ChillyChelonia
New Member
Hello,
I'm very new here and do not actually have a tortoise yet, but I've been thinking about getting one for about a year and have been reading this forum for a few months now. I want to make sure I know what I'm getting into before I actually take the plunge and buy a tortoise.
My first question is: how much work is a tortoise really? The initial setup seems like it will take a huge amount of time and money, which I am totally fine with, but what I want to know about is the day-to-day. If I get a tortoise what does daily care look like? I'm just graduating college and though I have a job lined up already, I don't know what the next few years will bring. Will I be able to take my tortoise with me if I move (assuming landlords are okay with it)? Will I be able to travel and leave the tortoise at with an inexperienced person looking after it for a short time?
Secondly, I'm very conflicted about getting a hibernating vs. non-hibernating species. I live in the northeast US, so it is not an option for a tortoise to live outside year-round. I think right now I am gravitating towards getting an ornate box turtle because they're very beautiful, have good personalities, and don't get too big. However, I am very worried about the level of expertise and care to hibernate them properly. I think my second choice would be a red footed tortoise, only with one of these I would trade hibernation worries for size worries. I have seen a few conversations about russian tortoises, and while I know this superficial, I would prefer not to get one because I love the reds and yellows on the more decorative species.
Finally, should I get one tortoise or two? I would love to get two if it would not be detrimental to their happiness or health, but I have seen some conflicting information about this. In general it seems as though red footed tortoises would be happy in a pair, but I haven't found as much on box turtles other than that they do not live together in the wild. Could anyone please tell me if box turtles are okay in pairs?
Thank you very much to anyone who answers! Any help is appreciated!
I'm very new here and do not actually have a tortoise yet, but I've been thinking about getting one for about a year and have been reading this forum for a few months now. I want to make sure I know what I'm getting into before I actually take the plunge and buy a tortoise.
My first question is: how much work is a tortoise really? The initial setup seems like it will take a huge amount of time and money, which I am totally fine with, but what I want to know about is the day-to-day. If I get a tortoise what does daily care look like? I'm just graduating college and though I have a job lined up already, I don't know what the next few years will bring. Will I be able to take my tortoise with me if I move (assuming landlords are okay with it)? Will I be able to travel and leave the tortoise at with an inexperienced person looking after it for a short time?
Secondly, I'm very conflicted about getting a hibernating vs. non-hibernating species. I live in the northeast US, so it is not an option for a tortoise to live outside year-round. I think right now I am gravitating towards getting an ornate box turtle because they're very beautiful, have good personalities, and don't get too big. However, I am very worried about the level of expertise and care to hibernate them properly. I think my second choice would be a red footed tortoise, only with one of these I would trade hibernation worries for size worries. I have seen a few conversations about russian tortoises, and while I know this superficial, I would prefer not to get one because I love the reds and yellows on the more decorative species.
Finally, should I get one tortoise or two? I would love to get two if it would not be detrimental to their happiness or health, but I have seen some conflicting information about this. In general it seems as though red footed tortoises would be happy in a pair, but I haven't found as much on box turtles other than that they do not live together in the wild. Could anyone please tell me if box turtles are okay in pairs?
Thank you very much to anyone who answers! Any help is appreciated!