Best tortises as pets

[Mantis64]

So for the last year or so I have wanted to add some sort of reptilian or amphibian to my house as a pet. And have finally decided it has to be a tortise as they dont require live food. So anyone out there which is the best spieces one that doesnt get too large and can stay inside. Thanks

 

[Kiwi & Co.]

Bump

 

[Zara]

Remember to take extra care to wash your hands between handling reptiles and birds.

 

[tka]

I looked into tortoises a few years ago - like you, I was interested in a reptile that doesn't require live food. All species require a garden. Tortoises really need to be able to roam and perform natural behaviours, like digging, regulating their temperature through basking and burrowing, and foraging for food. They also need natural light or risk metabolic bone disease. A tortoise table is really only big enough for hatchlings, not as a permanent enclosure for adults. Diet is also complicated. Tortoises need a high fibre, low protein diet. Vegetables or commercial pellets don't provide nearly enough fibre. When I was researching, I found that a lot of tortoise keepers grow a patch of tortoise-safe weeds that they harvest for ther tortoise. You can even get specialist seed mixes intended for this.

Link to various caresheets: http://www.britishcheloniagroup.org.uk/caresheets/index?LMCL=BbVcGE

A really useful pdf booklet: http://www.tortoisetrust.org/Downloads/Taking_care_of_pet_tortoises_web.pdf

 

[Mantis64]

Remember to take extra care to wash your hands between handling reptiles and birds.

Thanks

 

[Mantis64]

I looked into tortoises a few years ago - like you, I was interested in a reptile that doesn't require live food. All species require a garden. Tortoises really need to be able to roam and perform natural behaviours, like digging, regulating their temperature through basking and burrowing, and foraging for food. They also need natural light or risk metabolic bone disease. A tortoise table is really only big enough for hatchlings, not as a permanent enclosure for adults. Diet is also complicated. Tortoises need a high fibre, low protein diet. Vegetables or commercial pellets don't provide nearly enough fibre. When I was researching, I found that a lot of tortoise keepers grow a patch of tortoise-safe weeds that they harvest for ther tortoise. You can even get specialist seed mixes intended for this.

Link to various caresheets: http://www.britishcheloniagroup.org.uk/caresheets/index?LMCL=BbVcGE

A really useful pdf booklet: http://www.tortoisetrust.org/Downloads/Taking_care_of_pet_tortoises_web.pdf

Thank you

 

[Destiny]

I feel you on the "no live food" requirement. I took care of my younger sister's bearded dragon for many years. He was a super chill lizard and I would highly recommend a beardie to anyone looking for a nice beginner-friendly lizard, but I absolutely HATED dealing with the feeder crickets. It was disgusting, smelly, and just plain awful. Dubia roaches were better, but still not much fun. I think "the roaches were better" says everything I need to say about my feelings on crickets. After the bearded dragon, I swore off any animal that required crickets or other large insects. I had already determined that I would never own a snake, because I can't feed pinkie mice.

All that being said, have you considered poison dart frogs? They do require live food, but I have found flightless fruit fly cultivation to be surprisingly easy and painless, compared with my other live food experiences. There are many kinds and some have very particular needs, but once you have the right setup, the more hardy species of poison dart frogs are not that complicated to keep. And they are absolutely gorgeous.

This is one of mine that I had years ago.



And if you are looking for a nice herp that can be kept without providing any live food, I have heard that Day Geckos are a good choice. They will eat crickets and mealies if you offer them, but commercially available Day Gecko food is a complete diet. It is a powdered fruit-based food. I've used it for my mourning gecko(s) and it was easy to prepare.

As for tortoises, I have never owned one because I am intimidated by their extremely long lifespans. I don't want to own a pet that might outlive my grandchildren if I treat it right.

 

[Ali]

How come nobody tagged me!

They do require live food, but I have found flightless fruit fly cultivation to be surprisingly easy and painless, compared with my other live food experiences

I have dartfrogs. The fruit flies get everywhere.

This year I took on a marginated tortoise from an older couple that were no longer able to take care of it. It has been lovely to have a round.

There is no tortoise that can be kept inside other than young babies. Even then, they should go outside for an hour or two every day. Herman's are the one exception, they should be outdoors, but they are small and benefit from being brought in at night and during the colder months.

I don't think that a tortoise is necessarily the right reptile for you.

Maybe a bearded dragon would be better, although they need live food. I'm not sure what you think of them, but snakes only require frozen thawed food, and are cheaper to maintain as only the to be fed every week or two depending on the species. Worth a thought?

 

[Mantis64]

How come nobody tagged me!


I have dartfrogs. The fruit flies get everywhere.

This year I took on a marginated tortoise from an older couple that were no longer able to take care of it. It has been lovely to have a round.

There is no tortoise that can be kept inside other than young babies. Even then, they should go outside for an hour or two every day. Herman's are the one exception, they should be outdoors, but they are small and benefit from being brought in at night and during the colder months.

I don't think that a tortoise is necessarily the right reptile for you.

Maybe a bearded dragon would be better, although they need live food. I'm not sure what you think of them, but snakes only require frozen thawed food, and are cheaper to maintain as only the to be fed every week or two depending on the species. Worth a thought?

Oh that's fine if you think a tortise is not right for me it's not just the live food I just love the way they are with their shells. Have always wanted one since watching esio-trot as a kid.

 

[Ali]

Have always wanted one since watching esio-trot as a kid.

I always wonder what those tortoises ended up doing after filming. I think if you get yourself into a situation where you can give it time outdoors, them a margi ated tortoise would be good for you. I didn't phrase my initial reply very well. Instead of saying it isn't right for you, I should have said it isn't idea for you at the moment.

When you are able to give one an outdoor space, then I think you will do great with a tortoise!

 

[Mantis64]

I always wonder what those tortoises ended up doing after filming. I think if you get yourself into a situation where you can give it time outdoors, them a margi ated tortoise would be good for you. I didn't phrase my initial reply very well. Instead of saying it isn't right for you, I should have said it isn't idea for you at the moment.

When you are able to give one an outdoor space, then I think you will do great with a tortoise!

Yeah I have a garden but that is not use as there is no soil or grass guess I'll have to wait untill I get my own place.

 

[Destiny]

I have dartfrogs. The fruit flies get everywhere.

I haven't really noticed the fruitflies getting out of the frog enclosure that much. I knock the flies into a small container for dusting that is positioned inside a larger tray. Any flies that miss the smaller container land on the tray. Then I knock them into the container with the rest of the little buggers. I've sealed the cracks and gaps in the frog terrarium using silicone and airline tubing, so once the doors are closed, they generally can't find a way out. Even so, I suspect that I am feeding my local spider population in addition to my captive frogs. Fruit flies are just so tiny!

In fact, at my old house, when I moved out, I discovered a very happy black widow spider (and dozens of babies) living in the corner where my frog tank was setup. Must screaming ensued. Fortunately, I was already moving out, so I didn't have to worry about sleeping in a house filled with black widow spiders for very long. They are relatively rare in my area, so it was a rather unpleasant surprise.

 

[Ali]

My tortoise stays on the patio. We have no grass. Instead, we got some large plant growing trays and planted grass in it. They can dig out of gardens with soils and grass bases, and have been know to do so

 

[Mantis64]

My tortoise stays on the patio. We have no grass. Instead, we got some large plant growing trays and planted grass in it. They can dig out of gardens with soils and grass bases, and have been know to do so

Ah okay I will do further reserch it's just one animals I've always wanted since I was a kid but wasnt allowed cause of the risk of salmonella now that I'm older and more responsible my parents would allow me to get one if I wanted.