Tortoises

[Jessika]

I really, really, really want a tortoise...

I do know a lot about turtles and tortoises alike, I've owned them on and off in the past growing up (you know as a kid you'd find a tortoise in your back yard and keep it as a pet for a few months then let it go back in the wild...). But turtles and tortoises are actually my FAVORITE animal (besides dogs!). I think they're so adorable and cute and personable and I just really really really really want one, but I want to do it right this time, I don't wanna take any animal from the wild. My father in law said heck yeah I can have one, whether he was joking or not is the question, but I'm sure they really would let me have one, just gotta find a place to keep him away from the kitties...

My question is what tortoise would you recommend? And I want a tortoise, no turtles, tortoises are easier to maintain, IMO, and I don't want to have to mess with cleaning water or filters or all that jazz. I do know a L-O-T about care because I've done so much research on caring for them, I just want to know if anyone has any recommendations on a good intermediate tortoise to own.

PetCo has Russian Tortoises (they had Greek tortoises but haven't in over a year now). I really wanted a Greek, but they don't have any anymore. And besides PetCo, does anyone have recommendations of where to purchase one? I know the PetCo I used to work at takes VERY good care of their animals, so I would feel very comfortable purchasing one from there, but not any other PetCo or Petsmart.

[GekkeGekko]

I have a Greek named Tor and he's really wonderfull!


I know in The Netherlands you need Cites-papers with them but I'm not sure how it is in the USA and where to get them....

[Jessika]

I know in the USA it is illegal to own ANY animal native to your specific area. So I can not purchase a Red Eared Slider, eventhough you can purchase them in other areas of the US. I COULD own one if I had the correct papers, though.

However with species NOT native to my area, I can own without any documentation at all.

[IRescue452]

I'd go for the Greek. Some petstores are willing to order animals in if you speak with whoever is in charge of that.

[buttercup132]

I don't know if you remember but I had my Red Footed and he was really sweet.
He had a bad habit of pooing when we took him out then walking in it or eating it I would reccomend them they are sweet.

[Jessika]

I don't know if you remember but I had my Red Footed and he was really sweet.
He had a bad habit of pooing when we took him out then walking in it or eating it I would reccomend them they are sweet.

I've actually done zero research on them, so I'll look into it -- thanks!