Newbie in canada

[Summer2000]

Hey, i am a tortoise owner to be in british columbia canada, it stays on the colder side up here especially at night even in the summer, in winter its very wet and around 0 to -5 i am thinking about getting a hermann tortoise but im up for some suggestions, i want something that is not crazy expensive. Something that is small and a good beginner tort, and preferably quite sociable if possible. I was thinking a russian too! What do you guys think?

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi and welcome !

 

[Pearly]

Welcome from Texas

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome!

 

[Summer2000]

Thanks everyone! Love this forum so far

 

[JoesMum]

Hey, i am a tortoise owner to be in british columbia canada, it stays on the colder side up here especially at night even in the summer, in winter its very wet and around 0 to -5 i am thinking about getting a hermann tortoise but im up for some suggestions, i want something that is not crazy expensive. Something that is small and a good beginner tort, and preferably quite sociable if possible. I was thinking a russian too! What do you guys think?

Hi

Russians have bags of personality and are very active. They need a minimum of 8'x4'

Please read the Beginner Mistakes thread
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

And the Russian Care Sheet
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

So you understand what you're getting into for the next 50+ years of a tort's lifespan!

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

Hello fellow Canadian. Russians (or Hermann's) are good choices in Canada if you can't offer a large indoor enclosure for winter because you can hibernate them until the season is over. There are lots of excellent Testudo keepers here to help you get started.

 

[Summer2000]

Hi

Russians have bags of personality and are very active. They need a minimum of 8'x4'

Please read the Beginner Mistakes thread
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

And the Russian Care Sheet
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

So you understand what you're getting into for the next 50+ years of a tort's lifespan!

Hi

Russians have bags of personality and are very active. They need a minimum of 8'x4'

Please read the Beginner Mistakes thread
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

And the Russian Care Sheet
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

So you understand what you're getting into for the next 50+ years of a tort's lifespan!

Hey 8'x4' as a adult correct? Thatll be okay! Im gunna have a full room dedicated to my reptile babies

 

[JoesMum]

Hey 8'x4' as a adult correct? Thatll be okay! Im gunna have a full room dedicated to my reptile babies

Just be aware that tortoises are NOT social animals. They don't get lonely and they don't need, want or particularly like company. Another tort is simply competition for space and food.

They are expert bullies, both mentally and physically.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...together-a-lesson-learned-the-hard-way.94114/

 

[Summer2000]

Just be aware that tortoises are NOT social animals. They don't get lonely and they don't need, want or particularly like company. Another tort is simply competition for space and food.

They are expert bullies, both mentally and physically.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...together-a-lesson-learned-the-hard-way.94114/

Of course! Ive read up lots on that already! I totally understand, i have a leopard gecko and a snake and getting some chameleons, i will only be getting one tortoise! I do not house any of my reptiles together if there ks any risk at all associated (so basically nothing of mine will get put together lol) i appreciate all the advice, im so excited!

 

[Summer2000]

Hello fellow Canadian. Russians (or Hermann's) are good choices in Canada if you can't offer a large indoor enclosure for winter because you can hibernate them until the season is over. There are lots of excellent Testudo keepers here to help you get started.

I havent seen really anything on my care sheets about hibernation yet, is there a place i can find that info? Or am i missing something?

 

[JoesMum]

I havent seen really anything on my care sheets about hibernation yet, is there a place i can find that info? Or am i missing something?

Hibernation should only be done with larger torts when they are completely healthy. I would suggest you start by over-wintering awake.

Torts don't have to hibernate. I hibernate mine by the way.

 

[Summer2000]

Ok cool so i shouldny worry about it?

 

[JoesMum]

Ok cool so i shouldny worry about it?

Not for the time being. Hibernation isn't mandatory. You just need plenty of space in your indoor enclosure

 

[Summer2000]

Im getting a hatchling, how big do you think would be suitable the breeder told me 1x1 or 1x2 (ft) i found a thing called tortoisesupply.com would that be a good place to get food

 

[JoesMum]

Im getting a hatchling, how big do you think would be suitable the breeder told me 1x1 or 1x2 (ft) i found a thing called tortoisesupply.com would that be a good place to get food

I have no experience with hatchlings. You need @Tom or @Yvonne G

 

[Lyn W]

Im getting a hatchling, how big do you think would be suitable the breeder told me 1x1 or 1x2 (ft) i found a thing called tortoisesupply.com would that be a good place to get food

Hi and welcome. By the time you've added a hide, plants, water and food saucers 1 x 2 sounds a wee bit small to me, but I may be wrong - my tort was quite big when he adopted me. You also need it to big enough to have a cooler area as well and of course torts like to explore, but wait and see what the more experienced folks say.

 

[Rue]

I have a 40 g for my hatchling. It is not remotely too small. What food do you need to order? Between the grocery store and Petsmart I found everything I needed so far. Now that spring is here and plants are growing I should be able to collect fresh weeds and anything I seed myself.

 

[Summer2000]

I dont have petsmart just petland i need weeds ect and some tortoise pellets i guess? People suggested some stuff but i havent looked yet