Hi, my son wants a tortoise!

[pompeymat]

Hi my son Sam who is 8 has been on about getting a tort for about 6 months now, he is a sensible child and I believe very serious about this. Ive done some research via the net and am willing to get him a couple but I have some questions for the experienced owners out there, is there much difference between breeds such as horsfield, hermans and marginated? Also if I can get sexed youngsters what sex is best if I get 2?
Thanks in advance
Mat

[Dawn Fletcher]

I would say girls and I would say Hermanns but then I am probably biased since thats what I keep, Be warned though that like many a pet and its child owner it will probably be you that ends up looking after it.........especially when he gets interested in girls !!
Remember also thaat they are a life time commitment for both your son and likley his children also.....as with the correct care they should easily live for a 100 years.

Take care

Dawn
xXx

[joekent]

Haha id like to edit your post dawn.. Im interested in tortoises and girls (in that order i have to admit :P)

[pompeymat]

Thanks Dawn, I am aware of the comitment in terms of years! I dont mind what we get, wheres the best place to get them and a table with a light? Is this site any good

edited to remove name of online seller

[TortoiseBea]

Hi!
All I would say is finding a breeder would be the best source for getting a tortoise!
Heres a breeders list, there are more on the internet if you do a search too:
http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/sit...ders_List.html

[gavster]

Well pompeymat you have come to the right place as there are loads of tortoise keepers here who are more than happy to help, i've learnt so much from these guys (and still have alot to learn lol) i hope that one day i'll be like the rest of the members here knowledge wise, then i can one day help novice keepers such as myself

[linda]

Originally Posted by pompeymat

Hi my son Sam who is 8 has been on about getting a tort for about 6 months now, he is a sensible child and I believe very serious about this. Ive done some research via the net and am willing to get him a couple but I have some questions for the experienced owners out there, is there much difference between breeds such as horsfield, hermans and marginated? Also if I can get sexed youngsters what sex is best if I get 2?
Thanks in advance
Mat

hi mat
a big warm welcome from me
the care of the species you have listed is very similar
how ever some of the husbandry differs a little
horsefields love to dig

its difficult to sex young torts
breeders change the incubator temperatures
to aim for males or females
but obviously this is not 100% accurate

sometimes males may not get on together
in general thought
1 male needs about 3 ladies
so the male doesnt pester the 1 lady which can cause stress

hope this helps a bit

[baybay]

Hi Matt,
I am glad you put some thought into a tortoise before you buy one. You try to buy from a breeder instead of a pet store. You could also try to rehome as there are many tortoises that need homes. Tortoises are a large commitment and are greatly rewarding. Good luck

[egyptiandan64]

Welcome to the forum Mat

Danny

[Alan1]

Originally Posted by pompeymat

Hi my son Sam who is 8 has been on about getting a tort for about 6 months now, he is a sensible child and I believe very serious about this. Ive done some research via the net and am willing to get him a couple but I have some questions for the experienced owners out there, is there much difference between breeds such as horsfield, hermans and marginated? Also if I can get sexed youngsters what sex is best if I get 2?
Thanks in advance
Mat

It can be quite difficult to tell what sex they are until they are about 4yo. People come on here all the time saying they have been told they have a female which then turns out to be a male and vice versa.

You can make a table for under £20, some people use book-cases from Argos even.

A combined heat/UVB bulb is £50 for a Mega-ray, a stand (large) to hang it from is around £28 but is not essential if you have some other way of doing it but I tried other ways and it was not so easy to raise and lower as required.

Topsoil is available from Homebase and B&Q, sometimes 4 x 25 litre bags for a tenner.

Hatchlings are often available on here in the For Sale or Classifieds forum.

Many people just have one tort and at least one experienced member says they don't 'require' company as they are reptiles.

Hope that helps