Want to buy Tort!

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I have beed wanting to buy a Tortoise for over a year now. I have 8 chameleons so I have some knowlege of the hrep care I have read many books as well, anyway i want to get a baby spir thighed, or red foot, which is better I ame aware of the siz dif, but as a nebee to tortoises which is better! And what should i Know b4 i buy. Any help or info would be great! Thanks

[Tim and Julie B]

Both are great but size should deffinatly be a factor. Don't count out Greeks, they are great tortoises! Just read as much info as possible and you can't go wrong. You realize once you get one you will want more!

[Linds]

Well unless you have at least half an acre of land to devote to a tortoise, and can keep it outdoors most of the time (though all torties should be allowed outside whenever possible), I would rule out the Spur Thigh. Redfoots are by far my favourite species of tortoise to work with. They learn to recognize their keepers and are extremely interactive, and not at all shy. They still require a great deal of space (I wouldn't recommend keeping an adult in anything smaller than 8'x3'). Since you have chams you are familiar with maintaining humidity levels and whatnot. Redfoots and yellowfoots are high humidity tortoises, and they also have a much richer diet than other tortoises do as well.If you can meet these needs than they are a very rewarding pet to have :)

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Cool thanks for the input, I havent been able to find anyone with any knowlege of torts thanks alot im glad i found this site, anyway im sure ill have lots more Q's later I just dont want to rush into getting one yet although im dieing for one lol.

Oh one Q I am looking for a baby or juvy is there any special needs that they need that i should be aware of?

[Tim and Julie B]

One of the best books I have found is (don't laugh) Turtles and Tortoises for Dummies. It has a great diet chapter in it as well as other great information. It is sold at Chapters. Juvie care is pretty much the same as adults except that you should keep it simple. Food items should be chopped up fine as well. Hope this helps you will love owning a tort.

[red bootz]

I also found that my torts were a lot more sensitive to drafts and temperature fluctuations when they were smaller.
And I second Linds on the species...well, I've never had a sulcata so I can't really say anything about them, but red foots have all kinds of personality. Love 'em!