sulcatas, personality wise. So that would be my suggestion.