Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is the smallest tortoise in the trade and how much room does it require to house? In general, what does it take to keep any of the smaller tortoises like redfoots, hermanns, etc.? What are tortoise's like to keep, as far as personalites go? Are they pretty active or inactive?

I'm really more just curious than a potential buyer. Then again, a tortoise is just about the only herp I haven't owned at some point, so maybe I'll eventually think about getting one.

Egyptians are pretty small. Torts are generally easy to care for if you get the space, and food requirements down. Torts are cool, they are individuals and usually have personality. When I talk about my collection of reptiles I usually don't include tank cause hes more of a pet than one of the many reptiles I keep. They're great. I have one tortoise, a juvenile egyptian named Tank and I love him!!!

As you pointed out, Egyptians can be great pets IF you get the conditions down. Even then you have to admit they have the personality of a rock most of the time. There are exceptions but that is the rule for the most part.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Yeah, but they are cute and interesting to watch sometimes. They are very unique torts. I was killed with posts telling me that they are bad for beginneres but that is BS. Just get proper heat, space and food and you never have to worry about them again. I hear russians have personality though. How many egyptians do you have EJ? What tort has the best personality?

I think I have 12 or 13. 4 of those I've had 12 to 13 years. 6 are animals I hatched out about 6 years ago. One I hatched out a couple of years ago and one I recently picked up. They have been a real heartbreaker for me. I had a very tough time getting them established and even then I'm always expecting one to die. As you said, if you get it just right. I know many people who bought these as a first tortoise and they are doing fantastic with them but in most cases it is the only tortoise they are keeping and they pay very close attention to them.

I know most people don't want to hear this but it was the Egyptians which really got me convinced on Mazuri diet. They've been doing extremely well since I started feeding it to them.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

What is about egyptians that make them so hard. What do they require. I have been thinking about getting one, maybe. I like that they stay small and I read that they do well indoors. I have done a little research not a lot YET but I have not read before that they are hard. I currently have 2 russians, a star hatchling, and an ornate boxie. how would an egyptian compare to those guys.

Thanks
Christina
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0.0.1 Hatchling Indian Star Tortoise (Sitara)
1.1 Russian Tortoise (Willy & Mikey)
0.1 Ornate Box Turtle (Lily)
1.0 Red Eared Slider (Chester)
0.0.2 White's Tree Frog (Kermit & Phil)
0.0.1 Red eyed Tree Frog (Justin)
0.0.1 Big Eyed Tree Frog
0.0.2 Bubbling Frog
0.0.2 Tiger Leg Tree Frogs (Akari & Shiro)
0.0.3 Amazonian Milky Tree Frogs
0.0.1 Dwarf Megophrys
0.0.2 Rainbow Burrowing Frog/Ornate Hopper
0.0.1 Asian Blue Webbed Gliding Tree Frogs
0.0.1 Albino Pacman Frog
0.0.1 Budgett's Frog
0.0.2 Starry Night Reed Frogs
0.1 Praire Dog (Timmy)
0.2 Chinchillas (Layla & Snickers)
0.3 mice
0.1 dog (Holly)
2.0 Cats (Champ & Bear)

Oh and a husband

I feel very fortunate to have gotten one of the good ones. Tut is 2.5 years old, 2.75" long, & built like a tank. He's got a great appetite (LOVES Mazuri) & is fairly outgoing. He holds his own among 2 hermanns during the summer & spends the winter in a 2x3' tub in my bedroom.

I can't compare cause Tank is the only tort I have ever had. I find him to be one of the easiest pets I keep.

Russians stay fairly small, and they have great personalities. And they seem to be more tolerant of extreme conditions.

The genera Psammobates and Homopus are even a bit smaller than egyptians. Homopus only lay a single egg and would probably be pricey. The taxonomy for homopus is also confused with anywhere from 3 to 7 species described. Cute little buggers!!