SLRay
New Member
Hello all!
So nice to be here! I'm new to the forum scene, but I want to give this a go since I'm having a hard time pinning down what kind of tortoise is a perfect fit for my current situation. My name is Shauna, I'm 26, a Computer Science student, and have a home here in Oklahoma City with my husband and 3 month old son - plus all my animal babies! I have 3 dogs, a hedgehog, a red eared slider, and loads of fish! I've been researching into getting a tortoise for some time because my husband adores them, I love any living thing, and I have an unused section of my backyard that I believe would be fantastic for a tortoise (I hope!).
Nothing makes me happier than learning how to give optimal care to animals, so I'm looking for advice before I commit to purchase a new lifelong (or probably longer) friend! So here are my questions, sectioned off by topic of concern. Hopefully I can get some insight to help me in my search!
--CLIMATE--
Like I said, I live in Oklahoma, so from my research, I believe a type of Mediterranean tortoise, like a Hermanns or Russian, is the best fit for my climate. Their smaller size is also a bonus, especially in the case that I need to bring them inside due to inclement weather (not just winter - but hello tornado season!). Though the small size is convenient for those bad weather situations, I really would love a medium sized tortoise, like the size of a Redfoot or Elongated, but I'm not sure I could currently manage to bring a tortoise of that size indoors in our current house. We plan on moving once I'm out of school and working in about 2 years, though, so that wouldn't be a problem for long, but the tortoise will have to endure this enclosure until then. It seems like the Mediterraneans would just do better in cold snaps here or could potentially hibernate during the winter - though I haven't done enough research to say that I would let the tortoise do that. I have a hedgehog, so I have the idea of hibernation associated with death in captivity! I would much prefer to leave the tortoise outside year-round, regardless of weather or type of tortoise. Is that possible, if they're given a safe, sturdy, insulated burrow or shelter?
--HOUSING--
My personal ideal is to house the tortoise outside year-round. The area of my backyard is roughly 6 foot wide and spans the length of the house, excluding the garage - I haven't been able to measure it accurately by myself yet, but it's very long! Picture attached. It's not the space I'm worried about, so much as the shade. As you can see in the picture, there's only a section of sunlight that passes through, from the right of the picture to the left, as the sun moves across the sky. Being a narrow space between the house and the fence, it never gets full sun. It's completely shaded in the morning and evening. Is this sort of situation adequate for ANY tortoise? Oklahoma is abundant in heat for most of the year (it's mid-September and we're still in the 90's, dipping into the 70's at night), but I'm not sure if all this shade is an issue. I don't want to purchase a tortoise only for it to be miserable in the shade or not get enough UVB. I have a red eared slider, so I'm familiar with their need to bask, but I'm by no means knowledgeable enough with tortoises and all of their subspecies! Also, all this shade means that this area probably takes longer to dry out after rain/snow/ice than the rest of the yard.
My plan for the enclosure is to dig a 12" trench around the perimeter (excluding the house side because there is deep concrete) to bury 2x4's to prevent a digging escape, construct an insulated, elevated cinder block burrow, plant tortoise-safe plants that can thrive in full shade, include a type of gate to allow easy access and let the tortoise roam into the backyard while I am outside supervising, and bury a watering hole, size based on which tortoise I choose. There will, of course, be extra hides and enrichment based on the tortoise's size and needs.
Y'all are amazing for even getting this far - I'm long winded and want to make sure I'm making the right decision!
A HUGE thank you for any help, advice, or tortoise wisdom! I'll take all the information you want to give (including links!) I'm an open book here, and eager to learn! Talk to you soon!
