Tortoise - are they an easy pet

[turnipvontrapp]

In terms of looking after them? Where do they poo? Can they just wander all over your house.

Told the kids it's the only pet I would have and now they think there's a chance we may get one. Eeek.

So being a tortoise virgin, need to know the good, the bad and the ugly about the little creatures.

Noooooooooo - I've been keeping and breeding tortoises for decades and they are not an easy pet if you look after them properly (as I'm sure you'd want to do!)

No, they cannot just wander all over your house. Putting the injury risk aside (i.e. stepping on them accidentally) and the hygiene issue (no, they cannot be litter trained ) they're non-native to the UK for good reason. It's too cool, too wet, not enough natural UVB from sunlight (except in the height of the summer months) and so for a significant proportion of the year, their captive environment must be recreated artificially for them to thrive.

Lots of people will likely tell you of their tortoises that have been left to their own devices in the garden for many years and they've survived, but there's a big difference between surviving (which, sadly, most tortoises treated like that won't do for very long...for every success story there'll be many tragedies that you won't have been told about) and thriving! :(

Have a read of this publication by the Tortoise Trust. It's FAR better than most books you'll find in the library or pet-stores (usually full of bad/outdated info) and it's completely free :)

Also, if you're interested, you could always check out some of my other replies to similar questions by advanced-searching against my username and the word tortoises.

I had 2.
We also had a cat which wasn't a good combo.

You need a special tank for them with heating. A bit of land and some water in it.
They need cleaning alot!

I loved mine too bits but the cat kept trying to get to them so the first one died and then I went on holiday and I showed my lil bro how to lOok after it.
The cat managed to get that out too and they couldn't find it.
I came back 2 weeks later ( after it had been 2 weeks) I found it behind the sofa and it was alive!!

They are easier than dogs lol
I'm no expert though

Thanks for replies, dont think it's the pet for us then as wouldn't want to mistreat one by thinking its one of the family!

Not sure I have the enthusiasm or space in my house and garden for enclosures that they need.

Looks like it may be a fish each for them then. They are hard enough with cleaning out their tank every few weeks!