Anyone here a Tortoise keeper? Info needed for complete Tortoise dummy.....

[CharleeheartsherChains]

I am looking to get a family pet in the summer, we can't have anything hairy that lives in doors, we have thoght about rabbitts and guinea pigs to live in the garden, but we have also mused about a Tortoise.

Problem is i don't have the first clue about them, what they eat, are the good pets, do they bite, where do they sleep ect ect.

Can you give me a rund down of some basic Tortoise facts please, i will of course buy a book and research heavily if we got one i just thought it would he helpfull to have some first hand experience. TIA

A tortoise, that you buy in the UK, will probably be very young and have to live indoors (on a tortoise table NOT a Vivarium) under special heat and UV light bulbs and will not be able to overwinter (hibernate) until 10 yrs old. The whole set up will cost you several hundred pounds. Also breeders/sellers have to have CITES paprwork I think called Article 10 - like a passport for each animal.

I cannot really help you as my tortie is 50+ yrs old and I have had him since I was a young girl.

They are not that easy to keep well. Ideas about how to look after them have changed very much since the 70's where you just put them in a box of straw in the shed for the half the year.

I love mine, but I doubt I would replace him now as wouldn't want all the hassle of a young one. He is good for young DC as he doesn't run away much or scrabble. Does give you a nasty nip if you get your fingers in the way.

Hmmm, maybe i won't get one then, i will admit i was under the impression (very wrong impression) i could have a chilled out tort hanging out in the garden munching on leaves.............

Back to the drawring board!

Thanks MarmadukeScarlet.

Sorry!

Mine does hang out in a chilled fashion munching myplants dandelions and generally squashing anything I am trying to grow!

So if you got one you may have to wait 10-15 yrs for this!

I expect an indoor keeper will come along and poopoo my assertions on how tricky young torts are to keep.

Good luck in your quest.

Well we do have a Tortoise rescue center near us, would an older tort be easier to keep?

Yes, but I should imagine the waiting list for one is miles long.

You would still need to provide the lighting/heat in case of early waking, illness etc.

I would contact them to find out what their criteria is.

We have spent quite a lot tortie proofing our garden, ours is a real houdini although he can always find his 'house' (small kennel where he sleeps) even if I move it, which I sometimes do just to entertain myself him.

Take a look at the tortoise trust website for a lot of good info about tortoises and how to care for them. They seem a very informed and helpful organisation.

www.tortoisetrust.org/

I would love a tortoise. My friend has two lovely big ones that she's had for years and they do live outside in the garden. In the winter they have a big box of dirt in the shed and they bury themselves in there. My friend checks them every now and again, and if the weather is mild they will be near the top of the box and if it's cold they will be buried right down, which I think is fascinating that they can do that even though they are asleep.

When she is on holiday I sometimes look after them and I love it when they come running (yes really!) up the garden for their tinned peaches.

I saw some small ones for sale the other day but even if I had the money, I'm put off by the thought of having to have them indoors for years.