Here's a place to rant about people making up stuff about owning a tortoise.

Clueless Tortoise

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Hi,
Thought I would go on a little rant cause sometimes we all need to do that.

Does anyone else get frustrated when people just make up stuff about how to care for a tortoise and then just post it on the internet for the world to see? Cause I am. I was on YouTube and all I see is people constantly giving their baby tortoise tons of fruit. Or that Russian tortoises need a cage of 3x2 feet. And god forbid anyone tells them that maybe they should try leafy greens or they need a bigger cage and there goes the comments. "How dare you say something like that! You can't even take care of your own tortoise", like they know you or something. Also I keep seeing people say how easy they are as pets. Here's some advice. If you feel that they are wayyyy too easy to take care of and you've never had a tortoise before, your probably doing something wrong that needs to be fixed, like only feeding your tortoise lettuce. And that's it. I think the thing that most upset me was this girl saying Russians ( for example ) only need 3x2 ft enclosures for adults. She also said she never bathes, waters, or does any maintenance on them, because they live outdoors. Oh but don't worry they get rain for water and sunshine for heat. And they only live outdoors. The Karens just come out and say whatever they want to about owning a tortoise when they can barely keep their pet goldfish alive.

Okay I'm done,

Lets have a conversation about this, cause lord knows some people on the internet will get offended if someone gives the slightest hint that what they are doing is gonna kill their pet.
 

Clueless Tortoise

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I must say as far as reptiles go.. tortoises are very easy keepers once their set up right.
Yes for sure, but to just go around and tell people you should get one because they are so easy and they don't need a lot of space or only eat lettuce is very ignorant. Im tired of the internet.
 

ZEROPILOT

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Its frustrating to take the time to answer a question in great detail when it's the same questions that get asked daily.
If that person then doesn't take your advice and soon after suffers for it.
A lot of people that ask for an opinion already have the response that they want in their head.
 

Srmcclure

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I've had to walk away from many conversations about tortoises. After you've said your piece thats all you can do. Your exactly right. They already have that idea in their head and they are going to do it any way. They just wanted you to agree, not help.

I agree, after you have it set up properly they can be easy. they still require a lot of work. My dog is potty trained. She's easy. Doesnt mean I don't do a whole heck of a lot to keep it that way lol. Every one on here already know lol

People on YouTube with tortoise hurt my soul. Ive seen some pretty scary things there...

I wish some of our crazy knowledgeable ppl on here would do some youtube videos! I know I know, lots of work! Lol. But all those comparisons in care you all do would blow other peoples BS out of the water lol. You can always tell when someone has actual years of experience telling you something than someone bought a torroise at a pet store and here's what I do! Rabbit pellets and iceberg lettace!
 

Clueless Tortoise

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That's a great way of putting it. I feel like we all understand that we give advice not to be mean or judgmental, but to make sure they live a happy and healthy life. We don't do it to be mean or for the fun of it, we care about tortoises and just want to help others out.

I agree, I guess you just have to walk away sometimes. I can continue to give advice, but if they don't take it then that's on them. The only thing that I can control is how I take care of my tortoise. I know I am a good tortoise owner. I have my flaws like anyone, but I do the best of my human ability to fix them. The best thing I can do is to continue to learn about tortoises. I still have a whole lot more to learn! And that's healthy that I acknowledge that! I'm fixing my mistakes and that's the best that I can do!!!
 

wellington

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I feel ya. We have had those kinds of people on here. Even though this forum has many collective years of experience the info given is still questioned.
I have made a few people quit because I will tell what I see wrong in a picture even though they just wanted to show how cute their tort is. Some members will play along and comment on the cuteness and then there are those like me that will help educate them.
What you do is not give up on those people doing it wrong. Tell them about this forum, the years of experience here and the research and experiments that are done by our members and then shared for the world to learn the new better ways. Along with those I have p***ed off, I have also had a few thank me for making them see the light and better the life of their shelled friend.
We, humans, are the only voice animals have. I will always stand and speak for the animal as I don't give much of a care for idiot humans.
 

Yossarian

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This is the battle on Reddit every damn day. Half the posts are "show off" cutsie posts that display incorrect care at best and abusive conditions at worst. The people that irritate me the most, other than the ones who think they know everything and everyone else is just wrong, are the people that chance a guess answer to things they dont know. Case in point, a recent post annoyed me, random person from southwest USA posts picture of desert tortoise asking what species this is. First poster says Hermanns, and gets upvoted, OP says thanks. Couple replies suggesting he take it inside and feed it lettuce, also upvoted. OP then says he sent the image to a Vet who said they think it is a Russian, smh. I posted asking where the OP lived, said it was a desert tort, split and protruding gular scutes and large fork shaped cervical scute both visible, that post got downvoted. Now o be clear, I dont care about up and down doots, but on a low traffic sub it controls what people read, and idiots read reddit and think upvotes mean correct. Then OP comes on saying they live in riverside county california so there are no wild torts there, again smh. Thing is, I know I should just post my mind and walk away, but I also feel a responsibility to the animal, frustrating.
 

Mrs.Jennifer

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Its frustrating to take the time to answer a question in great detail when it's the same questions that get asked daily.
If that person then doesn't take your advice and soon after suffers for it.
A lot of people that ask for an opinion already have the response that they want in their head.
In my family we have a term for people who ask a question and then try to get you to agree with their pre-formed, incorrect answer. We call them “ask-holes.”
 

