introducing myself and help needed pls!

tattoedkitten · 24-07-2011, 05:21 PM

Hi all,

I've been lurking on the forum for a while but don't have a tortoise as yet.

Now for the advice/help needed ...................... my son (he's going to be 13 tomorrow) has been asking for a pet for ages and has decided he would like a tortoise. Obviously, this will all be overseen by me, my partner and my eldest daughter (18 years old and currently studying animal management). So a few questions.........

1. Which would be the best breed to look at? I really love the Sulcatas, I know they get huge and I've always had a thing for the galapagos tortoises lol. But that aside, what would be the easiest one for a beginner.

2. We are going to make a tortoise table, what would be the min size for a very young tortoise? We'll obviously expand it as we need to. And will make an outdoor enclosure once it's big enough.

I've got two weeks whilst my son is at his dad's, he's not here for his birthday, and I've told him we'll get everything once he's back, but I'd really like to surprise him (hence why I've posted now and not before, he was reading this forum, he won't be on the pc at his dad's) and have everything including tortoise/s by the time he comes back. I've been reading all the care sheets etc but would really like some feedback from all you experienced tortoise keepers/breeders as to what you would deem suitable.

I know this is a long thread and I'm asking quite a lot but any help would be very much appreciated. And any other advice you think I might need, especially around the paperwork side of things.

More about us ............. well the tortoise won't be our only pet! It will be added to an ever growing menagerie of dogs, cats, degus and bearded dragon. We live in north london and once decided on an actual breed of tortoise we would need advice on where to find one within a reasonable distance.

Thanking you all so much in advance.

Nikki x

Watermelon · 24-07-2011, 08:05 PM

Heya, welcome to forum youll get a lot of advice on here! Unfortunately I do not know much about Sulcatas! My tortoise table is about 2.5 ft by 4.5 ft but then again you may need something bigger as Sulcatas are bigger species and they grow bigger. I have Hermanns!

How big is your garden? Cos it'd be more realistic to keep the tort outside as it gets bigger.....

Hope this helps

Watermelon · 24-07-2011, 08:06 PM

P.S Hermanns are great for beginners.

NATURALIS · 24-07-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tattoedkitten

Hi all,

I've been lurking on the forum for a while but don't have a tortoise as yet.

Now for the advice/help needed ...................... my son (he's going to be 13 tomorrow) has been asking for a pet for ages and has decided he would like a tortoise. Obviously, this will all be overseen by me, my partner and my eldest daughter (18 years old and currently studying animal management). So a few questions.........

1. Which would be the best breed to look at? I really love the Sulcatas, I know they get huge and I've always had a thing for the galapagos tortoises lol. But that aside, what would be the easiest one for a beginner.

2. We are going to make a tortoise table, what would be the min size for a very young tortoise? We'll obviously expand it as we need to. And will make an outdoor enclosure once it's big enough.

I've got two weeks whilst my son is at his dad's, he's not here for his birthday, and I've told him we'll get everything once he's back, but I'd really like to surprise him (hence why I've posted now and not before, he was reading this forum, he won't be on the pc at his dad's) and have everything including tortoise/s by the time he comes back. I've been reading all the care sheets etc but would really like some feedback from all you experienced tortoise keepers/breeders as to what you would deem suitable.

I know this is a long thread and I'm asking quite a lot but any help would be very much appreciated. And any other advice you think I might need, especially around the paperwork side of things.

More about us ............. well the tortoise won't be our only pet! It will be added to an ever growing menagerie of dogs, cats, degus and bearded dragon. We live in north london and once decided on an actual breed of tortoise we would need advice on where to find one within a reasonable distance.

Thanking you all so much in advance.

Nikki x

hi, welcome , tortoise and dogs dont really go , there are lots killed by dogs each year that aside , take a look on the care sheets on here , one thing i would advice you against is imported , if its possible buy from a breeder who will help you , i would recomend either a hermanns , ibera spur thighed or horsfield tortoise.

Neddy · 24-07-2011, 08:19 PM

I would really have a good think about buying a tortoise for your son, you have to remember these are life pets. The likely hood is he will get bored of it............

I don't think there is an issue with having dogs around tortoises as long as they are supervised at all times and the tortoise has an outdoor run which is dog proof.

Minty913 · 24-07-2011, 08:38 PM

Hey sulcata’s are a great tortoise.
As for a first tortoise I don’t think it is really going to matter as long as you do your research you are all ready one up by joining this forum as there is loads of advice and helpful people.

I have 3 sulcata’s and 3 boys that have lost interest in them very quickly but the tortoise where for me lol and a sully is a lifelong pet.

If you are looking at a sulcata you need to plan ahead as they grow up very fast and need a lot of grazing room plus heating all year round.
Maybe try and rehome one I see a lot of sully’s on preloved pets.

Zen · 24-07-2011, 08:45 PM

Hello, welcome to SW

tattoedkitten · 24-07-2011, 09:07 PM

Thanks for the replies already.

Just a few things......

I know kids get bored with things easily.......hence why I put that it would be with the help of me, my partner and my daughter (who is currently studying animal management and is specialising in exotics - so already has been caring for all manner of reps and torts). The tortoise has been a decision between all of us and to give my son his due, he has actually been doing a lot of research himself (which is quite a shock but was part of the deal before we even said yes to getting one lol).

As for the dogs - they won't have access to the tortoise, it will be in a table (to begin with) up out of their reach. Then once she/he goes into the garden it will be in a dog proof enclosure, which is also out of reach of the dogs for most of the time - my garden is split in two, patio then grass with a fence between to stop the dogs going onto the grass unless supervised (they never have free unsupervised access to the grass).

