Where to Order Tortoise Online
The best place to buy tortoise online is from reptile shops that specialize in these animals. They can help you choose the best tortoise for you and offer guidance on the best habitats, lighting requirements, heat, humidity and other accessories.
Tortoises can live up to 100 years. These fascinating creatures require a lot of care.
How do you choose the tortoise
If you're considering purchasing a tortoise online, make sure the vendor you're dealing with is reliable and provides captive-bred animals. Captive-bred reptiles are less likely to get ill, as they've been raised in the conditions they need. In addition, they're usually healthier and more socialized than tortoises that are sourced from the wild.
Also take note of the time you'll need to dedicate to taking care of your pet. Tortoises are a long-term commitment, and they can live as long as 80 years in captivity. Do you know someone who will take care of your tortoise should you not provide it with the required care?
Buying from a local tortoise breeder can provide you with the chance to see the tortoise in person and check its health. A well-cared-for tortoise will appear alert and healthy in its body weight. The shell should be strong and free from cracks, bruises or other damages. The plastron should have some spring to it (though never squeeze a baby tortoise; it can be extremely stressful for the animal). The legs must be strong and muscular. The skin, eyes and vent should be clear and free of discharge.
Before purchasing a tortoise ask the seller for an Article 10 certificate. This is a document the seller must sign to prove that the tortoise was microchipped and has been given an ID number. It is a legal requirement in the US to have this form completed prior to selling any tortoise.
You should also bring your tortoise pet in to see a vet who has experience with tortoises, and who specializes in exotic animals. The vet will inspect the tortoise for signs of illness parasites, other ailments and more. He or she might recommend an examination of the feces or blood tests, especially if the tortoise was imported illegally or came from another country. A fecal examination can identify Salmonella bacteria that is harmful to tortoises as well as humans. The vet will also do an overall checkup and determine the age of the tortoise. In the US, tortoises are sold as juveniles and hatchlings up to the point that they reach 4" in length; this is to ensure that males and females are separated.
Tortoise Care
Tortoises are long-lived creatures that require special attention. When you are considering buying a tortoise online, you should think about your ability to provide the required care. This is especially important if you are looking for exotic tortoises that are not available in pet stores. Tortoises that come from their home countries are at an increased risk of being injured or sick during shipping. The purchase of captive-bred turtles reduces the risk.
You'll also need to consider the amount of space you have available for a tortoise enclosure. African spurred tortoises Leopard tortoises, and Burmese mountain tortoises require lots of space to roam and graze. They will not thrive in a tiny home environment. Russian, Hingeback and Mediterranean tortoises are smaller and are more suited to homes with limited outdoor space.
Make sure you have a wide enough habitat to house your tortoise. This includes reptile flooring or a substrate that is comfortable for the tortoise to rest on. It's important that the environment has a hiding place and a water dish that is shallow. Tortoises soak to stay hydrated, defecate and wash themselves. Soaks should be given every two to three days of the week for 10-15 minutes. Soaking dishes must be shallow and made of materials that allow the tortoise to easily enter and exit without drowning. Soaking dishes must be cleaned and disinfected regularly to avoid bacterial infections.
Additionally, you'll need the thermometer for your terrarium, a shallow water dish and tortoise food. Also, you'll need an food bowl, a shallow dish of water, and tortoise food.
A tortoise enclosure heavily decorated is a different option to add an individual touch. You can decorate the enclosure with plants and rocks that are safe for your tortoise eat. Make sure that your pet has a warm side of the enclosure for relaxing and cool with an enclosure with a cave or hide box to hide in.
If you'd like to play with your tortoise pet it is essential to allow it to become accustomed to you and be able to trust you before handling it regularly. Overhandling can lead to undue stress, which is bad for tortoises. It is important to have someone take care of your tortoise if you are not there. This person must be able to follow the instructions for your tortoise's care exactly and know when to contact an animal vet.
Tortoise Feeding
The requirements for tortoise food are different according to the species, but they all require a diverse diet, as well as an adequate supply of calcium and UV-B. This doesn't mean a salad from the supermarket, but rather an appropriately varied selection of delicious and nutrient-rich plants that tortoises can find in the wild. The tortoise should be able to roam and graze on an everyday basis however, this should only occur during daylight hours or after it has been buried throughout the night. Tortoises who are forced into continuous feeding patterns throughout the year have shocking rates of metabolic bone disease (see the recent article "Tortoise Shell Deformities: a View From Inside').
The food should be provided in a shallow dish that is suitable, and should never be left uneaten for long, as this will encourage decay and pose health hazards. During the time of grazing the tortoise must be fed as much of the food it can eat within 20 minutes. This allows the tortoise to eat without straining its jaws and avoids an overgrown 'beak which is located at the front of the tortoise.
Many species require a fruit-based element to their diet. This is particularly important for species of the rainforest, such as the Yellow-footed and Red-footed Tortoises. Fruits should be served only in small quantities, not more than twice a day. They should also be washed to get rid of any contaminants, including pesticides, or other chemicals which may be found in the flesh or on the skin of the fruit.
Tortoises are able to eat a variety of fruits, but it's recommended to stay clear of them if they're prone to diarrhea. It is also important to avoid foods that are high in goitrogens or oxalic acid. Oxalic acid can bind with calcium and prevent its absorption, whereas goitrogens can interfere with thyroid function. Many of the cruciferous veggies that are suggested for tortoises' diets like collards greens, turnips as well as bok-choy, mustard and bok-choy are high in oxalic acids.
Tortoise Health
It is essential to purchase a tortoise only from a seller who is familiar with the species. A reptile shop or person at a reptile show/expo are great options, since they are competent to provide you with the best advice on taking care of your new pet. They can also provide you with the proper equipment, like an enclosure for tortoises. They can answer any questions you may have and will know how to spot the signs of disease. This is a much better option than buying tortoises from a big pet store, since the tortoise might have been fighting with other animals while in a small tank which can cause stress and damage their shell.
radiated tortoise for sale can live up to 50 years. It is crucial to plan for their care and provide them with the best possible home to live a long and happy life. The key element in this is proper diet, shelter and the environment.
In the event that your tortoise is sick and becomes sick, you should bring them to a veterinarian who is familiar with exotics. A veterinarian who is unfamiliar with tortoises can result in disastrous outcomes.
The signs of the illness of a tortoise include swelling of the neck or limbs as well as difficulty moving, loss of appetite and a large amount of fecal feces. These symptoms could be a sign of digestive, liver or renal problems and should be addressed by a reptile veterinarian right away.
The swelling of the neck and the limbs of a tortoise can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a poor diet, parasitic infection, toxins, constipation, or a combination of. Soaking the tortoise in warm water for 30 minutes, with the water level just covering its plastron (bottom shell), is usually sufficient to alleviate this condition. It is also possible to treat this problem by increasing the tortoise's fiber intake, by adding dandelion roots to the feed or giving it liquid parafin and/or lactulose.
A healthy tortoise is active, its muscles will be strong and it will walk with its bottom shell, known as the plastron, clear of the ground. It will also dig and climb effortlessly.