Experience with Tortoises?

I've had two tortoises. Both, I was told, were boys. Both laid eggs.
Aside from the fact that these reptiles are difficult to sex (tell gender of), they are not 'give back' creatures. They don't give back love. They don't do anything to endear them to you. They can't tell you when they are sick or hurt and they are smelly.
And then they can live for a long time. Do you want to have a pet for 50-80 years? I prefer to be a forever home to pets....

My neighbor has a tortoise (I don't remember what breed, but it has a large hump looking shell) and it does very well here in Florida, it was a rescue she didn't purchase it. She keeps a small fence around it and a light inside the house (for when it gets cold in the winter). You must be sure that no other animals can get to it, but I don't think they are high maintenance. I think the biggest thing to look into would be the life span, some live for hundreds of years.

I would look into what care they need before getting an animal like this.

I have many gopher tortoises living on our 5 acres, I don't do anything for them except protect them and make sure they have safe homes (many get run over here) in their natural environment.

http://www.defenders.org/gopher-tortoise/basic-facts

FYI: a tortoise would need different care then a turtle and I don't think they spread salmonella.

My brother has both a tortoise and a turtle. He says they are very easy to care for but did his research before getting them. The tortoise does snap--though the turtle more so guess that would not make a difference. I would look into caring for it and go for it if that is what you want to do. his dogs never bothered his lizards.
Of course, my bro also has a boa and an albino and others.

no clue, but wow! how cool! i'd for sure poke around and make sure there's a vet in reach who does 'exotics' and lots of reading. i assume your friends are also your main go-to for instructions and tips.
i look forward to hearing about it. make sure you post periodically about how it's going!
:) khairete
S.

My sister has had many reptiles. She has one desert tortoise right now. She had to get a special license as he was a rescue. He lives outside during the warm months and then in a special box when he hibernates. You will need to put some effort into educating yourself about the care that is needed so as to avoid some of the risks. (The area he is in needs to be secure as they can wander off and you need to make sure that they do not end up on their backs and then are unable to flip over. You will need to find a vet with experience with reptiles. I think he is a great pet, but a lot of work. (Easy to find a dog sitter for vacation, not so much someone who can care for reptiles.) Also, they live a long time (longer than people) with proper care, so keep that in mind.

I had a box turtle once, can't say I would want another one. He lived in an aquarium tank which needed to be cleaned very often, otherwise it would become very smelly. They eat a lot of spring mix/spinach type foods which goes right through them quickly. I would dump out the reptile "bedding (woodchips)" and replace them with new ones, also have to really clean out the tank with hot water/vinegar. You can let them free roam a bit but really have to keep an eye on them if outside, they can disappear quickly. I would be concerned about the dog going after it. I would prefer a dog anyday over a reptile.

Reptiles do carry salmonella. It can also be in their cages. If you do get one you will need to be sure that anyone who handles it, or touches anything inside the terrarium, washes their hands very well before they touch their faces or anything else.

I would also keep your dog away from it.

Know that tortoises often outlive their owners. You will need to make arrangements in your Will, just like you would for your children.

head to the library and check out books on how to care for a tortise.
i had a turtle once and will never do that again, it was smelly. and now my dog has tried to eat a turtle... if your dog is against other animals it may not like the tortise