Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have owned many types of frogs, geckos and even a bearded dragon. As a matter of fact I still have them all. I was at the white plains Retile expo and fell in love with a star tortoise. I wanted to buy on and I nearly did but I always like to research stuff before I do. So I held myself back. Are these good for beginers with tortoises? I know they require high humidity and a herbovore diet. Is this a good decision for a first time Tortoise owner? I have a 24" x 16" enclosure is that good?

Thanks

Your help is appreciated.

What I am looking for is a herbavore turtle or tortoise that will be happy in a 24 x 16 enclosure.

Thanks Again.

No tortoise would be happy in the size enclosure you're talking about. You really need something quite a bit bigger for even the smaller species (russian, Hermann's, etc.). My smallest enclosure is 2' x 3', and that's for a pair of Western Hermann's that are only about 2" each. All my tortoises also have larger outdoor pens, and will eventually have year-round outdoor accomodation when they're adult size. Tortoises need to roam to be happy and healthy.

If you can rethink the space you have available, then the smaller species would probably work out for you, but it's always best to have outdoor space for them as well.
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Sohni
Northern California

I've always read that keeping them humid is a good way to give them respiratory infections. I keep mine pretty dry.

A star tort is not a good beginner tort or at least that's what I was told when I started to keep tort years ago. I keep stars and they should not be kept in high humidity. A humidity hide should be provided but the rest of the enclosure should stay relatively dry. Their diet is similar to leopard torts, mainly weeds, grasses, flowers and opuntia, little to no fruit. The enclosure you mentioned is way too small, you should consider a smaller tort like a Russian instead if yu don't have the space. Stars are typically shy torts, just another thing to consider.

I keep my juvenile stars in 20 longs. not sure on the size versus what you put.

Hello -
I also would concur that the area you're proposing is too small, for anything except a hatchling. Thus it may be sufficient for 6 months or so, if you get a neonate. Also, a lot of tortoises don't "get" glass, so I would further recommend covering the sides of the tank (assuming the sides were glass to begin with). A hide box, water dish, food dish, and sometype of cage furniture would all be necessary and recommended for the health of the tortoise. There also are a number of good caresheets available which spell out husbandry better than I can in this limited forum. Not too much food or too much protein, as either can result in more pyramiding than you'd like.
The conventional thinking has been (and in many circles, continues to be) that Star tortoises are not for beginners. Period. Not only are they relatively expensive and scarce, but they have a had a reputation for being difficult to keep. I personally think that this was especially true when most stars were wild-caught (and often wouldn't make it even if husbandry parameters were correctly "nailed". Nowdays, most stars are captive bred (although a fresh new wave of imports is currently coming in, so watch out).
I, like most experienced chelonian keepers, would (first and formost) steer you away from wild-caught tortoises. I personally don't think that stars are that much more difficult than most other chelonians, but others might disagree. They are a little shyer than some other species, so if you want a really outgoing tortoise, you might look at other species. I would also suggest that you continue to communicate with others who keep them (like you're doing), and build up a network of contacts. It's always good to have some type of informal support system, in case (knock-on-wood) your tortoise gets sick or is involved in a traumatic accident.
Keeping them outside in warm weather is good, but many tortoises (and box turtles) have met an untimely demise at the paws of a racoon. It's very important to make sure your outdoor enclosure is Racoon, dog, and varmit proof.
Good luck,
Scott Alexander
Vice-President, BAARS
The Bay Area Amphibian and Reptile Society