So I'm looking to get my first tortoise. Although I live in a city apartment most of the year, my family has a home on Long Island as well which we go to for the summer.
I've been reading past threads and gather that a smaller species would be best for me (Russian, Hermann's, which others stay small?)
The largest enclosure I could have in the apartment would probably be something no larger than 6x3 and it would be a bookshelf on a table or desk. I could situate it so that it gets decent natural light as well. For the summer, I could build something much larger in the yard and/or basement similar to some of the enclosures some of you have larger tortoises in, like Redfoots, Yellowfoots and Sulcatas.
Would it be better to get a baby or something a few years old around 5" or something considered a full grown adult?
If the possibility of moving to a warmer climate region and having much more space is realistic in the next few years, would it be reasonable to get a large species baby now and keep it in a table type enclosure for 2-5 years? How quickly do they grow under normal captive settings?
What about species like Forsten's, Elongated, Marginated, Hingeback, Leopard, Indian, Burmese Star? I don't hear them recommended often, are they not for beginners?
I'm so glad I found this place and am anxious to hear back from all you experienced tortoise people
I've been reading past threads and gather that a smaller species would be best for me (Russian, Hermann's, which others stay small?)
The largest enclosure I could have in the apartment would probably be something no larger than 6x3 and it would be a bookshelf on a table or desk. I could situate it so that it gets decent natural light as well. For the summer, I could build something much larger in the yard and/or basement similar to some of the enclosures some of you have larger tortoises in, like Redfoots, Yellowfoots and Sulcatas.
Would it be better to get a baby or something a few years old around 5" or something considered a full grown adult?
If the possibility of moving to a warmer climate region and having much more space is realistic in the next few years, would it be reasonable to get a large species baby now and keep it in a table type enclosure for 2-5 years? How quickly do they grow under normal captive settings?
What about species like Forsten's, Elongated, Marginated, Hingeback, Leopard, Indian, Burmese Star? I don't hear them recommended often, are they not for beginners?
I'm so glad I found this place and am anxious to hear back from all you experienced tortoise people