--TLDR; PERSONAL WANTS--
--THESE DON'T HAVE TO BE SATISFIED, I'M MORE INTERESTED IN MAKING A GREAT HOME FOR A GREAT ANIMAL--
So nice to be here! I'm new to the forum scene, but I want to give this a go since I'm having a hard time pinning down what kind of tortoise is a perfect fit for my current situation. My name is Shauna, I'm 26, a Computer Science student, and have a home here in Oklahoma City with my husband and 3 month old son - plus all my animal babies! I have 3 dogs, a hedgehog, a red eared slider, and loads of fish! I've been researching into getting a tortoise for some time because my husband adores them, I love any living thing, and I have an unused section of my backyard that I believe would be fantastic for a tortoise (I hope!).
Nothing makes me happier than learning how to give optimal care to animals, so I'm looking for advice before I commit to purchase a new lifelong (or probably longer) friend! So here are my questions, sectioned off by topic of concern. Hopefully I can get some insight to help me in my search!
--CLIMATE--
Like I said, I live in Oklahoma, so from my research, I believe a type of Mediterranean tortoise, like a Hermanns or Russian, is the best fit for my climate. Their smaller size is also a bonus, especially in the case that I need to bring them inside due to inclement weather (not just winter - but hello tornado season!). Though the small size is convenient for those bad weather situations, I really would love a medium sized tortoise, like the size of a Redfoot or Elongated, but I'm not sure I could currently manage to bring a tortoise of that size indoors in our current house. We plan on moving once I'm out of school and working in about 2 years, though, so that wouldn't be a problem for long, but the tortoise will have to endure this enclosure until then. It seems like the Mediterraneans would just do better in cold snaps here or could potentially hibernate during the winter - though I haven't done enough research to say that I would let the tortoise do that. I have a hedgehog, so I have the idea of hibernation associated with death in captivity! I would much prefer to leave the tortoise outside year-round, regardless of weather or type of tortoise. Is that possible, if they're given a safe, sturdy, insulated burrow or shelter?
--HOUSING--
My personal ideal is to house the tortoise outside year-round. The area of my backyard is roughly 6 foot wide and spans the length of the house, excluding the garage - I haven't been able to measure it accurately by myself yet, but it's very long! Picture attached. It's not the space I'm worried about, so much as the shade. As you can see in the picture, there's only a section of sunlight that passes through, from the right of the picture to the left, as the sun moves across the sky. Being a narrow space between the house and the fence, it never gets full sun. It's completely shaded in the morning and evening. Is this sort of situation adequate for ANY tortoise? Oklahoma is abundant in heat for most of the year (it's mid-September and we're still in the 90's, dipping into the 70's at night), but I'm not sure if all this shade is an issue. I don't want to purchase a tortoise only for it to be miserable in the shade or not get enough UVB. I have a red eared slider, so I'm familiar with their need to bask, but I'm by no means knowledgeable enough with tortoises and all of their subspecies! Also, all this shade means that this area probably takes longer to dry out after rain/snow/ice than the rest of the yard.
My plan for the enclosure is to dig a 12" trench around the perimeter (excluding the house side because there is deep concrete) to bury 2x4's to prevent a digging escape, construct an insulated, elevated cinder block burrow, plant tortoise-safe plants that can thrive in full shade, include a type of gate to allow easy access and let the tortoise roam into the backyard while I am outside supervising, and bury a watering hole, size based on which tortoise I choose. There will, of course, be extra hides and enrichment based on the tortoise's size and needs.
Y'all are amazing for even getting this far - I'm long winded and want to make sure I'm making the right decision!
A HUGE thank you for any help, advice, or tortoise wisdom! I'll take all the information you want to give (including links!) I'm an open book here, and eager to learn! Talk to you soon!
--TLDR; PERSONAL WANTS--
--THESE DON'T HAVE TO BE SATISFIED, I'M MORE INTERESTED IN MAKING A GREAT HOME FOR A GREAT ANIMAL--
- A medium sized tortoise (but a small tortoise is fine)
- Can be kept outdoors year-round, temperatures average in the 70s-90s most of the year and it's quite dry
- Will thrive in a mostly shaded outdoor enclosure with supervised time in the sunny backyard, weather permitting
- Only one tortoise - no intention of breeding or giving it "a friend"