Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all, i might get a male brown mountain tort. was wondering if people can tell me more about them. I know most of there basic care, been researching them, and reading on them for a while, hard to find care sheets. But i was wondering how is there personality? i read they are awsome to keep, any opinions on that? Also do you know how big a male brown Mt. tort. get? I read blacks get 24 inches, but they say browns are a little smaller.

Last thing can anyone post pictures of some of ther mt. torts. and enclsoures, Mine would be housed outdoors, but need idea how to set it up ect....

My biggest female is right at 22" and my largest male is 20.25"

Andy

RedoFootMan@yahoo.com

I have leopards, redfoots and an emy. The leopards are wild and crazy guys. The redfoots are more quiet but will come when they see me. The emy is the most shy and least active. He will walk up to the food, seem to study it for 5 minutes and then take very delibrate slow bites. If you watch him while he eats he will look up at you between each bite. When I have them all out on the lawn the others are wandering all over but the emy will sit, wide awake, head all the way out, and watch the world go by. I have seen him sit for over an hour on my desk while I do paperwork and just watch me. Plenty healthy but not as active. I once wrote to Vic Morgan about them and he says he has seen one stay in the same spot for days, awake.

You have to remember each tort is different. I have heard many people say leopards are shy. Not my guys. Not at all. So I think that it all depends on the individual tort. Tom

emys emys will grow as fast as emys phayrei (the 'black') for the first few years; will reach a foot long in about 4-5 years. They are shy and secretive as juveniles, then become very very tame and outgoing as they approach adult size. Despite what many keepers say, they are very very hard to sex; not worth trying until they are 20 inches.

Here is the ultimate question for you guys, i am torn between 2 tortoises and what i should buy,

first tort. is a star tortoise, less then a year old, but hes a indian star tortoise, and i love stars, have 2 already.

second, is a 10 inch brown mt. tortoise, i am really wanting this guy, he would do perfect outdoors here, and i have enough room,

question is what should i get? Should i add a star to my 2, or should i get a nice giant, thx for the help guys.

Side note, i do agree that all torts. are different, i read that leos. are real shy, and stars are suppose to be shy, but my star is not shy at all, i guess it all depnds,

But if anyone can help me make a choice, i dont know what to do im pulling hair out, lol.

If you are one day hoping to breed them, get another star. If you want a change, get the emy. If its an adult which it sounds make sure its healthy. Wild caught adults are notoriously loaded with parasites. If its been in captivity for years then its probably doing okay.

They do not grow as fast as the blacks after the first year.They are not all shy untill adults,some are some are not.CB will eat from your hand as babies.They get around 35 lbs. 20"dont think so.Adult wild cought can be shy,and very hard to get healthy.Once healthy you cant get them to leave you alone,they will be under foot like a puppy.They need lots of humitity and shade.Veggy eaters.Vic Morgan