Where to Order Tortoise Online
It is best to order tortoises online from reptile shops that specialize in these animals. They can assist you in selecting the right tortoise and provide information on habitats, lighting requirements, humidity, heat and other accessories.
Tortoises are long-lived animals that can live up to 100 years. They're fascinating creatures that require a lot of attention.
How to Select a Tortoise
If you are looking to purchase a tortoise via the internet, make sure that the seller is reputable and sells captive-bred animals. Reptiles that are captive-bred are less likely to get sick, since they've been raised in the conditions they need. In addition, they're usually healthier and more social than tortoises sourced from the wild.
Also, consider the amount of time you'll be able to commit to taking care of your pet. Tortoises require a long-term commitment. They can live for up to 80 years in captivity. Do you have someone who will take care of your tortoise should you not provide it with the needed care?
tortoises for sale can check the health of the tortoise and see it in person if you purchase it from a local breeder. A well-cared-for tortoise is alert and be healthy in body weight. The shell of the tortoise should not have cracks, bruises or other damage. Its plastron should be able to hold some spring to it (though do not squeeze a baby tortoise as it is extremely stressful for them). Legs should be strong and muscular. The skin, the eyes and the vent should be free of discharge.
Before purchasing a tortoise ask the seller for an Article 10 certificate. It is a document the seller needs to sign to show that the tortoise has been microchipped and has been given an ID number. It is an official requirement in the US to have this before selling any tortoise.
It is also recommended to take your tortoise pet in to see a vet who is experienced with tortoises and is a specialist in exotic animals. The vet will check the animal for signs of disease parasites, other ailments and more. The vet may recommend an examination of the feces or blood tests, especially if the tortoise was imported illegally or was imported from a different country. A fecal exam can reveal Salmonella bacteria that is harmful to tortoises as well as humans. The vet will also conduct an examination of the general area and determine the tortoise's age. In the US hatchlings and young tortoises will be sold once they reach 4 inches in length. This is to separate males from females.
Tortoise Care
Tortoises live a long time and require special attention. You should think about your ability to care for a tortoise before ordering one on the internet. This is especially true in the case of an exotic tortoise that cannot be found in pet stores. Tortoises imported from their homelands are at a higher risk of being injured or sick during transport. By purchasing captive-bred turtles, you reduce this risk.
You'll also have to think about the space you have in your tortoise enclosure. African spurred tortoises, Leopard tortoises, and Burmese mountain tortoises need lots of space to roam and graze. They will not thrive in a small home environment. Russian, Hingeback and Mediterranean tortoises are smaller, and are better suited for homes with a small outdoor space.
You should have a large habitat for your tortoise. Include an easy carpet or substrate. The habitat should have an area to hide and a dish with a small amount of water. Tortoises use soaking to hydrate, defecate and clean themselves. Soaks should be given at least three times per week for about 10 minutes. Soaking dishes should be shallow and made of a material that is easy for the tortoise to get into and out without drowning. To prevent the spread of bacterial infections dishes that soak in water should be cleaned daily.
Additionally, you'll need a terrarium thermometer as well as a shallow dish for water and tortoise food. Additionally, you'll require food dish as well as an shallow water dish, and tortoise food.
A tortoise enclosure that's heavily decorated is a different way to give it personal touches. You can decorate your enclosure with plants and rocks that are safe for the tortoise. Make sure your pet is on a warm side of the enclosure for relaxing and cool with a hide box or cave to find shelter.
If you're looking to play with your tortoise pet it is essential to let it get used to you and trust you before handling it often. A lot of handling can cause stress that is harmful to tortoises. It is essential to have someone look after your tortoise if you are not there. They should be able to care for your tortoise and know when to contact your vet.
Tortoise Feeding
The requirements for tortoise food are different depending on the species however, they all require a diverse diet, as well as an adequate supply of calcium and UV-B. This doesn't mean a supermarket salad but rather a mixed variety of palatable, nutrient-rich plants which a tortoise would find in the wild. The tortoise should be able to roam and graze on an everyday basis however this should only occur in daylight hours or after it has buried itself for the duration of the night. Tortoises who are forced into continual activity/feeding patterns all year round show shocking rates of metabolic bone disease (see the article in the last few days titled "Tortoise Shell Deformities: a View From Inside').
The food should be served in a dish that is shallow enough, and should never be left unattended for a long time because this can lead to the rotting process and create health risks. During the grazing period, the tortoise must be fed as much of the food it can eat within 20 minutes. This lets the tortoise eat without putting excessive strain on its jaws. This also keeps the 'beak' located in front of the tortoise from growing too large.
Many species require fruit-based elements to their diet. This is particularly true for species of the rainforest, such as Red footed and Yellow footed tortoises. Fruits should be served only in small quantities, not more than twice per day. They must also be cleaned to get rid of any contaminants, including pesticides or other chemicals, that could be found in the flesh or on the skin of the fruit.
A variety of fruits can be offered to a tortoise, however it is recommended to avoid them when a tortoise is susceptible to diarrhoea. It is also important to avoid foods which are high in goitrogens or oxalic acids. Oxalic acid can block calcium absorption, while goitrogens can interfere with thyroid function. A lot of the cruciferous vegetables that are recommended for tortoises' diets like collards greens, turnips as well as bok-choy, mustard and bok-choy can be high in Oxalic acids.
Tortoise Health
It is important that you make sure you purchase a tortoise from a vendor who is familiar with the species. Reptile shops and people attending reptile shows/expos are good choices since they can give you the best guidance regarding how to care for your new pet. They will also be able to provide you with the proper equipment, like a tortoise enclosure. They will be able to spot signs of illness and will be able to answer any questions you may have. This is a much better option than purchasing a tortoise from a large pet store, as the tortoise might have been fighting with other animals while in a small tank, which could cause stress and cause damage to their shell.
It is not uncommon for tortoises to live 50 years or more, so it is vital that you plan correctly for their care and provide them with a good environment to allow them to enjoy their lives. The key element in this is proper diet, housing and environment.
If your tortoise is sick, you should consult a vet who is familiar with exotic animals. If you take them to a vet that is not familiar with tortoises can have catastrophic consequences.
Signs of the illness of a tortoise include swelling of the neck or limbs as well as difficulty moving, a loss in appetite and an excess of fecal feces. These signs could be indicative of digestive, liver or renal problems and should be addressed by a reptile vet immediately.
The swelling of the neck or limbs in a tortoise can be caused by difficulty digesting food, insect bites, parasitic infections, accumulation of toxin constipation, or an amalgamation of these conditions. Soaking the tortoise in tepid water for 30 minutes in a water bath, with the level just covering its plastron (bottom shell) is typically enough to ease this condition. It is also possible to treat this problem by increasing the tortoise's fiber intake, by adding dandelion roots to its diet or feeding it liquid parafin and/or lactulose.
A healthy tortoise will be active and its muscles will be firm and it will walk with its bottom shell, also known as the plastron, clear of the ground. It can also climb and dig effortlessly.