Where to Order Tortoise Online

It is recommended to purchase tortoises online through an reptile shop that is specialized in these species. They can assist you in finding the right tortoise for your needs, and advise on the best habitats, lighting and humidity requirements, as well as heat and other essential accessories.

Tortoises are long-lived animals that can live up to 100 years. These fascinating creatures require a lot of care.

How to Choose a Tortoise

If you're considering purchasing tortoise online, be sure the vendor you're dealing with is trustworthy and offers captive-bred animals. Reptiles that are captive-bred are less likely to be ill, as they've been raised in the conditions they require. They are also usually healthier and better socialized than tortoises from the wild.

Also consider the amount of time you will devote to caring for your pet. Tortoises can live up 80 years in captivity. Are you able to care for your tortoise in the event that you are no longer able to?

Buying from a local tortoise breeder can give you the opportunity to observe the tortoise's behavior in person and check its health. A well-cared-for tortoise appears alert and be healthy in body weight. The shell should not show cracks, bruising, or other damages. Its plastron should be able to hold a bit of spring (though never squeeze a baby tortoise as it can cause stress for tortoises). Legs should be strong and muscular. The eyes, skin and vent should be clear and free of discharge.

Ask the seller for an official certificate under Article 10 before purchasing a tortoise. This is a form that the seller must sign to prove that the tortoise is 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.

It is recommended that you take your tortoise pet to a vet who is experienced with tortoises and is a specialist in exotic animals. The vet will inspect the animal for signs of disease or parasites, as well as other issues. The vet may recommend a fecal examination and blood tests, particularly if the tortoise was imported illegally or originated from a different country. A fecal exam can reveal Salmonella bacteria that is harmful to tortoises as well as humans. The vet will also perform an overall examination and determine the tortoise's age. In the US the tortoises that are hatchlings or young will be sold once they reach 4 inches in length. This is to separate males from females.

Tortoise Care

Tortoises are long-lived animals that require special attention. You should consider your ability to care for tortoises before purchasing one online. This is particularly true in the case of an exotic tortoise which cannot be found in pet stores. Tortoises imported from their own countries have a higher risk of injury or illness during transport. By purchasing captive-bred turtles, you reduce the risk.

You'll need to consider the amount of space you have available for a cage for tortoises. African spurred tortoises (also known as Leopard tortoises) and Burmese Mountain Tortoises need a lot of space to move around and graze. They are not able to thrive in a small space. The Russian, Hingeback, and Mediterranean tortoises have smaller sizes and are more suitable for homes with little outdoor space.

Make sure you have a big enough habitat to house your tortoise, including reptile flooring or a substrate that is comfortable for your tortoise to lay on. It's important that the habitat includes an area to hide and a shallow water dish. Tortoises drink to keep hydrated, clean their bodies and feces. Two to three soaks a week, lasting about 15 minutes, should be offered. Soaking dishes should be slender, and made from an material that allows the tortoise an easy entry and exit without drowning. To prevent buy baby tortoise online of bacterial infections dishes that soak in water should be cleaned on a regular basis.

You will also need a terrarium thermometer as well as a shallow dish for water, and tortoise food. Also, you'll need an food bowl as well as a shallow dish filled with water, and tortoise feed.

A tortoise enclosure heavily decorated is a different method to add a personal touch. You can decorate your enclosure with rocks and plants that are safe for the tortoise. You should provide your pet with two sides of the enclosure: one for basking and the other with the cave or hide box to provide shelter.

If you want to play with your tortoise pet, it's important that you allow it to become accustomed to you and be able to trust you before handling it often. Overhandling can lead to undue stress, which is not good for tortoises. It is also essential to have someone to take care of your tortoise when you can't be there. This person should know how to care for your tortoise and when to contact your vet.

Tortoise Feeding

The tortoise feeding needs of a specific species vary hugely however all tortoises require a varied diet and an adequate supply of both calcium and UV-B. This does not mean a supermarket-style salad, but a variety of nutritious, tasty plants that a tortoise may find in the wild. The tortoise must be free to browse and graze on a regular basis, but this should only be done during daylight hours or after it has laid down for the duration of the night. Tortoises who are forced into constant feeding and activity patterns all year round show horrific rates of metabolic bone disease (see the latest article "Tortoise Shell Deformities: a View from Inside').

Food should be put in a shallow dish and never allowed to sit unattended for long. This will promote rotting, which can result in other health issues. During the grazing phase the tortoise should be fed as much food as it can eat in a period of 20 minutes. This lets the tortoise consume food without putting too much strain on its jaws. This also keeps the 'beak' in front of the tortoise from becoming overgrown.

Some species need fruit in their diet. This is especially true for species in the rainforest such as Red footed and Yellow footed tortoises. Fruits should only be offered in small quantities, but not more than twice a day. They should also be washed to remove any contaminants, including pesticides or other chemical compounds that may be present in the flesh or on the skin of the fruit.

Tortoises are able to eat various fruits, but it's recommended to stay clear of them if they are prone to diarrhea. It is also recommended to avoid foods that are high in goitrogens or oxalic acid. Oxalic acid could bind to calcium and prevent absorption while goitrogens may interfere with thyroid function. In the same way some of the cruciferous veggies that are often recommended as part of a tortoise's diet - like collard greens, turnips and mustard and bok choy are high in Oxalic acid.

Tortoise Health

It is crucial to purchase a tortoise only from a seller who is familiar with the species. Reptile shops and people at reptile shows/expos are excellent options as they can offer you the best tips on how to take care of your new pet. They'll also be able to supply you with the right equipment, such as the tortoise cage. They will be able answer any questions you may have and will are able to identify symptoms of disease. This is a better option than purchasing a tortoise from a large pet store, as the tortoise could have been fighting with other animals while in a small tank, which could cause stress and cause damage to their shell.

Tortoises can live up to 50 years. It is crucial to plan for their care and to provide them with the best possible environment to live a long and happy life. A healthy diet, a suitable housing and environmental factors.


If your tortoise gets sick, you must take it to a vet who is familiar with exotic animals. A vet who isn't familiar with tortoises could result in disastrous outcomes.

A tortoise's illness can be manifested by swelling of the neck and limbs as well as difficulty in moving, a loss of appetite, or an excessive amount of excretions of feces. These symptoms can be indicative of liver, digestive or renal issues and should be treated by a reptile veterinarian immediately.

Swelling of the neck or the limbs of a tortoise could be due to difficulty digesting food insects, insect bites, parasitic infections, buildup of toxin constipation, or a combination of these issues. This condition can be relieved by soaking the tortoise for 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 to its diet or adding dandelion roots to its diet.

A healthy tortoise is active and its muscles will be firm and it will walk with its bottom shell, known as the plastron, esthetic of the ground. It can also dig well and climb easily.