Beginner Tortoise?

[Rosy-enthusiast]

Hello, Iv been looking for a suitable tortoise for a long time and Iv came up with a couple species. The Russian Tortoise, The redfoot tortoise, The sulcatta tortoise or something different, I dont want something that gets tooo big that eats my money up like crazy with buying the food. Iv read up on all but im just wondering what everyone else thinks what is suitable for me.


Thanks
Rosy-enthusiast

[Bartman]

If you dont want something that gets big, sulcatta is DEFFINETLY off your list.

Russians are great, I have one and red foots get a bit bigger as well as eat more so take that into consideration.

[Rosy-enthusiast]

I think im going to go with a russian for now. But will definatley consider other species later. Does anyone in Canada breed the Galapogois (Think thats how its spelt) tortoise in Canada?

[ffollett]

If you dont want something that gets big, sulcatta is DEFFINETLY off your list.


No kidding. It does take awhile for them to get that big though. My 7 year old son has a hatchilng sulcata and its been a great pet for him so far. Damn thing will probably live longer then I will.

[Bartman]

I believe the galapogis also gets extremely large, but I could be mistaken.

[RFB]

As Galapagos Tortoises are all listed as CITES appendix 1 animals, you will find it impossible to get them outside of black market deals. Even if you could, their huge size and appetites make them a very bad candidate for private ownership. Stick to Russians and if you want a larger tortoise get a Redfoot or Yellowfoot.

[rrrrr]

No tortoise is really a good starter...they just live too long. Sulcattas as far as I know are the third largest species in the world...probably not a good idea. Galapagos would be impossible to get legally. Russians are not bad. Greeks and Herman's are nice small tortoises as well. Look at species in the testudo genus. Red foots aren't huge, but I wouldn't call them small either.

[Rosy-enthusiast]

I was wondering about the galapogois because I have seen them for sale in the states and yes I know they do get HUGE and I probably wouldnt have enough to buy the darn thing anyways as they are around $4000 us as iv seen plus how much food they would eat would be way to expensive for me unless Id grow them myself :P. Im gonna go with the russians, seems like a good fit for me.

[Cloudkicker]

Hi, here's my input- russians are a great choice for beginners, actually most of the European species (testudo) do very well in captivity, russians one of my favorites-great personality, small size, and easy to keep. Redfoots would be next on my list, they are more readily available in Canada then russians and usually cheaper- my first tortoise was a redfoot. As for the Galapagos(<-proper spelling)-huge, expensive, and incredibly hard to get legally, especially in Canada. I thought I'd throw this out there- top 4 biggest species: Galapagos, Aldabra, Sulcatta, Burmese brown mountain tortoise-I can't think of the fifth biggest off the top of my head.
-Andrew-

[manville]

$4000 for a galapagos seems pretty low to me..i would get one for that price if i had the money and the space.

[boywithscales]

burmese brown tort is 4th largest? I thought they stayed reasonable size? I just got a yellowfoot tort as a rescue, and she is the most beautiful animal ive ever owned. Ide say start with a russian tort

[Cloudkicker]

Yep, burmese brown torts are the largest of the Asian species and can reach lengths of 24'' making them the 4th largest tortoise in the world, I'm pretty sure leopards-the bigger of the 2 subspecies (G.p.pardalis) are #5, they reach lengths of 16''-20'', and I would think redfoots would be #6, yellow foots, gophers, texas, and deserts would follow, then you'd go into the medium sized asian and european species...anyway...yeah bumese browns are #4.lol. Congrats on your yellowfoot-theyre awesome. Take care,
-Andrew-

[snoopy]

star tort would be good if u can find 1. :medtoothy

[Bartman]

Same with greek tortoises. Try and get cb as tortoises usually have major shell problems when they get imported

[Cloudkicker]

If your going with russians, you doesn't have many options other than LTC wildcaughts. They're hard to find as cb babies and expensive if you do, but cb baby greeks are offered on occasion. I recently picked up 2 babies: 1 of them being a normal and the other a golden greek...they're definately a favourite!
-Andrew-