Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello I'd like to ask all you tortoise lovers out there what would make a better tortoise for a pet the ratiated tortoises or the spider tortoises. I know the basics about the tortoises and I am leaning towards a spider tort, so i would also like to ask if anyone knows a less expensive way to get a hold of a hatchling. thanks any help would be much apericated

If you are looking for less expensive, you picked two premium torts. If you are willing to take on a radiated which can grow to roughly 16" or more, consider a leopard or perhaps a indian star. The price range is 1/5th or less of a radiated and the care is roughly the same.

Additionally, both the spider and radiated are either endangered or extremely threatened in their native habitats, making them most appropriate for a breeder or conservation partner vs. a pet that will not contribute to the species survival. If you are looking to breed them, congrats. There are many programs that you can participate with, however expect the cost to acquire and maintain a group of these torts to be very high.

Just some thoughts.

Much would depend on your level of experience with tortoises, the thickness of your wallet, and where you reside. Both are very hardy species when the husbandry is correct. Spiders are cheaper, smaller, have a more varied diet, require less space, and need typical forest tort (low light, high humidity, moderate temps) husbandry. The rich mans sulcatta (otherwise known as the Rad) has husbandry virtually the same as a Leopard (lots of space, hot, dry, and sunny) and will cost you at minimum 4 - 10x's the cost of a Spider and you need a CBW permit to own one, unless you live in the state they originate.

Unless you have a good number of years keeping torts I'd suggest a Spider for the reasons above. On the other hand Rad's are a very personable tort much like sulcatta's.

Good luck with your choice.

As one who has kept numerous tortoises for the past 50 years, including both species in question, I would have to say that Spider Tortoises ARE NOT for beginners. They are difficult to keep active through the winter and can go downhill and die very rapidly if one is not very careful. They will do the best when they can be left outside undisturbed for as much of the year as possible. On the other hand, Radiated Tortoises are virtually indestructible, very friendly once they are accustomed to their surroundings, and easy to keep going year after year with much less effort than Spider Tortoises (and many other species also). A USFWS CBW Permit is required to buy one from any state except the one in which you legally reside (it is not needed to OWN one, as someone else said). Certain states require their own state issued special licenses or permits to possess or to own endangered species in addition to the federal CBW Permit (CT And NY, for instance), so getting into the Radiated Tortoise hobby can be a bit difficult, but very rewarding once these barriers are overcome. Another very striking and hardy species which requires no permits as of now is the Burmese Star Tortoise. They however, are also expensive. You must decide whether it is better to pay a higher initial price to get a tortoise which is not likely to die on you or to go through several less hardy species and lose a few animals before you get that one exceptionally healthy one that may live for many years.

Hi i found your reply very helpful so thank you for that. also if you have another minute. i'd like to know what it is about spider tortoises that makes them harder to keep they seem to be a smaller version of the ratiated tortoise so it would seem to me that they would be easier. I've never owned a tortoise before but i have been breeding box turtles and i find them kind of simular. I have an outdoor pen which is about 3 x 6 feet so i'd be able to keep them out doors. would that be big enough for a radiated tortoise? i don't think i have room for a tortoise that big.

Hi! Spider Tortoises seem to want to remain quite inactive during the winter months and often do not eat for extended periods of time (weeks). They need to be waked up and placed in front of the food to eat. If they kept are too warm during this time, they lose all their reserves while not eating and can die early in the spring or summer. I have been keeping tortoises for 50 years and I haven't figured out how to keep some Spider Tortoises alive. Once they start to go downhill, it is a real battle to get them back to health. Also, they like to hide a lot, and are not very friendly. A Radiated Tortoise or a Burmese Star is a lot easier to keep healthy. If you live in FL or CA and can keep the Spiders outdoors year round, they will do better, but still can be tricky. A 3' x 4' pen will suffice for a Radiated Tortoise for at least 6-8 years, by the way.

Hi i just wanted to say thanks for the advice and i think that i am going to go with a radiated tortoise, but i also think i am going to wait a while. i have two three toed box turtles that are living in my out door pen which is 3 x 6 so it probably wouldn't be a good idea to keep a radiated with them right?
i was also wondering if you are in the breeding bussiness or if it is more of a hobby. also what do you feel is a fair price for a radiated hatchling?
thanks for all your help