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DECIDING
ON A TURTLE OR TORTOISE
So you've decided you must have a tortoise or turtle. Knowing
there are so many different species, it isn't difficult to become
overwhelmed, trying to figure out what would be the best choice
for you.
Ask yourself a lot of questions about the conditions and
space you can provide for it. After all, properly cared for
tortoises and turtles are long lived animals with unique requirements,
and will be depending on you for their care and well-being.
Good Questions To Ask Yourself:
Will
you be housing the animal inside or outside for most of the year?
Would the climate you live in better suit an arid, or a humidity
loving (tropical) species? Are
you truly ready to make a commitment to an animal that
may outlive you?
Other
things to be thinking about:
How much space you can provide for this animal when it is full grown?
Have you considered hibernation issues, and are you educated about
them?
So much new (and often conflicting) information can be overwhelming at
first, but rest assured that with knowledge comes the confidence to
relax and enjoy your new friend. Plan on learning about quality
lighting, why calcium should be phosphorus free, proper diet, urates
and more.
A
great source of information are on line communities like
Sulcata (Sulcata
aka 'spurred tortoises) Tortoise
Trust (All species, Testudo, Geochelone, Aquatics, etc.) , Gopherus
(American Desert Tortoises), Tortoise
Nutrition (self explanatory), Box
Turtle (Terrapene). If there is a specific species list you
are looking for, please feel free to ask and you will be pointed in
the right direction!
Here are links to see
pictures of habitats for both indoors and outdoors. (and remember,
all habitats can be modified to suit an individual species.) No matter
what species of turtle/tortoise you decide on, it makes life
much less stressful for the animal, if you have a proper habitat set
up BEFOREHAND. Turtles require space, and as natural an environment as
is possible.
Beware! It can be very stressful to have a new turtle, and you need to
be prepared beforehand if you need a veterinarian. Links
to Reptile Veterinarians
general
tortoise info and interesting facts
Many states have box turtles that are native, as well as tortoises. A
good place to start is with a local reptile club or a turtle and
tortoise adoption society like Turtle
Homes.
WILD
CAUGHT vs. CAPTIVE BRED ISSUES
Animals that are taken
out of the wild and sold into the pet trade have usually been through
a horrible ordeal, are often sick and are always distressed. If you
purchase one of these animals, you are supporting the trade in
collected wildlife. Yet saving an animal is an individual
decision, but one best made only when fully informed.
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After visiting these sites and having a better understanding of what
"wild caught" really means, you may find that it is worth
the extra cost and time to located a captive bred animal.
There
are numerous benefits to this. You
will have a history of your animal, contact with a breeder who should
be able to give you proper advice about the species, not to mention
and a far healthier animal. You also get to watch them grow up
:)
Once you've decided on what
species you want, where will you find one?
Local reptile, turtle and tortoise clubs (as well as adoption groups)
may be able to direct you to a local breeder. They may also have
tortoises in need of good homes. Please do consider giving a home to
an animal in need.
Pet shops, Reptile shows and Internet forums are good communities to
gather care information, as well as get feedback.
When purchasing an animal online, be it from a dealer or a breeder, always
get references from at a least three sources!
The
main drawback when shopping online is that you are unable to see and
evaluate an animal's heath before purchase.
Tip:
Use your credit card to protect yourself from fraud, and buy in person
when at all possible. Always get an agreement/ guarantee in writing to
cover the 'what if's' in the event the animal arrives in poor health.
Pay
the extra for insurance no matter who the shipper or breeder is.
CHOOSING A HEALTHY ANIMAL
Obviously your best bet is to try to purchase locally so you can
evaluate the cleanliness of the facility, as well as the health of the
animal. Remember to always have at lease three references, and only
purchase from people who don't mix species.
Dealers
often "act" like breeders, but have numerous species
available, while most good breeders concentrate on just a few species.
Bring along some fresh greens and ask if it is ok to watch them eat.
Look for strong, alert animals that are feeding.
Look for a smooth carapace (no
pyramiding) and free
of damage, old injuries or any kind of spots or flaking that might
indicate a shell disease.
1) Does it feel heavy/ healthy or does it feel like an empty shell? A
turtle or tortoise should feel "heavy" for it's size.
2) Eyes should be free of swelling, any type of discharge and should
not appear "sunken in."
3) Is its nose clear? Can you hear it breathe? Its normal to hear a
slight sound when a turtle withdraws into its shell, but
squeaking, rasping, rattling, or any nasal discharge could be a
symptom of a respiratory
illness.
4) If you look at the underside and near the tail, it should be clean
without feces stuck to the bottom. Foul smelling feces indicates a
parasitic or intestinal problem.
5) If you can see in the mouth, it should be a healthy pink without
cheesy white spots.
6) Overgrown nails and long beaks are not a good sign. The cuticles
should be healthy and smooth -not flaky or swollen
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