Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was looking into getting a tortoise.
How fast would they out grow a 50 breeder? I am going to be in an apartment for a few years and it would not be able to have a really big tank.
Also, I heard they are hardy, but can be nervous after travel and stay nervous. How hard are they to maintain?
Thank you

I have my hermanns tortoise in a 50 breeder (floor space is 36"X18". He has lived in it from 3 months old until now (he will be 2 in June) and has seemed comfortable. I feel that he is going to need more space within a year or so though. I have 2 big sticks in there and a rock pile. He enjoys climbing and digging under them and they break up the visual line. They aren't hard to maintain as long as you meet their environmental requirements. I keep mine on spagnum moss, about 4 inches deep. He digs burrows into it. I water it and the bottom layers stay moist and the top dries. This makes his burrows humid. I change it regularly (about once a month, sometimes more). Make sure you have the proper lighting and use a screen top and if you decide to use a tank, put something to cover the sides and back so he cannot see out as much.

You really should look into making a tortoise "table". It's really a much better home for a tortoise and you can make one very cheaply by taking the shelves out of a bookshelf, or just buying some lumber and nailing it together. You can make one to fit any space or shape that you want.

Here's a pic of mine. It's 2'X4' and the sides are 12" high. I spent about $20 on the materials and it's better for the tortoise than a glass tank.