Choosing a tortoise

Im interested in bringing a tortoise into my home maybe in the next 6 months.
This gives me plenty of time to research and choose the right tort for me.

What I want out of a tortoise is one that is a manageble max size for me to handle which would be 30-40 lbs or less. I need to be able to handle the tort by myself for cleaning, moving, feeding etc.
Also I would like a tortoise to have a personality. One that isnt timid when i let him out for exercise. I want him to recognize me and like to be handled.

So far Ive come across Hermann's to be quite suitable in what I want out of a tortoise.
If anyone has any other species that you could suggest to me I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks in advance!

I'm totally in LOVE with red foots. They are very social :D

http://redfoottortoise.com/generalcare.htm

+2 for a red footed. My little girl is as sweet as can be, and I think they grow up to be the perfect size.

I am not speaking from experience, but I also hope to keep one some day, and I already know I want a leopard tortoise, pardalis babcocki. They get sorta big but not too big, and aren't supposed to be super shy, and aren't inclined to dig. I'm jealous that you can get one! Good luck with it!

Ha your the new girl on Tortoiseforums!

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Originally Posted by LGray23

I'm totally in LOVE with red foots. They are very social :D

http://redfoottortoise.com/generalcare.htm

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She is from NDak so I would highly not recommend a Redfoot. If you want a Hermann's get a hermanns they would do fine in ND or like I said get a Russian!!! But living up here we really only have a handful of options i'll rank the best ones in order!

Testudo Horsfieldi (Russian)
Testudo Hermanni ( Hermanns)<=== can hook u up with an excellent breeder
Testudo Gracea ( Greek)
Pancake tortoise

They are all great choices

They are all small and are all excellent pets!!!

But I would say a big fat no on
Sulcatas
Leopards
and tortoises that need high humidity . Cause as you know its damn hard to keep the humidity in the state we live in!!!

I have a hermanns tortoise. He is really great. Have had him for about 3 yrs. Being a male he is pretty small and easy to manage. I feed him organic mixed greens and mazuri tortoise chow twice a week. In the summer there is large mix of things from my yard that I feed. Just make sure no pesticides or herbicides are used. This is when I first got him
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...iss7/waldo.jpg

here is a link of him a little older

http://vimeo.com/12722387

Greek!
I have a one and just love him. He comes running (well...) over when he sees me. He's really funny, a goof. No idea how old he is, an adult for sure though.
I am going to make him an outdoor pen this spring, can't wait to get going on that. Living in NY means limited out time but I think he will love the summer.

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Originally Posted by Christine

I have a hermanns tortoise. He is really great. Have had him for about 3 yrs. Being a male he is pretty small and easy to manage. I feed him organic mixed greens and mazuri tortoise chow twice a week. In the summer there is large mix of things from my yard that I feed. Just make sure no pesticides or herbicides are used. This is when I first got him
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...iss7/waldo.jpg

here is a link of him a little older

http://vimeo.com/12722387

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ahhh! hes so adorable! see? How could i NOT want a hermanns?! :P

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Originally Posted by gopherhockey03

Ha your the new girl on Tortoiseforums!

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Yup I am :D! And I would love the name of the hermanns breeder you know of.

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Originally Posted by Clementine_3

Greek!
I have a one and just love him. He comes running (well...) over when he sees me. He's really funny, a goof. No idea how old he is, an adult for sure though.
I am going to make him an outdoor pen this spring, can't wait to get going on that. Living in NY means limited out time but I think he will love the summer.

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Thank you for your input. Thats what I want out of a tortoise, yours sounds wonderful and fun!

I'd also like to know the name of the Hermanns breeder.

Hi sorry for the late response. I got my hermanns from turtle source. They cost a but more but they have a great reputation with the quality of their tortoises. My little guy was eating from the day he came out of the ups box. I have bought 2 other aquatic turtles from them and they are all healthy as horses. They are all about 4 yrs now


http://www.theturtlesource.com/i.asp?id=225689756

i know its only my opinion but i love my leopard tortoise .has now app a 14inch shell very healthy , i have no problems with him eating i pick him up an cary him all over he has about a ten foot outside encloser an when it cools down hes got a 4x6 ft inside ,an i also know a local breeder if your interested :D