Looking for guidance...

[archerkid]

Hi all,
I am relatively new to the tortoise forum, only having made one post in the past. I have done some research but ultimately I am still concerned by a couple of things, given my current situation. I am a college student in Corvallis, Oregon, and I would like to purchase a tortoise. That said, if my current situation isn't conducive to proper husbandry, then I'd prefer to hold off until a better time. I'm hoping you all might be able to help me determine if this is an option for me!

1) Are there any readily available tortoises that can survive in Oregon? It stays around 30-40 degrees for several months in wintertime, so I am concerned it could be a little too chilly for them.
2) Seeing as I really only have one room to myself, are there any tortoises that could be comfortably housed in one room? Could they be set free to roam the floor as long as precautions were taken to keep them/the room safe? I can take them into the yard, but unfortunately I am at school for a good portion of the day, and wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them there, especially in the colder months.
3) Humidity indoors is generally around 55-65%. Is this a comfortable humidity for any particular tortoises? This can be bumped with substrate, but I won't be around throughout most days to check humidity hourly.
4) This is a relatively temporary living situation, and I'll be living elsewhere within 1-2 years. Are there any juvenile tortoises that could be housed in this situation, then have their habitats upgraded once I have a little more space?

I understand this is a difficult situation to care for a tortoise in, but I'd love to know if this is even feasible before I consider the other potential implications that pet ownership would bring with it. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
-Archerkid

*note: I have not owned a tortoise before, though I have dealt with geckos, chameleons, frogs, and fish in the past.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Archerkid.
Even though we have tortoise keepers that happen to live in your exact same town, I'd have to say that it doesn't really sound like you are quite ready to take one on at this time. You don't have the time or the correct conditions.
It is very wise of you to give this so much consideration beforehand.
Just my two cents.

 

[Yvonne G]

There are many, many tortoise-keepers who have indoor tortoises. Take a look through this thread:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/ideas-for-indoor-enclosures.65798/

...and get some ideas. See if anything there would work in your situation. I have four indoor set-ups right now. If you get a baby tortoise you don't really have to worry about taking it outside for a couple years. Here's what my kitchen looks like right now:





Please read our "beginner mistakes" thread before you invest in any tortoise supplies. Don't buy a compact fluorescent bulb.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

My sister lives in Corvallis. Maybe she has some words of wisdom for you. I'll send her a shout-out - @maggie3fan

 

[Tom]

Hi all,
I am relatively new to the tortoise forum, only having made one post in the past. I have done some research but ultimately I am still concerned by a couple of things, given my current situation. I am a college student in Corvallis, Oregon, and I would like to purchase a tortoise. That said, if my current situation isn't conducive to proper husbandry, then I'd prefer to hold off until a better time. I'm hoping you all might be able to help me determine if this is an option for me!

1) Are there any readily available tortoises that can survive in Oregon? It stays around 30-40 degrees for several months in wintertime, so I am concerned it could be a little too chilly for them.
2) Seeing as I really only have one room to myself, are there any tortoises that could be comfortably housed in one room? Could they be set free to roam the floor as long as precautions were taken to keep them/the room safe? I can take them into the yard, but unfortunately I am at school for a good portion of the day, and wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them there, especially in the colder months.
3) Humidity indoors is generally around 55-65%. Is this a comfortable humidity for any particular tortoises? This can be bumped with substrate, but I won't be around throughout most days to check humidity hourly.
4) This is a relatively temporary living situation, and I'll be living elsewhere within 1-2 years. Are there any juvenile tortoises that could be housed in this situation, then have their habitats upgraded once I have a little more space?

I understand this is a difficult situation to care for a tortoise in, but I'd love to know if this is even feasible before I consider the other potential implications that pet ownership would bring with it. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
-Archerkid

*note: I have not owned a tortoise before, though I have dealt with geckos, chameleons, frogs, and fish in the past.

1. Just like with your other animals, It doesn't matter what the outside temperatures are, if you are housing them inside.
2. If you can build a large enclosure, like 3x6' or 4x8', then any of the Testudo species will suit you just fine. Russians, hermanni, greeks. Tortoises should never be allowed to roam loose on the floor in an area where humans live. They need properly designed and heated tortoise enclosures. Even outdoors in the warmer months, your tortoise will need to be contained in a safe enclosure.
3. Your humidity should be fine for those species. Use damp substrate and offer a humid hide.
4. This should work for a juvenile or an adult.

If your set up is done correctly, it will not require a lot of daily maintenance. Fresh food and water, and a spot clean is all that will be required if your lights are on a timer. Soak the tortoise 2 or 3 times a week, and you should be fine.

Here is a russian care sheet to give you a better idea of what is involved:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[archerkid]

Thank you for all the feedback.
I took a few preliminary measurements, and it looks like I could manage about 2x5 or 2x6 feet. I know that bigger is better for these animals, but if there were a bit of vertical expansion, could an environment this size suit them? I'd like to start with a juvenile (during a portion of the year in which I have a bit more time for the additional care required) but 2 feet still seems like it could be a little thin.
Out of curiosity, could an enclosure be on the floor, or are there benefits to the height of a tortoise table that I'm presently unaware of?
Thanks again for the helpful feedback,
-Archerkid/Alex (whichever works better)

 

[Sara G.]

You could built upwards too. I know there are plenty of people that do two-story tortoise tables and they seem to work out okay. But the only issue with a table is that it's harder to keep the humidity levels up which is very important for baby torts.
For a baby 2x6 feet might not be so bad, but bigger is always better. Especially for Russians which like to move--a lot!
It's probably easier to keep the enclosure up--easier for you to get into/clean, but also easier to keep warm. The floor is really cold and it could make keeping your enclosure the proper temps that much more difficult.

 

[archerkid]

Thanks Sarah, I hadn't thought about the impact that height would have on humidity.
It looks like I can get an enclosure up to about 6x3 feet if I am really trying. For a juvenile Greek or Hermann's tortoise, would that be large enough? This enclosure would be upgraded as the tortoise grew. Near as I can tell, these juveniles are available Summer and/or Fall, so I wouldn't be getting one of them relatively soon, regardless. (It gives me more time for research and looking at tortoise pictures)
Thanks in advance!

 

[Momof4]

If you have a closed chamber it shouldn't really matter if it's up or down on the floor.
I use this with a book shelf lined with two shower curtain liners.
I hung the lights on the cross bar.
It stays warm and humid.
I have had it 2yrs and love it!


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HEQNNFC/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[archerkid]

I hadn't thought of using a little greenhouse to keep humidity up! Must have been too logical to occur to me
Thanks everyone for all the advice! I'll mull it over for a bit and lurk on the forums to gather more information. One last question, when do Mediterranean tortoise hatchlings generally appear (for sale)? If I look at getting one, I'd like to look on the forum first. Just curious when I should start keeping an eye out for them. Thanks!