What's the best spot for tortoise keeping in America?

[PeanutbuttER]

Well, it's a very very broad question that will differ by species but...

Just for fun. In your opinion, what is the most ideal spot in America for tortoise-keeping? and Why?


Conversely, what's the worst?

 

[DeanS]

Ha! After everything I'm hearing (and to a lesser extent, seeing), it sounds like Phoenix, Arizona is the mecca for tort-keeping in the US!

I would imagine Montana, the Dakotas or the New England area would rank among the worst!

 

[SILVERSTAR]

i would think anywhere wit warm wheather most the year.

 

[onarock]

Hawaii, honestly, no where else even comes close.

 

[Az tortoise compound]

Best places:
Sullies and DT's= PHX,AZ
Most everything else= Hawaii

Worst place:
South dakota, the winds in/ around the Badlands are ridiculous and totally counteract any heat the sun provides.

Just my assumptions really.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Depending on species, Ours do outstanding in Florida.

 

[Tim/Robin]

In my customized tort room!!

 

[Angi]

I think Ramona Ca. might be better than Phoenix AZ. for DTs and Sullys. It is not as dry. doesn't get as cold or as hot. Doesn't Poenix get really cold in the winter? I could be wrong there.

 

[Yvonne G]

Of course, it depends upon what kind of tortoise, but my first choice would be southern California.

 

[GBtortoises]

I would imagine Montana, the Dakotas or the New England area would rank among the worst!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I live next door to New England, in New York State. It's far from the worst! It depends upon what species of tortoise you're talking about. Mediterraneans and Russians do very well here and in fact can be kept outdoors year round if you provide the correct hibernation requirements for them outside. All of my Russians and the majority of my Eastern Hermann's have been hibernating here outdoors for several years. Over the years I have successfully kept and in some cases successfully bred; Redfoots, Elongateds, Burmese Browns, Parrot Beaks, Bowsprits and more. Granted, some species time outdoors is more limited here than in some other climates but they do very well here while outdoors too.

I know from talking with other breeders in the San Diego area that they're tortoises absolutely thrive there.

 

[Greg Knoell]

Southern California is really the most ideal IMO because the extremes are moderate yet adequate for overwhelmingly most species (including humans!), and Southern Florida is probably right there as well. I think Central Arizona (Phoenix Metro, Mesa, Tucson) would be the next best. But a lot depends on species.

I think Arizona is great because here there's a cooler winter which can facilitate winter brumation/seasonal cycles for animals from cooler climates. But the AZ climate also provides a large daily variability (cool nights & morning with warm winter afternoons). From what I've seen many tropical species can functionally thermoregulate throughout the winter using micro climates (natural and man made) and taking advantage of basking throughout the warm winter afternoons. With that said, the only small negative for Arizona tortoise keepers is the same variability often makes it necessary to provide some human manufactured micro climates. These often include sprinkler systems to provide humidity/hydration, heated dens/hides for winter, and covered protection from extreme summer heat. I doubt that much if any of these additional micro climates would be needed in SoCal except maybe sprinklers to provide water.

 

[onarock]

I guess this thread must pertain only to the lower 48? In that case, I would say So.Cal.

 

[chadk]

NOT arizona or southern cali. Too dry. Especially for hatchlings. And more indoor areas will be running A/C, so even more dry. I would coose south east texas to florida. Something with warm and humid weather year round. The other nice thing with that type of climate is that that grass and weeds will grow MUCH better than in a dessert type climate. And for a tort yard, having your grass and weeds grow fast is a huge bonus.

 

[Neal]

Florida = #1
Arizona = #2

Yeah it gets dry here, but for the most part I for one would still keep my hatchlings indoors. With my current set up I have no problem controlling temperatures and humidity. Redfoot's are a little tricky but it can be done.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

You can't grow grass in Arizona so I say SoCal...

 

[Neal]

You can't grow grass in Arizona so I say SoCal...

? I bet we could grow Bermuda as easily as anywhere else. You don't really have to seed it very much here, just water the desert and out grows some Bermuda.

 

[DeanS]

I usually don't speak for others, but if it weren't for strong objections from our wives...I'm pretty sure Tom and I would be uprooting our families for that magical Phoenix climate...and I hate the Suns!

 

[Neal]

...and I hate the Suns!

Maggie's comment made me upset and now your comment just pushed me over the edge! You'd better stay out of AZ or I'm going to slash your tires!

 

[DeanS]

...and I hate the Suns!

Maggie's comment made me upset and now your comment just pushed me over the edge! You'd better stay out of AZ or I'm going to slash your tires!

KOBE! KOBE! KOBE!

:

 

[Az tortoise compound]

Dean,
I am about to take back all the nice things I have said about you in the past I don't watch the NBA since PHX got robbed in San Antonio a few years ago. I do know I hate Kobe though.......