Reptile & Amphibian Forums

To those who have kept various tortoise species, which do you prefer and why? We will be getting a pair or trio as long-term family pets. Unfortunately I think the adult size of sulcatas is a little too much. Anything from M. emys on down is under consideration. Thanks!

Paul

I think you are wise to consider your climate, you can save $ and hassles by doing so. It is good to imitate natural habitat in a simplistic way. I enjoy a warm DRY climate so I do not work with the species best for you. Redfoots and Burmese Mt. tortoises come highly recomended, both have "outgoing" personalities and are readily available. I would try hard to get a captive hatched Burmese if you go with them, they have a poor record with imports, which are bought and treated as food commodities I am told in SE Asia. Good luck and let us know what you decide. Vic

Cherry Head Tortoises are the way to go. 12 inches max. Great personality.

My vote is for Indotestudo elongata (Elongated Tortoise).

I simply LOVE Elongated! They stay 'small', and are generally shy animals. Some people like 'interactive' torts... well, I like Elongata because they are secretive and seeing them out and about is always a treat. I think they are just not appreciated enough! Honestly, if I could house all that I produce I probably would (my wife would shoot me though).

So, I like Elongata more than the rest of the 'tropical' species. I also have Burmese Black and Brown. They are neat, but almost a little too 'needy' and that sometimes wears on me. Yeah, it's a STRANGE thing to say, but they do seem like lost dogs. Elongata just do their thing and I like 'em a whole lot. Also, adult size is generally not too large. Kind of like an over inflated football.

Matt

>>To those who have kept various tortoise species, which do you prefer and why? We will be getting a pair or trio as long-term family pets. Unfortunately I think the adult size of sulcatas is a little too much. Anything from M. emys on down is under consideration. Thanks!
>>
>>Paul

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"Change what you cannot accept... do not accept what you can't change!"

Tod Ashley C.$.C.

Hey Matt - do you have any Elongata for sale - I would like to buy about 20 if you do - Just messing with you- Barb M.

I need to renew my account here for that silly! Don't get my post yanked.

Matt-da-brat
p.s. 30 !!!!!

>>Hey Matt - do you have any Elongata for sale - I would like to buy about 20 if you do - Just messing with you- Barb M.
-----
"Change what you cannot accept... do not accept what you can't change!"

Tod Ashley C.$.C.

Thanks VICtort, smeese, and Matt J for the very helpful suggestions. Had been considering M. emys and redfoots, but will now also look into elongated tortoises. What about radiata, burmese stars (or other beautiful species from humid climates) if we can get them from breeders here in Florida? These are very expensive but it looks like over time the initial cost of the animals may be only a small part of the expense of tortoise keeping.

We intend to go with CB tortoises, since we want to support conservation efforts and want the animals to be well-acclimated and happy as pets. As far as parasites and diseases go, I am suspecting this may be an ongoing issue even with healthy CB animals when kept outside in this climate, even though we keep no other tortoise species. Am I right that there may be pathogens arriving on the grass from invertebrates, birds, & naturalized exotic lizards (that are everywhere in Miami)? Are there some tortoise species that are less likely to pick up diseases and parasites from our environs or do all tortoises kept outdoors here need regular treatment?

Thanks again, Paul