Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I want to get 1 or 2 torts for me and my kids (4 and 7). I have researched a lot and am still undecided. I am worried about dealing with hibernation. I live in Ohio so, will have to be inside for a good part of the year. One reference did not recommend russians as indoor pets. I like the hermans, but there is the hibernation thing. I have looked into the cherryhead redfoots, but am not sure how to keep the humidity and temp high enough. The only room that I could dedicate to torts, would be in the basement (unfinished), but I am worried it would be too cold. I know I want captive bred, but not sure which tortoise would be best. Is it possible to never allow them to hibernate?
Can you reliably keep the humidity and temp up enough in the open tort. table design for a cherryhead? My husband is a good carpenter, so we could build something. We had considered buying a 40 gal breeder tank and setting it into a cabinet, so that the tort could not look out, would that be too small for 2 small cherryheads? I know this is a long post, but I want to make the right decision. Also is it possible to ship from Calif. to Ohio this time of year? Any rec. for breeders in the midwest would be great, I have contacted several local herp. societies without any luck. We even drove 3 hrs to a herp show- no torts!
Also, if I buy a tortoise from a breeder on the other side of the country, what sort of guarantee should I expect? I would take to a vet as soon as they arrived. There is a gent. advertising cherryheads on turtletimes forum, he has 7 and the price is very reasonable, is this a bad move? I have contacted several rescue orgs as well, and have found an adult russian, but most likely wc, so worried it would not do well in our active household. Please excuse all the rambling, but as a vet, we tend to over analyze. Thank you in advance for the help.

Give it a little time and I'm sure you'll get plenty of responses to your question.

In the mean time you should have no trouble setting up a nice enclosure in the basement for any tortoise.

For the Redfoots the environment does not need to be humid but a humid hiding place is a very good idea. This holds true for any tortoise.

The only real problem you are going to have is good heating. I'd suggest insulating the walls of the enclosure regardless of where you put it.

Many people who keep tortoises in the northern climate make a totally enclosed enclosure.

Finally, you might post your question on some of the Yahoo tortoise groups. There are specific groups for any of the tortoises you might be interested in along with good general groups.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

"I am worried about dealing with hibernation. I live in Ohio so, will have to be inside for a good part of the year. One reference did not recommend russians as indoor pets."

"The only room that I could dedicate to torts, would be in the basement (unfinished), but I am worried it would be too cold. I know I want captive bred, but not sure which tortoise would be best."

your cold basement is an ideal situation for hibernating russian tortoises. i used my basement in minnesota all the time to hibernate russians. once you've talked to enough people, it's easier than you might imagine.

if you want to talk with experienced russian keepers, go to russiantortoise.org. very helpful, very friendly. good website with tons of up-to-date info.

matt

I really don't want to hibernate the tortoise though, I was hoping to get a tort that does not hibernate, or to not hibernate them if possible.

DECISIONs:
Sorry, did you say you are a vet? still...a cb is what everyone will strongly recommend even if you had all that meds @ your disposal...

THERE'S A TORT FOR EVERYONE...JUST LIKE THERE'S A WOMEN FOR EVERY MAN ( or WOMEN?...or vise versa so the saying goes...)

Anyway, since you had narrow down to the sleepless type, the options for your decision are big or small, pretty or bland (and of course the ka$$$ching things...) if you have not check out those major tortsites, here's a quickie:

_Pretty looking kind: (from big to small)
Leopards, Radiatas, Red/Yellow foots, Stars (Burmese/Sri Lanken/Indian), Pancakes, Spiders (there's more but mostly untouchables)...

_Boring looking type:
Sulcata (big and VERY helpful for your basement's nuclear-tunnel project) . Ploughshare, Burmese mountains, Egyptian (very small, full grown males usually NEVER pass that "4-inch-law"...how embarassing...)

HABITATs:
Ain't you glad to have ye man for this task...and like i said MANY TIMES BEFORE, I'm not an advocate for indoor habitat, even if you live in OH, I still hope this is a temporary thing...and since it's in the basement, a total enclosed or at least the top need to be covered because you never know when that leak creeps in...materials to consider are: composite plastics (structure/exterior cladding) yes, you pay more but it cost less in da long run. Styrofoam (insulation) light and effective.. and I strongly recomend you (or tell him) to make it portable so that when Summer comes... you'll see what it means...

TRANSACTIONs:
A reputable breeder perhaps, I'm sure there are decent little operators out there but It's risky to buy online especially if you don't know the person you are dealing with, ask questions/refs/or background check online (BOI on FaunnaClassified and so...)... it's only common sense that you do whatever it takes to protect yourself...Hmmm, now that Xmas is near...that lil' Xtra careful is a def...

So, a few things have been decided. We are going to keep the torts in a watering trough (2x6x12in), probably in our bedroom or living room. The female has extra scutes, but I could not find any reference saying this would be a problem. The gentleman will guarantee them for a week, I will take them to a colleague who works with a zoo for a check up, as sson as they arrive. I have not been able to find any local breeders. The seller has emailed me pics, and has been really prompt about everything. I am not sure how to post pics, or I would have. The torts are eating well and are about 4- 5 inches. He also accepts paypal- so if there is a big prob. I may have some recourse.
Thanks so much for all the info. Wish me luck.