I'm new, looking for advice! :^)

[ZilZipZap]

Hello! I plan to get a tortoise in around 2 months, on October 14th, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can to properly treat the animal! The species I'm looking into is the Greek [Also known as Spur Thighed] Tortoise. I'm planning on getting a male, as they are smaller than females and I assume that'll make it a little easier. I have a set-up planned, it's going to be slightly smaller than what they say is recommended because of the circumstances of the situation I'm in. It's gonna be 2ft 8inches long and 2ft 5inches wide. Since I don't exactly have as much space as needed, I'm thinking about making it two floors. Can they climb a 36 degree angle to get up there? Also, are Greek tortoises okay with sitting on laps [If they're properly supported]?


Alright! That's all, thanks!

 

[wellington]

That is only good for a hatchling. Hatchlings can't be sexed. When it does get bigger, do you have the room to house it in a bigger enclosure?
It will need at least a 4x8 when it's a few years old.

 

[ZilZipZap]

That is only good for a hatchling. Hatchlings can't be sexed. When it does get bigger, do you have the room to house it in a bigger enclosure?
It will need at least a 4x8 when it's a few years old.

Yeah, by the time it gets old enough I should have enough space

 

[Lyn W]

Hi and welcome,
There may be exceptions but most torts don't like being handled and often pee or poop because they are stressed by change. If handling is important to you then maybe consider a small mammal or something like a bearded dragon which I believe may be a bit more sociable, but I could be wrong so best to research.
This is the most recent and up to date caresheet for Greeks and other Mediterranean torts

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

A lot of information still being given by pet stores, social media, some other tort websites and even some non specialist vets, is old but if you follow the advice in this caresheet your tort should thrive and not just survive.

 

[wellington]

I handled mine leopards and Russian a lot when I first got them. Some hatchlings some adults. They get used to it and have no problems being handled and touched. I personally think its better. Mine won't be a problem if a vet ever has to examine them.
They are not fearful when I approach and they seem to handle changes much better then those that are not handled.
At least once daily, I would handle them or sit holding them other then the times I need to pick them up for their soaks.

 

[ZilZipZap]

That is only good for a hatchling. Hatchlings can't be sexed. When it does get bigger, do you have the room to house it in a bigger enclosure?
It will need at least a 4x8 when it's a few years old.

About the space problem, I'm worried about housing a tortoise outside, though it would provide more space, just because I won't be able to see and weather and possibly, predators. I'm torn on which to choose, also I'm not sure how comfortable I am with leaving a tort alone at night in case it flips over, there's a cat/possum/predator scaring it, it gets too cold, ect. Also, since the weather where I am is pretty unpredictable, so it can get cold very quickly [or hot, rainy, stormy ect.] and I wouldn't have too much space inside, as you said, to have it. I'm wondering if there's anything I can do about any of that, like cage material and protection ect.

 

[wellington]

Tortoises should only be outside free to roam during day light hours. After that they should be locked in a proper hide/shed for the night time.
Babies should be housed inside and brought out to a safe enclosure, one with chicken wire top, for short periods, depending on age.
I have feral cats, opossum, skunks, and couple different types of hawks/falcons and fox that I have seen come into my yard at night. None have bothered any of my animals, including my chickens, cuz everyone is locked up during the hours they are out.
The hawks/Falcons are out here during the day and for hatchlings, a wire top is needed.
Most peoples tortoises are outside daily at least during summer. Making a flip proof enclosure can be as simple as making it large/proper size and where they can't see outside the enclosure. Also making rounded corners and not square helps also. With proper outdoor substrate, natural ground/grass/weeds, etc, helps most tortoises to be able to right themselves.
With a hide they can come and go from on their own and a heater set up to a thermostat, the rain and cold wouldnt be a problems. Winters, if like in the snowy north, the tort needs a permanent inside heated enclosure.

 

[ZilZipZap]

Tortoises should only be outside free to roam during day light hours. After that they should be locked in a proper hide/shed for the night time.
Babies should be housed inside and brought out to a safe enclosure, one with chicken wire top, for short periods, depending on age.
I have feral cats, opossum, skunks, and couple different types of hawks/falcons and fox that I have seen come into my yard at night. None have bothered any of my animals, including my chickens, cuz everyone is locked up during the hours they are out.
The hawks/Falcons are out here during the day and for hatchlings, a wire top is needed.
Most peoples tortoises are outside daily at least during summer. Making a flip proof enclosure can be as simple as making it large/proper size and where they can't see outside the enclosure. Also making rounded corners and not square helps also. With proper outdoor substrate, natural ground/grass/weeds, etc, helps most tortoises to be able to right themselves.
With a hide they can come and go from on their own and a heater set up to a thermostat, the rain and cold wouldnt be a problems. Winters, if like in the snowy north, the tort needs a permanent inside heated enclosure.

Alright - - Sorry for the late reply. Could you send pictures of this sort of cage? [So I know what type of cage to make/set up for] Also, I do live in the snowy north, so I'll have to figure out how to provide heating/comfort. Also, if they are always housed outside, is a heating light necessary?

 

[wellington]

I don't have any pics of the kind of set up/ cage. My tortoises are all big.
If you search @Tom threads, he has what I am talking about.
Its basically 2x4x6 or better 2x4x8 or 2x4x10 screwed together to make a rectangle and you make two of them. In one, you attach chicken wire or hardware cloth fencing stapled or screwed to it. Then that can be hinged if you want or just laid on top, of the other one you made.
My tortoises are adults all 10 years or older. They live the winter in a insulated heated shed. Heated by an oil filled portable radiator heater on a thermostat. They each have a uvb light on during the day. For this winter I am making a heated hide for night time, so the over all temp can be a little lower at night.

 

[Tom]

About the space problem, I'm worried about housing a tortoise outside, though it would provide more space, just because I won't be able to see and weather and possibly, predators. I'm torn on which to choose, also I'm not sure how comfortable I am with leaving a tort alone at night in case it flips over, there's a cat/possum/predator scaring it, it gets too cold, ect. Also, since the weather where I am is pretty unpredictable, so it can get cold very quickly [or hot, rainy, stormy ect.] and I wouldn't have too much space inside, as you said, to have it. I'm wondering if there's anything I can do about any of that, like cage material and protection ect.

I agree with Wellington. Adults that are housed outside in favorable weather in favorable climates need to be locked up at night in the safety of their night boxes where nocturnal animals and bugs can't get to them. I close my night box doors and latch them shut every night, and open the doors every morning. You can also cage the tortoise to protect it, in addition to the night box. This is all explained in the care sheet that Lyn linked for you.