Hello,
I am new to this forum and the husbandry of tortoises in general. I do have a decent amount of exotic animal experience, and I realize there will be some similarities as the husbandry of other reptiles, such as UVB, full spectrum UV rays for vitamin D synthesis, Calcium and maintenance of appropriate Cah ratio via diet, moisture for growth (moist hide), basking, etc. etc. etc. Of course each factor is dependent on individual species and it's native climate.
I am very interested in adding some torts (2 max) to my collection, and am just taking my time now doing research, gathering supplies as I go and being patient. I do not have any at the moment and I don't mind waiting months or even a year to get everything ready and know I am buying the right species for me.
I should give you all a brief view of myself/my goals with pets. I rescue several animals and give them permanent homes, with mammals this can be difficult as their lack of bonding or terrible treatment can make them a lot of work to tame and bond with. I put a great amount of energy daily into each of my mammals/marsupials, especially the rescues as they do need a bit more help. Reptiles are a bit easy as they often do not bond the way mammals do and typically if they have not been cared for appropriately the owner didn't hold them much anyways so there aren't nearly as many behaviours to correct and socializing a reptile that is finally getting everything it needs and is healthy is incredibly rewarding as they do seem to show more appreciation for proper care and kindness towards the rescuer… This has been my experience anyways, and I would love to rescue some torts are there are far too many being bred and homeless. These animals live an incredibly long time and it's unfair to continue to buy babies when there are adults in need and will be in need for possibly another 50 years (more or less depending on species). I am it the process of building a private zoo with my rescues and getting licensed to use animals for educational purposes. I have a small birthday party business and would love to start offering educational programs for children's birthdays using my pets. Eventually I would like to have enough money to open a proper zoo facility but that is a very long term goal…. after I get my DVM lol.
Long story short, I live in Ontario Canada and know already that many oppose the idea of Canadians owning larger species of tortoises. I can't really help but be in love with Sulcatas and Leopards. I know, I feel guilty. But I am open minded to other species as well. I intend to build a biodome structure in which I will create several different enclosures for different tropical animals, including tortoises. I will have (for the warmer season) each enclosure with a private exit and blocked off land for grazing or various activities depending on the animal. This is a bit more of a long term goal.
I also intend to extend my home, so to speak, by building a greenhouse type structure under my 15 foot high deck (open basement) fully insulated and indoor access to my home. My deck space runs 50x10 and I would like to extend the room out by another 5 feet as well (so 50x15) to provide more sun as this part will be entirely glasses in. Anyways, I would like to use a portion of this space in the mean time, until the biodome is ready, to house the torts. Now it all depends on what age I get the torts at and their size as well as the species…. I would be kind of cool to get hatchlings and watch them grow in my home for a few years but it would break my heart not to rescue.
I live on 4 acres in a forest on a lake, and have grass land as well. The winters are cold, obviously, though the snow and wind and cold isn't as bad at my home as we are well surrounded with trees which provide protection. We have 4 seasons and the temps would be appropriate for the torts to go outdoors april, may, june, july, august, sept. and part of october. If looking up where I live to get a better idea of the year round climate would help then research the Lanark Highlands of Ontario.
So what do you all think so far? What species do you think would be best for me? I do love big, but I won't throw a fit over it lol. Do you think as a first timer I should do a rescue? or have a hatchling, get more experience then rescue? Rescues are a bit more complicated.
Nice to meet you all
I am new to this forum and the husbandry of tortoises in general. I do have a decent amount of exotic animal experience, and I realize there will be some similarities as the husbandry of other reptiles, such as UVB, full spectrum UV rays for vitamin D synthesis, Calcium and maintenance of appropriate Cah ratio via diet, moisture for growth (moist hide), basking, etc. etc. etc. Of course each factor is dependent on individual species and it's native climate.
I am very interested in adding some torts (2 max) to my collection, and am just taking my time now doing research, gathering supplies as I go and being patient. I do not have any at the moment and I don't mind waiting months or even a year to get everything ready and know I am buying the right species for me.
I should give you all a brief view of myself/my goals with pets. I rescue several animals and give them permanent homes, with mammals this can be difficult as their lack of bonding or terrible treatment can make them a lot of work to tame and bond with. I put a great amount of energy daily into each of my mammals/marsupials, especially the rescues as they do need a bit more help. Reptiles are a bit easy as they often do not bond the way mammals do and typically if they have not been cared for appropriately the owner didn't hold them much anyways so there aren't nearly as many behaviours to correct and socializing a reptile that is finally getting everything it needs and is healthy is incredibly rewarding as they do seem to show more appreciation for proper care and kindness towards the rescuer… This has been my experience anyways, and I would love to rescue some torts are there are far too many being bred and homeless. These animals live an incredibly long time and it's unfair to continue to buy babies when there are adults in need and will be in need for possibly another 50 years (more or less depending on species). I am it the process of building a private zoo with my rescues and getting licensed to use animals for educational purposes. I have a small birthday party business and would love to start offering educational programs for children's birthdays using my pets. Eventually I would like to have enough money to open a proper zoo facility but that is a very long term goal…. after I get my DVM lol.
Long story short, I live in Ontario Canada and know already that many oppose the idea of Canadians owning larger species of tortoises. I can't really help but be in love with Sulcatas and Leopards. I know, I feel guilty. But I am open minded to other species as well. I intend to build a biodome structure in which I will create several different enclosures for different tropical animals, including tortoises. I will have (for the warmer season) each enclosure with a private exit and blocked off land for grazing or various activities depending on the animal. This is a bit more of a long term goal.
I also intend to extend my home, so to speak, by building a greenhouse type structure under my 15 foot high deck (open basement) fully insulated and indoor access to my home. My deck space runs 50x10 and I would like to extend the room out by another 5 feet as well (so 50x15) to provide more sun as this part will be entirely glasses in. Anyways, I would like to use a portion of this space in the mean time, until the biodome is ready, to house the torts. Now it all depends on what age I get the torts at and their size as well as the species…. I would be kind of cool to get hatchlings and watch them grow in my home for a few years but it would break my heart not to rescue.
I live on 4 acres in a forest on a lake, and have grass land as well. The winters are cold, obviously, though the snow and wind and cold isn't as bad at my home as we are well surrounded with trees which provide protection. We have 4 seasons and the temps would be appropriate for the torts to go outdoors april, may, june, july, august, sept. and part of october. If looking up where I live to get a better idea of the year round climate would help then research the Lanark Highlands of Ontario.
So what do you all think so far? What species do you think would be best for me? I do love big, but I won't throw a fit over it lol. Do you think as a first timer I should do a rescue? or have a hatchling, get more experience then rescue? Rescues are a bit more complicated.
Nice to meet you all