Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay, I know you guys probably get sick of newbies asking these questions but I would really appreciate any feedback you can give out there! I have read your forums and chats for weeks and finally decided to sign up because after weeks of tortoise study I know this forum is my best resource!
After careful deliberation I have decided that my "tortoise craze," isn't going to stop so I have decided to become a proud tortoise mom. The problem is I can't decide on what kind! I have studied several kinds and am prepared to care for whatever type I parent. I know different types require varying diets, humidity etc. I will make anything work for the health of my pets! I have an acre of privacy fenced land and am ready to build a safe garden for the happiness of my new addition. I want a tortoise that is known for personality and friendliness. I know there is a debate out there as to weather or not tortoises are in fact affectionate but if there is a kind out there that is known for such....that's the one I want. I am not concerned with overall size because I have the room to house a sulcata if that's my choice. I even have an office I can dedicate to my tort in the winter as it gets bigger. I live in Northern Alabama so the humidity can be pretty high. I have read that leopards will not take well to my climate but I've also read things that contradict that! The seasons here are very odd but in a good way it doesn't get below 70 until late October and it gets above 70 by mid March. So when my hatchling is big enough it will have a good 7 months of outside time. Also, is it better to buy in pairs? I want to start building habitats and if a tortoise is happier with a companion I want to be ready for two! I have been thinking maybe a redfoot but every tortoise I look at seems so interesting I can't make up my mind! I just want a baby that will be suited to me and my home will be suited for it. Sorry this was so long I wanted to give you all the info I could think of! Thanks in advance for any help you can give!
1.1 dogs
2.1 cats
? RES (still a baby)

Go redfoot, I have kept sulcatas, I currently have a leo and two redfoots. I really think the redfoots have GREAT personalities, they love the humidity and of course are easy to come by: healthy captive bred torts that is...

A few posts down there is a thread about leopards vs. sulcatas, just below that is a post about leopards and humidity, check them out, they may help you narrow you choices...

-Good luck
-Ian

Thank you sooo much for your quick reply!! I am inclined to trust anyone with a Jethro Tull related user name! What about getting a pair? Does that add to overall tortoise happiness? I have really been leaning towards a refoot becuse of their notorious personality. Thanks again!

They really do not require companions...I do not think they get "lonely" in the sense a mammal might. For me, it's just as easy to keep a couple as it is one, and I find it thrilling to have them breed and raise hatchlings. So I tend to buy small groups and do not regret it. For others, something can be said for keeping it simple and just having one, and it is easy to get someone to assist with vacations etc, not always true when you have a menagerie like some of us. I think a Redfoot is an excellent choice, and I also like the European tortoises, but I do not have experience with the Alabama humidity. In fact, I choose which tortoises to keep based on comparing my local climate to that of native lands, and perhaps that is an angle you should consider. Good luck, do your homework and it will be mostly fun.

I'd agree with vic, torts dont really seem to "need" or even "want" companions. Its a matter of human instinct to think they'd be happier in pairs (I did get a pair of redfoots). Anyway, if you are going to purchase adults then try to get a pair (male and female that is) and you may be able to enjoy the antics of tortoise mating. If you get hatchlings or small torts you wont be able to sex them yet so the buying for mating thing may or may not work out.

But like Vic said also, its not really that much harder to take care of two then it is to take care of one (at least when they are small, when they get big it will mean TWO giant plates of food in th winter when the torts cant be outside grazing on a fertilizer and pesticide free lawn!).

The downside of pairs is occasionally you can have one aggressive tort and one passive tort. Sometimes the agressive tort will actually "bully" the passive tort, preventing it from eating, basking and such. You may have to have two seperate setups so the torts can be seperated if this is the case. There are good and bad points to keeping tortoises in pairs...

-Ian Anderson (yes that is my real name, and yes Jethro Tull is a damn good band!)