Hello TortoiseForum!
I'm new to the forum and am so pleased there's a site like this with so many knowledgeable and kind tortoise-loving folks!
My fiancé and I are moving to Dallas soon and we would like to adopt a tortoise. I had a Russian growing up and I just LOVED her: she had tons of personality and made a wonderful pet. When I was young, we kept her in an indoor enclosure year-round. I realize now that this is not at all ideal, and I'd very much like to keep our tortoise outside with plenty of room to roam, bask and graze.
I'm unsure, however, if Dallas will be a temperate enough climate for a little Russian to be happy year-round. Can it be made to work if she has a heated box outdoors she can retreat to at night? Our yard will be a small, fenced patio, but should have good space still for digging and grazing, and room enough for a private enclosure for her as well.
I'm open also to other species of tortoises if someone can recommend another kind that would do well in the Dallas climate? I know there's lots of love for sulcutas, but I think their size would become too much for us!!
Any advice or previous threads you could link would be so appreciated! Thanks folks!
I'm new to the forum and am so pleased there's a site like this with so many knowledgeable and kind tortoise-loving folks!
My fiancé and I are moving to Dallas soon and we would like to adopt a tortoise. I had a Russian growing up and I just LOVED her: she had tons of personality and made a wonderful pet. When I was young, we kept her in an indoor enclosure year-round. I realize now that this is not at all ideal, and I'd very much like to keep our tortoise outside with plenty of room to roam, bask and graze.
I'm unsure, however, if Dallas will be a temperate enough climate for a little Russian to be happy year-round. Can it be made to work if she has a heated box outdoors she can retreat to at night? Our yard will be a small, fenced patio, but should have good space still for digging and grazing, and room enough for a private enclosure for her as well.
I'm open also to other species of tortoises if someone can recommend another kind that would do well in the Dallas climate? I know there's lots of love for sulcutas, but I think their size would become too much for us!!
Any advice or previous threads you could link would be so appreciated! Thanks folks!