Melissacoop

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Hi,
Thought I would go on a little rant cause sometimes we all need to do that.

Does anyone else get frustrated when people just make up stuff about how to care for a tortoise and then just post it on the internet for the world to see? Cause I am. I was on YouTube and all I see is people constantly giving their baby tortoise tons of fruit. Or that Russian tortoises need a cage of 3x2 feet. And god forbid anyone tells them that maybe they should try leafy greens or they need a bigger cage and there goes the comments. "How dare you say something like that! You can't even take care of your own tortoise", like they know you or something. Also I keep seeing people say how easy they are as pets. Here's some advice. If you feel that they are wayyyy too easy to take care of and you've never had a tortoise before, your probably doing something wrong that needs to be fixed, like only feeding your tortoise lettuce. And that's it. I think the thing that most upset me was this girl saying Russians ( for example ) only need 3x2 ft enclosures for adults. She also said she never bathes, waters, or does any maintenance on them, because they live outdoors. Oh but don't worry they get rain for water and sunshine for heat. And they only live outdoors. The Karens just come out and say whatever they want to about owning a tortoise when they can barely keep their pet goldfish alive.

Okay I'm done,

Lets have a conversation about this, cause lord knows some people on the internet will get offended if someone gives the slightest hint that what they are doing is gonna kill their pet.

I see it all the time on Facebook. I get so mad when they’re giving someone else advice that’s totally incorrect. I’ve been plastering Toms care sheets all over Facebook so hopefully people will start catching on!
 

Maro2Bear

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One of the questions that kills me every time is “Can i keep these two torts together?”.... Over and over, ppl ask this question, and over and over the responses are no....with all types of reasons why. BUT then the OPs always come back and say, well my torts are cute and cuddling and snuggling and even sleep together, etc.

Or, people with Sullys or Leopards etc who dont provide a proper heated night box AND WONDER why their tort stopped eating or moving. Is sluggish, etc. Overnight low temps are “only” in the 60’s...

Or water bowls so high, only a giraffe could drink from. And posters say, ive never seen my tortoise bathe or drink.....

Some of the “Can I feed this plant” questions kill me too. But, at least ppl are genuinely interested in knowing (I hope) what the plant is. We all have seen instances where ppl have fed toxic plants unknowingly.

Lastly, I know that LOTS of ppl provide great responses, I’m always amazed at @Tom ’s genuine willingness and commitment to respond so thoroughly! Time and time again, from the very routine questions to the bizarre to complicated. Tks Tom.

Ok, off to watch some YouTube tortoise care videos... ?

1. WATCH HERE ! How to Successfully Keep your Dwarf Sulcata Turtle in a 5 Gallon Tank
 

wellington

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Another, how does someone own a tortoise for any amount of time and not know what kind it is? Specially those that has had them for months or even years, ugh.
Also, someone is raising/hatching and they have no idea what something very common, that 99% of tortoises have, is. Ugh.
Years ago I can understand, before computers/internet. But now days, no.
 

Clueless Tortoise

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Another, how does someone own a tortoise for any amount of time and not know what kind it is? Specially those that has had them for months or even years, ugh.
Also, someone is raising/hatching and they have no idea what something very common, that 99% of tortoises have, is. Ugh.
Years ago I can understand, before computers/internet. But now days, no.

I feel that sooooo hard. Its like going to a breeder and adopting a puppy and not knowing what breed it is. I get so irritated because they try to do all this research, and then they just go to a chain pet store and buy a random tortoise. And these are grown adults. Not little kids who decided to get a tortoise and didn't know about the abuse at pet sores ( I don't recommend a kid getting one but you get my point) BUT GROWN ADULTS! I hear stupid stuff all the time as well. "can I feed my tortoise avocado or tons of cauliflower?". Part of my brain wants to type in all caps " WHAT TF IS WRONG WITH U! Would u feed ur dog chocolate" but I can't because that wont help anything. I just tell them what I know, refer them TFO, and give them names of people who are very reliable ( Tom, Yvonne , etc.) With some of these owners, someone needs to airlift the tortoises out. Leave the adults. take the tortoises. :)
 

jensem17

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Confirmation bias and the inability to accept constructive criticism has been and will continue to be our downfall.

It can be disheartening to put work into something and then be told it's wrong or harmful. Obviously, the easier route would be to assume that the person is wrong and then become defensive about it. I don't like it when I thought I was doing everything "right" and then am told ... ummm you missed this, and this and this. Yes, it's frustrating, but at the same time... you know what's worse? NEVER LEARNING!

Avoid the Facebook, Reddit, YouTube, etc... there be trolls... and dragons... and flat earthers...
 

Tom

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I like the ones who keep asking until 1 person finally tells them what they wanted to hear after 100 people have told them the opposite.

100 people say never to do something, and 1 person says they did it and their tortoise is still alive. This apparently makes th topic "debatable" or "controversial".

Willfull ignorance. Stubborness. I'm a very stubborn person, but not in that way. I hate being ignorant. I thank people for educating me.
 

Clueless Tortoise

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Apparently, correct me if I'm wrong, but according to Karen it is okay to constantly feed your tortoise fruit just so you can get YouTube views lmao. Veggies? What's that? I'm learning to laugh this stuff off cause at the end of the day, my tortoise isn't going to have kidney failure or digestive problems from eating way too much fruit. SMH
 
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