Where to Order Tortoise Online

It is best to order tortoises online from a reptile shop that specializes in these species. They can assist you in finding the right tortoise for your needs, and advise on habitats, lighting, heat, humidity requirements and other accessories that are required.

Tortoises are long-lived animals which can live for as long as 100 years. These fascinating creatures require a lot of care.

How to Select a Tortoise

If you're considering purchasing tortoise on the internet, make sure the vendor you're dealing with is reliable and provides captive-bred animals. Reptiles that are kept in captivity are less likely to be sick because they've been raised in a healthy conditions. They are also generally healthier and more social than tortoises who come from the wild.

Also consider the amount of time you'll need to dedicate to taking care of your pet. Tortoises are an ongoing commitment, and they can live as long as 80 years in captivity. Do you have someone who will take care of your tortoise in the event that you are unable to no longer provide it with the necessary care?

Buying from an animal breeder in your area can allow you to see the tortoise in person and check its health. A healthy tortoise is alert and carries a healthy weight. Its shell should be firm and free from cracks, bruises or other damages. Its plastron must have a springy feel (but never hold a tortoise baby in your hands as it can be extremely stressful). Legs should be strong and muscular. The eyes, skin and vent should be clean and free of discharge.

Before buying a tortoise, request from the seller an Article 10 certificate. This is a form that the seller must sign proving that the tortoise has been microchipped and is given an ID number. It is legally required in the US to have this before selling any tortoise.

It is recommended that you take your tortoise pet to a vet who is experienced with tortoises and specializes in exotic animals. The vet will inspect the animal for signs of parasites, diseases and other issues. The vet may recommend an examination of the feces and blood tests, particularly 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 and humans. The vet will also do general checks and determine the age of the tortoise. In the US tortoises that are hatchlings or young will be sold until they attain 4 inches in length. This is to differentiate males from females.

Tortoise Care

Tortoises are long-lived animals that need special care. When you are considering buying a tortoise online it is important to take the time to consider your ability to provide the needed care. This is especially important in the case of exotic tortoises not available in pet stores. Tortoises imported from their own countries are at a higher risk of being injured or sick during transport. The purchase of captive-bred tortoises reduces the risk.

You'll also have to think about the space you have available for a tortoise enclosure. African spurred tortoises Leopard tortoises, and Burmese mountain tortoises require plenty of space to roam and graze. These species won't thrive in a tiny home environment. The Russian, Hingeback, and Mediterranean tortoises are smaller and are better suited to homes that have little outdoor space.

Make sure you have a big enough habitat to accommodate your tortoise. This includes a reptile carpet or substrate that's comfortable for your tortoise to rest on. It's important that the habitat includes a hiding place and a water dish that is shallow. Tortoises drink to stay hydrated, wash their bodies and feces. Two to three baths per week, lasting between 10 and 15 minutes, should be offered. Soaking dishes should be slender and made of a material that is easy for the tortoise to leave and enter without getting soaked. To prevent bacterial infections, the dishes that soak should be cleaned on a regular basis.

Other supplies needed include the daytime UVB bulb and fixture with a nighttime light or ceramic heat emitter, a humidifier, a spray bottle to mist, an automatic fogger, a thermometer for terrariums and a vivarium light. In angonoka tortoise for sale , you'll need food dish and an shallow water dish, and tortoise food.

A tortoise enclosure that's decorated with lots of ornaments is another option to add personal touches. You can decorate your enclosure with plants and rocks that are safe for the tortoise. You should give your pet two sides of the enclosure: one for basking and the other for a cave or hide box to provide shelter.

If you're looking to play with your pet tortoise it is important to allow it to get used to you and trust you prior to handling it often. A lot of handling can cause undue stress, which is harmful to tortoises. It is also essential to have someone to care for your tortoise if you're not able to be present. The person you choose should be able to follow the instructions for your tortoise's care exactly and know when to contact a vet.

Tortoise Feeding

The food requirements of tortoises vary depending on the species however they all require a varied diet and an adequate supply of calcium and UV-B. This doesn't mean a salad from a supermarket but rather a wide range of nutritious, tasty plants that a tortoise may encounter in the wild. The tortoise is supposed to browse and graze daily however only during daylight hours or after it has been buried for the night. Tortoises who are forced to be active and feeding throughout the year have a high rate of metabolic bone disease. (See the article from last year entitled "Tortoise Shells Deformities: A View from Inside").

Food should be placed in a shallow dish and never left unattended for a long time. This can cause rotting, which can lead to other health risks. During the time of grazing, the tortoise should be fed as much of the food as it can consume within 20 minutes. This allows the tortoise eat without putting excessive strain on its jaws. This also keeps the 'beak' at the front of the tortoise from becoming overgrown.

Certain species require fruit in their diet. This is especially true for species of the rainforest, such as Red footed and Yellow footed tortoises. Fruits should only be served in small quantities, but not more than twice per day. They should also be washed to eliminate any contaminants, such as pesticides, or other chemicals that may be present in the flesh or on the skin of the fruit.


Tortoises can be fed various fruits, however it is best to avoid them if they are susceptible to diarrhea. It is also worth avoiding foods that are high in oxalic acid or goitrogens. Oxalic acid may bind to calcium and block its absorption, and goitrogens may interfere with thyroid function. Similar to this, many of the cruciferous vegetables that are often suggested as part of a tortoise's diet - such as collard greens, turnips and mustard and bokchoy - can be very high in oxalic acid.

Tortoise Health

It is crucial to only buy a tortoise from a seller who is familiar with the species. A reptile shop or a person at a reptile show/expo are ideal options since they are capable of giving you the best advice on taking care of your new pet. They can also provide you with the right equipment, like an enclosure for tortoises. buy turtles online can answer any questions you may have and will are able to identify signs of disease. This is a better option than buying tortoises from a huge pet store, since the tortoise could have been fighting with other animals in a small aquarium, which will cause stress and possibly damage their shell.

It is not uncommon that tortoises live 50 years or more. Therefore, it is vital that you take care of them properly and provide them with a comfortable home to help them enjoy their lives. The key element in this is a healthy diet, a suitable housing and environment.

If your tortoise is sick, you must bring it to a veterinarian who is familiar with exotic animals. A veterinarian who is unfamiliar with tortoises may cause disastrous consequences.

The signs of disease in a tortoise could include swelling of the neck or limbs, difficulty moving, loss of appetite and a large amount of fecal droppings. These symptoms could be a sign of digestive, liver or renal problems and should be treated by a reptile vet immediately.

Swelling of the neck or limbs in a tortoise may be caused by difficulty digesting food insects, insect bites or parasitic infections, buildup of toxin, constipation or an amalgamation of these conditions. This condition can be treated by soaking the tortoise 30 minutes in tepid (warm) water, just covering the plastron of the shell. You can also treat this condition by increasing the tortoise’s fibre intake, adding liquid parafin or lactulose in its diet or adding dandelion root to the diet.

A healthy tortoise will be active and its muscles will be strong and it will walk with its bottom shell, referred to as the plastron, clear of the ground. It will also dig and climb effortlessly.