Newbie

[mazzie]

We are looking at getting a tortoise soon.
I thought the best bet would be to sign up to a forum and do some research!!
I have ferrets and dogs, but have never had anything like a tortoise!!
So any advice, tips etc would be appreciated.
Also I'm in Australia, is there any other Aussie members here?
Kind Regards,
mazzie

 

[jlyoncc1]

Mazzie, Welcome! The best place to start is to research what is available to you in Australia. Once you know that, you can narrow it down to what you feel you can handle. Size, housing and food requirements, etc. There are a bunch of very knowledgeable people on this forum that will be able to help you with any questions.

 

[cvalda]

Welcome! You know what? I was just thinking last night... if only tortoises were as easy to keep as dogs! Cold, hot, wet, dry, whatever, my dogs are happy and hardy! Tortoises require so much more work when it comes to getting their atmosphere right!! I would have never guessed that prior to owning them! But it's worth it, that's for sure!!!

What type of tortie will you be getting?

 

[mazzie]

Thanks for the welcome!!
Yeah dogs sure are pretty easy to have as companions.. Well I spend an hour walking mine each day so they do take time hehe - But nowhere near as much time as a newborn!! (I have a 6 week old daughter)

I am not entirely sure, I have been around too a couple of pet shops and most people don't have any tortoises in the tanks, they are just empty.

We have a few types here in South Australia, the short necked tortoise is one that springs to mind but I'm sure there is a scientific name for it.
Problem is because none of the pet stores/aquarium shops have any tortoises left atm I can't tell which species's is available!

I know we have the Murray River Turtle.. That's why I was hoping there may be some Aussie's on this forum

I know you guys get really cool looking tortoises overseas!! I have seen an ALBINO one here, but I'm sure the price would be through the roof.

mazzie

 

[mazzie]

Okay I know this is going to sound stupid, but what are the differences between a tortoise and a turtle?

 

[Jacqui]

Welcome! The most common meaning is that torts are land lovers, while turtles are in the water. Not totaly true, but the easiest.

Box turtles are the most common line walker between the two. If I were in charge...lol...I would call them torts myself. (along with wood turtles, spots, ect.., lol)

A turtle is normally flat with a streamlined shell to swim quickly and easily through the water. Their feet are webbed and flatter too for swimming.

Take a look at a tortoise's back leg. They are more, well elephant like I guess you would say. Certainly made for an animal who walks the land. Torts are more herbivore in nature too, however some like the hingebacks eat a high amount of animal material. Torts mainly only go into water to drink.

In the US we tend to just call them all turtles.

 

[Crazy1]

Welcome Mazzie, here are a few sites I found talking about Turtles & Torts in Australia. http://www.kingsnake.com/oz/turtles/turtles.htm
http://worldcat.org/wcpa/ow/33f4fc4366ea117f.html

Differences in the terms Tortoise, turtle and Terrapin from online somewhere like Wikipedia. Although the word "turtle" is widely used to describe all members of the order Testudines, it is also common to see certain members described as terrapins, tortoises or sea turtles as well. Precisely how these alternative names are used, if at all, depends on the type of English being used.
• British English normally describes these reptiles as turtles if they live in the sea; terrapins if they live in fresh or brackish water; or tortoises if they live on land. However, there are exceptions to this where American or Australian common names are in wide use, as with the Fly River turtle.
• American English tends to use the word turtle for all species regardless of habitat, although tortoise may be used as a more precise term for any land-dwelling species. Oceanic species may be more specifically referred to as sea turtles. The name "terrapin" is strictly reserved for the brackish water diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin; the word terrapin in this case being derived from the Algonquian word for this animal.[1]
• Australian English uses turtle for both the marine and freshwater species but tortoise for the terrestrial species.
To avoid confusion, the word chelonian is popular among veterinarians, scientists, and conservationists working with these animals as a catch-all name for any member of the order Testudines. It is based on the Ancient Greek word χελώνη (chelone, modern Greek χελώνα), meaning tortoise.

However in the research I suggest you also research what Vets deal with or specialize in Chelonian in your area.

 

[mazzie]

Ahh thank you so much for that I was a little embarrassed to ask!
I assumed it was that, but when I went into an aquarium store yesterday they had a long necked tortoises sign on the tank (none in there) but it was just a tank full of water with one of those ramp things!
I have this vision in my head of a habitat with a waterhole in the middle of it and little trees and rocks etc around the outside..
Is there a section in this forum with people's setups?
Jacqui, they all get called turtles here too-that is why I was a little confused.
Crazy, thanks for those sites I'm having a look now. We have a number of vets really close by I don't think our dog and ferret vet specialise in turtles, but I will ask them if they can recommend someone.

 

[Crazy1]

Our forum has a place for setups it is Under: Other Tortoise Topics / EnclosuresA lot of the enclosures now are where people are temp housing their torts inside for the winter months if they are not hibernating. Not always the best looking, lots of kiddy pools and Rubbermaid enclosures. I know mine are getting a new tort table for Christmas (I’m building it now). But the outside pen is so much bigger and so much prettier with plants and rocks and stuff. Looks great in the spring-everything blooming etc. then becomes drier and scruffier in the fall as things begin to dry out. But I have Greek tortoises and they like it dry. I plan to post pics when their new table is in the house and of their pen in the spring.
My best advice is do your research, lots and lots of it. I researched two years before I finally decided on what type of Chelonian I wanted. And I find I am still doing lots of research. - So Keep those questions coming.
Hereis another site that lists torts and turts
http://www.tortoise.org/cttc1.html

PS. Did I say Welcome to our family here, if not Welcome