Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I want to get a good starter turtle that is not aquatic and will stay a smaller size, any recommendations? Any will be helpful in my decision.

There is no "good" starter turtle that is not aquatic. Box turtles look easy, but they are harder to maintain than one would think. Any of the smaller tortoises are among the most difficult herps in the world to maintain (i.e. it is extemely difficult to maintain the dwarf South African tortoises even outdoors in their native country!) Go with a three-toed box turtle, widely available and usually under 6" in length, but don't be surprised if it goes off food in the first fall (a pre-brumation response) until it adapts to your indoor cycle.

I agree. Land Turtles may seem simpler because of not having a tank of water to clean but you are still dealing with a whole host of other issue. Russians are nice little torts and not the most difficult to keep (provided you give them a comfortable and spacious environment but still there are dietary issues to deal with (you can really destroy a tortoise with an improper diet) I work with a turtle rescue and you should see all the deformed animals we get in (boxies, Russians, Lots of Sulcata).

Then you need to worry about humidity levels (is it a dry specie or a jungle specie like a redfoot that prefers humid conditions.)

They really need to spend some part of the year outside too (IMHO) all that natural sunlight, fresh air and excercise does them a world of good. (so there is an outdoor predator proof escape proof enclosure to deal with).

You must give them a soak at least several times a week

They are MESSY (just not in a fish tank like a slider).

Lastly -- you may have all the homework in the world on them done and then get a nice little Russian tortoise or hinge back and then have it just up and die on you suddenly because generally they are imported and many times come into the pet trade LOADED with parasites.

Tortoises are something I would not cut my teeth on. Try an aquatic first and go from there.

Steve

hey well i noticed the post so i thought i would ask...well i have a three toed boxie that i had had for a year...i was going ti make an outdoor enclosure this year but its getting colder so i think i will just wait till spring...she has been inside her whole life except in the summer wen i take her out for a bit...o and wat do i do for hibernation...i dont want to hibernate her so wat should i do?>

Don't hibernate her. Just built her a safe escape and predator proof enclosure outside and keep her outside during the months that the temperature stays 60 degrees or above. then take her in for the late fall and Winter months. She should be fine and all that natural sunlight and rain during the warmer months will do her a ton of good. Go to the box turtle forum as well lots of really knowledgeable folks can give you some pointers.

well ive been in and out of the box turtle forums and i heard that 60 is too cold.....

It is too late to contemplate a hibernation without significant risk. Just keep her under the same conditions indoors as before, but if she has not yet gone through a fall in captivity, she may go off food for awhile. Keep her warm, well-lighted and offer goodies, such as live nightcrawlers if this happens.

PS: for the record, I have had an adult female three-toed in my collection for over 20 years with no hibernation and relatively little exposure to the out-of-doors.