Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So after successfully keeping panther chameleons, carpet chameoenls and gecko's, I really want to get a tortoise. Only think is, is that I don't know much about them. I went to my local pet store, and they had, Greek, Russian and Sulcata's. I don't want anything that will grow larger than 10"-12". I also want a stict herbivore, and one that can go out side in the summers here in Buffalo, NY.

Also, what types of setups do you all find to work best with toroises. I have plenty of space and time, so I want to go about doing this right. I know they need UVB/UVA, a heat source, a heating pad, and wood chips, but what else is best??

Thanks for all your help,

Greg
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1.1 CBB Carpet Chameleons (Furcifer Lateralis Lateralis) - (12/05 & 01/06)
1.0 CB Ghost Phase Leopard Gecko - (12/15/02)
0.1 CB High Yellow Leopard Gecko - (06/17/02)
0.1 CB Blizzard Leopard Gecko - (4/14/04)

Have you considered an Egyptian?
A large female will only be 5" and you will be hard pressed to find an adult male woth SLC length of over 4".
They are the perfect small tortoise. Mine come running to me when hungry - not shy at all & rarely retract into their shells when picked up.
CB are easy to deal with, easy to house and feed.
They can easily overwinter inside on a tortoise table with the proper UVB lights - in fact they can spend their entire life indoors in a 6ft x 2 ft tortoise table with the proper lights & heat. Of course a larger area would be better.
They are also relatively rare & unusual but not that difficult to keep properly.
Much easier to deal with than a sulcata or leopard or even a greek - for me anyways!
Great Egyptian tortoise site

Do Russian's get much bigger than 10"?? Since I am a Tortoise beginner, I read that Russian's are the hardiest. Are Egyptians hardy, or more for expierienced keepers?
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1.1 CBB Carpet Chameleons (Furcifer Lateralis Lateralis) - (12/05 & 01/06)
1.0 CB Ghost Phase Leopard Gecko - (12/15/02)
0.1 CB High Yellow Leopard Gecko - (06/17/02)
0.1 CB Blizzard Leopard Gecko - (4/14/04)

"Hardy" is a relative term but wild caught Egyptians are notoriously difficult. I have not found that to be true for captive born Egyptians.

Egyptians are not considered "beginners" tortoises if there is such a thing. Be sure to do a lot of research before you purchase any animal. I researched Egyptians at least a year before I purchased my first.

A 10" Russian would be a very large female & almost unheard of for males. Go to the link for some good Russian tortoise information. Always buy captive born (CB) tortoises no matter what you choose! They may be intially more expensive but they will be far more hardy & less likely to need EXPENSIVE vet visitis.

I have heard Russians are very personable & will follow you around in their outdoor habitat.
Russian tortoise care

A russian tortoise is good choice for New Yorkers. Stays relatively small and exists on broadleaf weeds. Can buy store bought greens like chicory, endive, escarole, turnip greens, dandelion etc...Visit russian tortoise.org for more info.
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Julia
Sulcatas Echo and Tank

I live an hour or two away from you (rochester) and have a hermanns tortoise. I find him easy to care for indoors during the winter.