Good beginner tortoise?

We recently found a really big terrarium that someone threw out. It seems to be in good condition and it's only missing the top. I think that a tortoise would be a good choice to put in there, but can you list any good beginner tortoises that would also be able to live in there?

P.S. The tank's dimensions are 36",12",15" and these questions are actually for my younger brother (I still think it's a good choice though).

There has been some discussion here previously about beginner tortoises - as I recall Russians and Herman's have been mentioned. You might try a search.

The problem is that NO tortoise is going to be able to live in a 36" tank for very long. A hatchling could for a while, but you'll soon need a plan for a secure, outdoor enclosure.

You can keep a Russian or a Hermann indoors as long as the enclosure is the right size and you provide the correct lighting and food etc.... They make great beginner tort's.

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Originally Posted by TooManyToys

You can keep a Russian or a Hermann indoors as long as the enclosure is the right size and you provide the correct lighting and food etc.... They make great beginner tort's.

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I agree

This is something I have researched a lot for myself (I loooooove torts!)

For a proper indoor enclosure, you are going to want a space that is MUCH bigger than 36". More on the order of 8ft x 3ft.

The only tort I have found that you can keep in a small space (4ft x 2ft) is an Egyptian tort (Testudo kleinmanni), but that species is extremely sensitive and not considered a beginner species at all.

So, I would recommend the species people mentioned above, but you will need a big space to put a tortoise table habitat, plus an outdoor pen for the warm months.

This is why I don't have any torts :( I love them but don't have the space to do it up properly.