My garden is 120 foot long, about 30 foot patio - so plenty of grazing for the tortoise lol.

Hmmm decisions now - the tortoises mentioned are all the ones that I have been looking at - horsfields, hermanns and ibera spur thighed and sulcatas.

I suppose really it now depends on what is available, and where.

Thanks again guys

Nikki x

TortyLady · 24-07-2011, 09:07 PM

Hello from me, Horsfields are great for a first tortoise and dont grow too big if room is a problem, but then i would say that ive got two myself

TortBabe · 24-07-2011, 11:05 PM

Hello and welcome

24-07-2011, 05:21 PM	#1
tattoedkitten Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: north london Posts: 29	introducing myself and help needed pls! Hi all, I've been lurking on the forum for a while but don't have a tortoise as yet. Now for the advice/help needed ...................... my son (he's going to be 13 tomorrow) has been asking for a pet for ages and has decided he would like a tortoise. Obviously, this will all be overseen by me, my partner and my eldest daughter (18 years old and currently studying animal management). So a few questions......... 1. Which would be the best breed to look at? I really love the Sulcatas, I know they get huge and I've always had a thing for the galapagos tortoises lol. But that aside, what would be the easiest one for a beginner. 2. We are going to make a tortoise table, what would be the min size for a very young tortoise? We'll obviously expand it as we need to. And will make an outdoor enclosure once it's big enough. I've got two weeks whilst my son is at his dad's, he's not here for his birthday, and I've told him we'll get everything once he's back, but I'd really like to surprise him (hence why I've posted now and not before, he was reading this forum, he won't be on the pc at his dad's) and have everything including tortoise/s by the time he comes back. I've been reading all the care sheets etc but would really like some feedback from all you experienced tortoise keepers/breeders as to what you would deem suitable. I know this is a long thread and I'm asking quite a lot but any help would be very much appreciated. And any other advice you think I might need, especially around the paperwork side of things. More about us ............. well the tortoise won't be our only pet! It will be added to an ever growing menagerie of dogs, cats, degus and bearded dragon. We live in north london and once decided on an actual breed of tortoise we would need advice on where to find one within a reasonable distance. Thanking you all so much in advance. Nikki x

24-07-2011, 08:45 PM	#7
Zen Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Banbury Oxfordshire Posts: 2,623	Hello, welcome to SW __________________ Rachael & Zen (THB) 'Show gratitude to every living thing'

24-07-2011, 11:05 PM	#10
TortBabe Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 6,919	Hello and welcome __________________ Busy Mum to ~ 2 Kids, 2 Yorkies, 1 Horsfield, 6 Hermanns, 2 Iberas, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indian Stars and 2 Pancakes

24-07-2011, 08:05 PM	#2
Watermelon Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,085	Heya, welcome to forum youll get a lot of advice on here! Unfortunately I do not know much about Sulcatas! My tortoise table is about 2.5 ft by 4.5 ft but then again you may need something bigger as Sulcatas are bigger species and they grow bigger. I have Hermanns! How big is your garden? Cos it'd be more realistic to keep the tort outside as it gets bigger..... Hope this helps

24-07-2011, 08:06 PM	#3
Watermelon Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,085	P.S Hermanns are great for beginners.

24-07-2011, 08:19 PM	#5
Neddy Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,456	I would really have a good think about buying a tortoise for your son, you have to remember these are life pets. The likely hood is he will get bored of it............ I don't think there is an issue with having dogs around tortoises as long as they are supervised at all times and the tortoise has an outdoor run which is dog proof.

24-07-2011, 08:38 PM	#6
Minty913 Member Hatched Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Swindon Posts: 291	Hey sulcata’s are a great tortoise. As for a first tortoise I don’t think it is really going to matter as long as you do your research you are all ready one up by joining this forum as there is loads of advice and helpful people. I have 3 sulcata’s and 3 boys that have lost interest in them very quickly but the tortoise where for me lol and a sully is a lifelong pet. If you are looking at a sulcata you need to plan ahead as they grow up very fast and need a lot of grazing room plus heating all year round. Maybe try and rehome one I see a lot of sully’s on preloved pets.

24-07-2011, 09:07 PM	#8
tattoedkitten Junior Member Egg Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: north london Posts: 29	Thanks for the replies already. Just a few things...... I know kids get bored with things easily.......hence why I put that it would be with the help of me, my partner and my daughter (who is currently studying animal management and is specialising in exotics - so already has been caring for all manner of reps and torts). The tortoise has been a decision between all of us and to give my son his due, he has actually been doing a lot of research himself (which is quite a shock but was part of the deal before we even said yes to getting one lol). As for the dogs - they won't have access to the tortoise, it will be in a table (to begin with) up out of their reach. Then once she/he goes into the garden it will be in a dog proof enclosure, which is also out of reach of the dogs for most of the time - my garden is split in two, patio then grass with a fence between to stop the dogs going onto the grass unless supervised (they never have free unsupervised access to the grass). My garden is 120 foot long, about 30 foot patio - so plenty of grazing for the tortoise lol. Hmmm decisions now - the tortoises mentioned are all the ones that I have been looking at - horsfields, hermanns and ibera spur thighed and sulcatas. I suppose really it now depends on what is available, and where. Thanks again guys Nikki x

24-07-2011, 09:07 PM	#9
TortyLady Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Hull UK Posts: 158	Hello from me, Horsfields are great for a first tortoise and dont grow too big if room is a problem, but then i would say that ive got two myself

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