WHY THE TORTOISE?

[ALDABRAMAN]

Why do we/you/us have so much interest in the tortoise?

I simply find them the most fascinating and amazing creatures on earth!

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

Why do we/you/us have so much interest in the tortoise?

I simply find them the most fascinating and amazing creatures on earth!

They are extremely good company, too!

A question I often ask myself is "Why the poodle?"

"Why the pomeranian?"

"Why the chihuahua?"

 

[Torty Mom]

They are peaceful and gentle. Calming, kinda like a fish tank, lowers your stress level. I love to watch them walk around without a care in the world, sniff this, sniff that, poop, little more sniffing and then a nap in the warm sunshine!

Unless you have one like Tucker with ADHD But I love him even more! That little boy gets into some crazy stuff and I just shake my head and say: Tucker....Tucker.....Tucker.....Then I tell the kiddos and school and they all crack up.

I am outside more, I garden more, I shop more , I actually sit and relax, something I have never done before. So I think there are a TON of reasons! LOL!!!

 

[fhintz]

My tortoise is soooo much more of a fit for me than a "traditional" pet. She likes to take things slow, and relax, but she's inquisitive too. And like me, she retreats into her shell quite a bit and is a bit shy.

 

[Edna]

Tortoises have a royal quality that I can't resist. They go about their business with expressions that say, "This is my world. What gifts does my world bring me today?" If dogs have masters and cats have help, then tortoises must have subjects.

 

[Marty333]

Because they arent fast. With hamsters and other small animals I hated how they would always run around like crazy mad men and I couldnt observe them or enjoy them. Also I just think the anatomy of a tortoise is amazing!

 

[dmmj]

what's a tortoise?

 

[HDSH]

I have been raising beardered dragons since 2001
They are a cool reptile, but i watched this video of a red foot tortoise
in the yard with what appeared to be golden lab puppies .
I think this tort actually thought he/she was a dog the way she was playing with the pups.
Wow i got to have one of those .
Well after careful research and comments from this sight i decided to
buy me a pair of redfoots .
After 1 month of ownership of these 2 wonderful animals i'm glad i did.
Tortoise's in my opinion are amazing animals & I don't do Snakes....

 

[Angi]

I didn't go out looking for a tortoise and NEVER thought I would want a reptile. My tortioses found me and now I know they are the pet I was meant to have. They dont have an odder, I don't have to touch them, they don't make noise and watching them makes me happy. They are the perfect pet for me.

 

[terryo]

When I was a little girl my Dad would take me to a pet store. The store owner was a friend of his, and I'd get to see animals that I would only read about in books. There was a back room where my Dad would take me to see what came off the docks. I would sit in a chair and hold a baby chimp before the new owner came to get him. In the subway on the way home my Dad woud always be sad, once I saw him cry, and he would tell me how he wished that people would leave the animals where God put them. He was a gardenar, and we had a big beautiful yard that had a little pond, plenty of flowers ....I remember it was so beautiful, but best of all he called it "the turtle garden." I never remember a time in my life that we didn't have box turtles roaming the turtle garden. Most of these turtles he found on the road upstate, who were crushed my cars, or hurt in some way, that he would bring back to health. He would take me into the woods to collect mushrooms, and show me where the turtles lived, and how they lived. He always told me that if we invited them to live in our yard, we had to find out how they lived so we could take care of them the right way. Sometimes we would go to his friends house where there were what I thought were "big turtles". Now I know they were tortoises, but I don't know what kind they were. Now I have my own box turtle garden, and tortoise garden. Not only do I love them for the wonderful pets they are, but I guess for me they bring back memories of a wonderful kind hearted man who taught me how to love and respect all living things.

 

[Tom]

I have no idea why. I'm just drawn to them and obsessed with them. For me its not just tortoises, its a whole bunch of animals.

I always wonder why people choose to live where they do. Some people live in the most inhospitable places and just seem to want to stay there. Its a free country (well, sort of). You can live anywhere you want!

 

[pugsandkids]

Beautiful Terry.

I'm kinda like Tom, all animals fascinate me. I've always loved tortoises, when I was about three years old a large tortoise wandered into our rural yard. Hung out for a few hours then left. That memory has stayed with me, 28 years since then. (I just recently figured out whose tort that was!)

Mellow, I love how mellow tortoises are. Just hanging out and watching the tort attitude. Its relaxing, and comical at the same time. I am also seeing how great torts are for my allergies. No fur, dander, or feathers!

