ShirleyTX
Active Member
Hello everyone! I have been lurking on the forum for a while, studying in preparation for a tortoise of my own. I have been studying the articles and forums and Facebook groups for several years.
I live in south central Texas. I am retired and a grandmother. We have a large native grass/weeds yard, so at first I thought about a sulcata. What personalities they have! But we have four dogs and the logistics of separating our large yard was too much for me. Then I learned of three redfoots to be received at a sanctuary nearby and I thought about adopting them. They would not need as much of the yard, but still would require fencing, a water pool, and a heated hide.
To be honest, I am older and not in perfect health. My daughter said to me, "Mom, it's not practical for you to try and build things outside in this heat. Isn't there a tortoise that can happily live inside?"
So I started looking at Mediterranean species as they do not get too large. Naturally my first stop was Chris Leone's Hermanni Haven site. And I came upon a true indoor tortoise: testudo kleinmanni, commonly known as the Egyptian tortoise, Kleinmann's tortoise, Leith's tortoise.
After more research on this unique species (the smallest tortoise in the northern hemisphere), I wrote to Chris who said he is "comfortable and happy" about my knowledge. He had one 2 year old Egyptian -- it is meant to be! I did not want to start with a hatchling of this species.... and so, this little 2 year old female is mine and will come home to me as soon as I finish her enclosure. I've named her "Sunshine".
If you are still reading this very long post - thank you! Much about the t. kleinmanni and its care are unusual; so perhaps at some point, I may be able to share information you find interesting. Thank you so much!
Shirley
Sunshine's About To Be Mom
I live in south central Texas. I am retired and a grandmother. We have a large native grass/weeds yard, so at first I thought about a sulcata. What personalities they have! But we have four dogs and the logistics of separating our large yard was too much for me. Then I learned of three redfoots to be received at a sanctuary nearby and I thought about adopting them. They would not need as much of the yard, but still would require fencing, a water pool, and a heated hide.
To be honest, I am older and not in perfect health. My daughter said to me, "Mom, it's not practical for you to try and build things outside in this heat. Isn't there a tortoise that can happily live inside?"
So I started looking at Mediterranean species as they do not get too large. Naturally my first stop was Chris Leone's Hermanni Haven site. And I came upon a true indoor tortoise: testudo kleinmanni, commonly known as the Egyptian tortoise, Kleinmann's tortoise, Leith's tortoise.
After more research on this unique species (the smallest tortoise in the northern hemisphere), I wrote to Chris who said he is "comfortable and happy" about my knowledge. He had one 2 year old Egyptian -- it is meant to be! I did not want to start with a hatchling of this species.... and so, this little 2 year old female is mine and will come home to me as soon as I finish her enclosure. I've named her "Sunshine".
If you are still reading this very long post - thank you! Much about the t. kleinmanni and its care are unusual; so perhaps at some point, I may be able to share information you find interesting. Thank you so much!
Shirley
Sunshine's About To Be Mom