Hello folks, I'm new to this forum and to the world of tortoises. I've always been a snake guy and I recently joined my local reptile club. Our clubs leader has a reptile rescue business and has a few torties of his own, as well as everything else with scales. I may end up adopting one if he comes across one that suits me. I'm into organic gardening so I could give a tort a good habitat and safe diet.
I've done some reading here and on links from the classifieds with care sheets and info. The Marginated Tortoise seems the best choise so far. I'm not going to adopt a Sulcata or anything huge! I have a bad back so a really big tortoise is out of the question, but I want a tort that is big enough to not get laughed at by my other animals (no offense to the little tortie folks!) Also being able to live outside all year here in Northern CA is a definite plus.
If I get a Maginated, I'd build it a run in my garden, maybe I'd give up one of my raised veggie beds for it. Being off the ground would seem to have its advantages: Easier to reach and maintain, won't flood, and good soil. I'd probably build the run out of redwood with a chicken wire top that comes off in sections, and I'd make the run narrower than the planter so there's room to sit on the edge of the planter while cleaning it... Sound like a good plan?
How big of a run should a Marginated have to allow dandilions and grass and such to grow inside for diet supplement?
How does the personality of Marginateds compare to the other hardy European Tortoises or to Red Foots or Leopards?
How heavy can a Leopard Tortie get? If one of these becomes available for adoption I'd be very tempted to take it. I know I would have to have to bring it in at night and in the Winter, and it might be too heavy for me. Maybe I'll ask some Leopard Qs another time.
Sorry I'm so long winded today, thanks for reading. Any advice is welcome.