 

[RV's mom]

agree. beautiful, Terry.

torts (RV at least) are stoic, strong. RV stomps the yard looking for the next fresh morsel. She doesn't cuddle but loves to have her neck rubbed - after she'd done eating - - - she is a peaceful beastie who is agreeable to have us visit her in HER yard. please bring food. she doesn't have adventures like Bob does, but she's about the coolest creature we live with. and she'll outlive us. I think that's a bonus (after having lost too many furry buddies to old age or 'other'.) I would love to have more, but know I couldn't give them the beautiful place they would deserve (RES and a lilly pad/cattaill pool). there is just something about torts and turtles that make sense.....


teri

 

[HDSH]

Bob does, but she's about the coolest creature we live with. and she'll outlive us. I think that's a bonus (after having lost too many furry buddies to old age or 'other'.)

Sharkstar this is exactly what i was thinking .
Over the years i have had so many pets die of old age or something .
Now i have a couple of pets that will out live me a be placed in my will for
one of my animal loving reletives to care for....
Why do i spend 200.00 dollars a year on bird food & squirrel food that i can't keep as pets..
The love of gods creatures i guess.....
Mike D.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

When I was a little girl my Dad would take me to a pet store. The store owner was a friend of his, and I'd get to see animals that I would only read about in books. There was a back room where my Dad would take me to see what came off the docks. I would sit in a chair and hold a baby chimp before the new owner came to get him. In the subway on the way home my Dad woud always be sad, once I saw him cry, and he would tell me how he wished that people would leave the animals where God put them. He was a gardenar, and we had a big beautiful yard that had a little pond, plenty of flowers ....I remember it was so beautiful, but best of all he called it "the turtle garden." I never remember a time in my life that we didn't have box turtles roaming the turtle garden. Most of these turtles he found on the road upstate, who were crushed by cars, or hurt in some way, that he would bring back to health. He would take me into the woods to collect mushrooms, and show me where the turtles lived, and how they lived. He always told me that if we invited them to live in our yard, we had to find out how they lived so we could take care of them the right way. Sometimes we would go to his friends house where there were what I thought were "big turtles". Now I know they were tortoises, but I don't know what kind they were. Now I have my own box turtle garden, and tortoise garden. Not only do I love them for the wonderful pets they are, but I guess for me they bring back memories of a wonderful kind hearted man who taught me how to love and respect all living things.

Sounds like your father was a really great guy!

 

[Tracy Gould]

When i was 5 we had a Hermann's a Infant School he was called George and I was fascinated with him and I have been in love with them ever since. I have a few Pets and love them all for different reasons I finally got Shelby last year they are a joy to watch quicker than i remember as a kid curious and they soon get to know you and Shelby will react when i enter the room and will sit watching me when i sit next to the table.

 

[Shelly]

Lots of reasons... but the fact that mine require almost zero care, is a big plus.

 

[Candy]

When I was a little girl my Dad would take me to a pet store. The store owner was a friend of his, and I'd get to see animals that I would only read about in books. There was a back room where my Dad would take me to see what came off the docks. I would sit in a chair and hold a baby chimp before the new owner came to get him. In the subway on the way home my Dad woud always be sad, once I saw him cry, and he would tell me how he wished that people would leave the animals where God put them. He was a gardenar, and we had a big beautiful yard that had a little pond, plenty of flowers ....I remember it was so beautiful, but best of all he called it "the turtle garden." I never remember a time in my life that we didn't have box turtles roaming the turtle garden. Most of these turtles he found on the road upstate, who were crushed my cars, or hurt in some way, that he would bring back to health. He would take me into the woods to collect mushrooms, and show me where the turtles lived, and how they lived. He always told me that if we invited them to live in our yard, we had to find out how they lived so we could take care of them the right way. Sometimes we would go to his friends house where there were what I thought were "big turtles". Now I know they were tortoises, but I don't know what kind they were. Now I have my own box turtle garden, and tortoise garden. Not only do I love them for the wonderful pets they are, but I guess for me they bring back memories of a wonderful kind hearted man who taught me how to love and respect all living things.

After reading this post there is no doubt in my mind why you're such a nice person Terry. Your father was totally right. What a wonderful person he must have been. I just love people who feel this way about animals. Me myself love all animals just not tortoises. I think it's because animals don't talk back to you like humans do.

 

[moswen]

i just love everything about them! they are kind of the underdog of the reptile world, most people have lizards or snakes, and i like having something different than you see every day. i love their own individual personalities, i love how tula comes to find me when she's bored and i'm banging around, i love the babies eating out of my hand, i love the fact that they don't bark! and they are precious to me. i love having something that i can miss and look forward to seeing when i'm away from home, i like the morning ritual that i have to do to take care of them every day... lots of things! i love to sit in the turtle room and watch them and listen to them while i work on some project or another.