Reptile & Amphibian Forums

n/p

how much space do u have available?
how much money are u willing to spend?
what region are u located?
what type of personality are u looking for?
etc...
answer these and we might be able to help

-Rick Grape

1.I have a backyard and i have some large cages.

2.On care i will spend how ever muc is needed and and on the tortoise i would like sumthing cheap.

3.I live in Oklahoma city,OK

4.Any personality would due fine exept an agressive one.

I was thinking about a sulcata,greek,russian, or redfoot tortoise.

You'll pay whatever it takes for care...this is very good. I can honestly say however this is where you spend the most cash. Don't be surprised how much you spend in the long run. Even if its only $10 a week for food, or making your own pen for only $100, it adds up quick.
I'd suggest being prepared to spend about $500 bucks on startup costs if not more (this figure also includes things like backup substrate, backup bulbs, etc).

You said you'd like a cheap tortoise. Define cheap. I've seen imported russians for $30 before...unfortunately they tend to be full of parasites, and possibly very sick. This will cost you lost of money in vet bills.
Basically what I'm saying is you could buy a "cheap" tort but pay for it in the long run with vet bills and the like. Or you could buy a more expensive tort (i.e. captive bred) and have a healthy animal to begin with.

My thought is you can buy all sorts of CB torts out there for about $100-$200. Russians, Greeks, Hermanns, etc. These are the one to look for.

THE tortoise that got me into tortoises in general is the russian tortoise. I live in Rhode Island where the climate is VERY hot during the summer and we're buried in snow all winter. The russian tortoise is quite adaptable and quite hearty. Russian tortoises can be kept outside all year round if you live in a warmer area. But if you live in a situation like me, you can keep them out for the warm season and when it gets cold outside you can bring them inside (which is easy because of their small size) or if you provide the proper husbandry, you can hibernate them. Actually, you can keep them indoors all year round if you provide proper husbandry. But, sunshine is the best light they can get (and that doesn't mean through a window). Russian tortoises have amazing personalities. Mine let me pet their heads and the back of their necks. There is soooooo much to say about these tortoises.
go to: http://www.russiantortoise.org/ for more information. Take care and good luck! Tortoises are the greatest animals ever.
Russian Tortoise

Only kidding. They do make great pets and are very easy but most folks don't realize the size they attain which takes them out of the 'best first tortoise' class.
Russians are, by far, an excellent choice. I know a local person who has captive bred babies for $100 which is an excellent price for captive hatched babies.
WC animals are available at half the price but they are a major gamble if you do not know what to look for.
Then there's Redfoots, Hermans, Marginateds and Greeks. All of these are easy to keep as a rule.
Ed

I've never met one that wasn't a cool critter. They're hardy, easy to feed, & don't get too big. What's not to like?