Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been looking into getting a turtle or tortoise, but dont know which would be the best. I was wondering what everyone's opinions were on the best type for a pet.
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Heidi Kagarise
purpledragon777@hotmail.com

1.0.0 MALI UROMASTYX (Spike)
1.0.0 BEARDED DRAGON (Dexter)
0.2.0 LEOPARD GECKO (Bitsy & Jewel)
0.1.0 BALL PYTHON (Mona Lisa)
1.0.0 DESERT KINGSNAKE (King Tut)
1.0.0 BUDGIE ('G')
0.1.0 POTBELLIED PIG (Zoey)
2.2.0 BARN CATS
0.0.3 FISH
0.1.0 MINI REX RABBIT (Tu)

Hello,
The best turtle would be a native species that can live all or most of the year outdoors in a natural set up, such as a box turtle or aquatic species. Many states have a turtle/tortoise society who can guide you in selecting an animal appropriate to your location (for example, a Leopard or Greek tortoise wouldn't do well in a humid, cool climate whereas a native box turtle probably would) and probably has either rescued/rehabbed or captive bred animals available. Turtle Homes, World Chelonian Trust and Tortoise Trust have large bases of groups offering adoptable animals as well as care info.
Turtles are quite a varied lot, so you'd need to decide how much space you have to devote to an animal, what you are willing to spend on feeding (it appears you have many reptiles, as I do, and most species can share diets without too much of a financial increase) and set aside for vet care, which is often needed with exotic tortoises tending to succumb to respiratory infections. Personally, I'd start with a box turtle or a male slider/cooter as they can be easily housed outdoors in most states, are hardy and managable if wintering indoors in needed.
Good luck,
Wendy Browne
http://www.gctts.org
wendy@gctts.org

Heidi -

Basically you would have to give more information about yourself and your living situation. This way people can give you an idea of what kinds of animals would be best suited for your living situation. A Sulcata is a magnificent and fun tortoise to have but if you live in a climate where you can leave it out for most of the year or in an apartment it would be difficult or an impossible situation for you.

How much space, time and $$ etc. can you devote to a turtle? Would you prefer aquatic or land species. Just this basic kind of stuff so folks have a little more to go on.

Steve

OOPS meant to say (regarding the sulcata) where you CAN'T leave it out for most of the year

Ok, here is more information.

I live in southern Pennsylvania. Winter gets down to 0 - 20 degrees at times. Summer gets up to 80 - 90 degrees at times. Gets pretty windy here most of the time.

I live on a small farm, so plenty of yard space.

I have a 3 yr. old son who is great with animals.

We have horses, cats, a pig, plus other inside animals (reptiles mainly).

I would prefer a land turtle.

I dont have alot of money, but im not stretched for cash either.

I hope this helps everyone, if you need to know anything else just let me know. Thanks.
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Heidi Kagarise
purpledragon777@hotmail.com

1.0.0 MALI UROMASTYX (Spike)
1.0.0 BEARDED DRAGON (Dexter)
0.2.0 LEOPARD GECKO (Bitsy & Jewel)
0.1.0 BALL PYTHON (Mona Lisa)
1.0.0 DESERT KINGSNAKE (King Tut)
1.0.0 BUDGIE ('G')
0.1.0 POTBELLIED PIG (Zoey)
1.2.0 BARN CATS
0.0.4 FISH
0.1.0 MINI REX RABBIT (Tu)

I live right outside Carlisle, PA. I keep Russian Tortoises outside year round here. I only see them for about 4-5 months of the year, but they do fine living outside. You have to provide a spot that stays dry all the time though.

The other species I have, only go outside for 4 months, and then I house them indoors the rest of the year, so that's something to think about.
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Jeff H.
http://www.jandsherps.com

>>I live right outside Carlisle, PA. I keep Russian Tortoises outside year round here. I only see them for about 4-5 months of the year, but they do fine living outside. You have to provide a spot that stays dry all the time though.
>>
>>The other species I have, only go outside for 4 months, and then I house them indoors the rest of the year, so that's something to think about.
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>>Jeff H.
>>http://www.jandsherps.com

How big do Russian Tortoises get? What species do you have that are indoors mostly? An idea on the sizes of them would be good too. Thanks so much.
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Heidi Kagarise
purpledragon777@hotmail.com

1.0.0 MALI UROMASTYX (Spike)
1.0.0 BEARDED DRAGON (Dexter)
0.2.0 LEOPARD GECKO (Bitsy & Jewel)
0.1.0 BALL PYTHON (Mona Lisa)
1.0.0 DESERT KINGSNAKE (King Tut)
1.0.0 BUDGIE ('G')
0.1.0 POTBELLIED PIG (Zoey)
1.2.0 BARN CATS
0.0.4 FISH
0.1.0 MINI REX RABBIT (Tu)