thinking of getting a tort.

[sg1trogdor]

Just wondering what some of your thoughts are. I have been wanting to get a tort for a while. I was looking at either the sulcata or a russian. The size of the sulcata doenst bother be i have the perfect back yard for it when its large enough. but i was thinking a nice small russian would also be nice. Based on your experiences which would be a better pet. thanks,

[Patrick Long]

my girlfriend and I own a sulcata, and he is the coolest guy ever. a friend of mine has like 7 or 8 of them and they all are really nice. i have seen some that get pretty aggressive during mating season, so imagine a 200 pound tortoise ramming into your leg

[cpx_20o5]

if its your first tortoise, do lots of research!
right things down aswell.

I own 2 hermanns, Testudo hermanni, theyre amazing tortoises but dont like to be handled so much.
Theyre an easy species, and very active if given correct care and husbandry.

Easy to care for:
Hermanns
Horsefield (russian)
Marginate
Ibera
Greek

Advanced care
Redfoot
Yellowfoot
elongated
hingeback
pancakes

harder species:
sulcata
leopard
stars
and similar species.

theres a whole RANGE OUT THERE on what you could have. but please make sure you got a garden for them to go out in summer, and that you have lots of room!

[Whit-e]

I have a Russian, well my son does.... we love her, she is just the nicest little thing ever. I highly recommend RT's.

As far as Sullys go, I want one soooooo bad. But I live in Colorado and it is just not an option at this point in our lives. I have done research on them and believe that if you have the space and commitment they are a wonderful species.

Both species, like most turts/torts live a very, very long time!!! so..... commitment is key!!!

Like everyone says, do your research. Also know that Russians hibernate and Sullys do not. So if you are going to take on a Russian be commited to the hibernation process, it is very important.

Good luck !

[cpx_20o5]

Sullys are beautiful, and need alot of space and commitment, when theyre fully grown they need more food, more water, more cleaning, and most of all more space.
some people let their whole back yard go to one sully sometimes. thats how much room they often need a hole back yard!

i would love one, but with me living in a small place, and no back yard to dedicate i cannot get one.
but one day i will

[Blu Mongoose]

How dedicated are you to cleaning? I have a ten pound tort, when he drops a load , it is nasty. Also even a lrge yard for a sulcatta must have fencing reinforced. They are powerful creatures. If you get one remember it's a commitment. Just because they are neat pets doesn't mean someone else wants one. I have a friend trying to rehome a sulcatta because he tired of it, I love sulcattas but don't have one because of this and other issues. Even the dealers at the reptile shows sell the lrger ones fairly cheap at times here because of space requirements.

I do have a russian. Because of her size she is an indoor tort. Being indoors she MUST have proper lighting, diet. But a pleasure to own and easy to care for.

[Whit-e]

Funny!! Talking about "loads", I have had horses all my life and their loads are very comperable to a Sully. The rescue society where we rescued our BP has an adult Sully that is a permanent resident due to health issues, they told me that when he pees and happens to be in the house, he will flood out an entire room, no kidding!!! But you gotta love them, their soooooo cute

[cpx_20o5]

EWWW E! thats pretty nasty! imagine cleaning all that.

But like E says, you gotta love them.
Dont be put off by their mess or their size! just make sure you can keep them!
cuz theyre such amazing tortoises to have around.