Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all. I am considering (upon request) getting a tortoise. As you can see in my sig, we have other herps. I am NOT familiar with turtles/tortoises at all, so I'm starting my research. What types are good starter animals? Which stay relatively small, approx 12" max? I would prefer an animal that needs less humidity as opposed to more, and I live in New England, so the winters here are cold. Currently, we live in an apartment, but are looking for a house to purchase w/in the next 12 months. Hopefully, this will include a herp room!! Also, tortoises are notoriously long-lived. Will I need to make arrangements for future care? I'm 36 now, but if this guy is going to live to be 100, I want to make sure I have a plan in place.
Any input is appreciated, positive or negative. Thanks in advance.
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1.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 corn snake
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 fish
1.2 cats
3.1 kids
1.0 husband

Hey,

My recommendation for the area you live in would be to get a russian tortoise. I live in PA, and I currently have 3 that live outside year round. They are perfectly fine living outdoors. Best of all, these torts rarely get over 6 inches long when full grown. Word of warning, most russian tortoises are WC. There are a few people that sell CB baby russians but they are usually very expensive. Anyway, I think a russian will be excellent for you.

That was one of the types I have been looking into, along with the Egrptian tortoise (of which there seems to be more than one type?). The only thing that put me off the Russians was exactly what you mentioned. WC. I would prefer CBB, but they are few and far between. Do you think I would have better luck at an Expo? White Plains is coming up, as well as NH and ME. I live in RI.
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1.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 corn snake
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 fish
1.2 cats
3.1 kids
1.0 husband

Look into the Hermanns. They stay under 8" and have great personalities. I have 2. Make sure you are getting captive bred of course, but that is what you will generally find. If you go with the Russian spend the extra time and money to get a captive bred one, it will be a lot easier. I know someone mentioned keeping Russians out year round but I don't think that is possible in RI, too cold. You can check out reptile shows. Also try Regal Reptiles in Providence. The store itself isn't impressive but I've had nothing but good luck with their stuff, and I have spent thousands and thousands there althought nothing recently. They have a tort price list online. Just do lots of research first on a few different kinds before making a decision. Where in RI do you live?
Becky

Lol! I bought my first ball from Sean back about 1 1/2 years ago. I still go to Regal for feeders and such. I live in Pawtucket now, just moved from E Prov. Regal is opening up a new store soon. JL Breeders is also a good place, in EP. Got my beardie from Joe.
Do you live in the area? Thank you, too, for the info on the Hermanns. I will definately check into them. I much prefer CBB over WC......I'm working my way towards a menagerie, it seems.
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1.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 corn snake
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 fish
1.2 cats
3.1 kids
1.0 husband

I have lived in Johnston most of my life, except the last 3 years I have been in NH. I am actually moving back to RI this week sometime. I too am working towards a menagerie with 2 dogs, 3 cats, 3 torts, a bunch of fish, hissing cockroaches and 15-20 geckos. I lost count on the geckos as a bunch of babies have just hatched. Oh, and a fiance, hes the most work. And I think we just got a green tree python, I can't keep track anymore. Now to find a place to live that allows all of those things.
Becky

Welcome back!! If you can do it, buy a house. Prices are dropping, and the mtg rates are still ridiculously low. Our tortoise purchase is going to wait until we get one (a house) but I like to start my research early. What type of geckos do you have? Leos? We've been looking into those, too. They seem cool, very unique look to them.
Where do you house your torts? Are they indoors? What type of enclosure do you use, or do they free roam?
Kathy
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1.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 corn snake
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 fish
1.2 cats
3.1 kids
1.0 husband

We are hoping to buy a house next month, when I think we will have a good enough deposit. No one will rent to us with all of those animals. Right now my tortoises are indoors, which I hate to do. I live with my fiance's parents and we thought we would be out sooner than this so we didn't build an enclosure this summer, which I wish we had now. Of course, this summer started so late, I didn't think it would ever be warm enough. I bring them outside to graze sometimes and I cut fresh greens from my garden as well as grass and dandelion greens daily. Both my torts are around 4 inches and I keep them in a 40 gallon breeder tank which everyone will tell you not to do. I don't have a problem with humidity or with the glass, the only time they scratch at the sides is when I feed them late, they don't let you forget that. I wouldn't go out and spend the money on a tank but we had a few lying around. When we move I want to build them a big indoor enclosure as well as an outdoor pen for the warmer months. I wouldn't leave them outside overnight ever because the temps are so variable in RI and because of predators. We keep crested geckos, gargoyle geckos, rhacodactylus sarasinorum, rhacodactylus chahoua, gold dust day geckos and some other day gecko that sounds like gumbei but i know it isn't spelled that way. My fiance used to keep leopard geckos but he got bored with them, nocturnal. With the exception of the 2 day geckos the others are nocturnal but at least they don't require heat or light source, just room temp and eat a combo of baby food and crickets which is easier than just crickets. Feel free to e-mail me at prettykitty333@yahoo.com.
Becky

n/p

Definitely look into a Hermanns. They have just about the same level of "personality" as the Russians, get about the same size, and probably are better "adapted" to long-term life indoors in comparison to a Russian. Plus, it is MUCH easier to find them CBB. I've seen CB Russians for sale maybe once every year. Many people successfully breed and sell Hermanns.

I've had mine for two years now and (s)he is such a little ham. He runs to the side of his enclosure when it's feeding time.

I think you are right. With the recommendations and some research, the Hermanns seem to be the way to go. I'll have to keep my eyes open now and find some people that are breeding them near me! Thanks again!
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1.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 corn snake
1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 fish
1.2 cats
3.1 kids
1.0 husband