Buying a Pet Tortoise

Tortoise is a great pet as they are sophisticated creatures with a potentially long life span and could be in your family for generations. You will have to take proper care and decide which types of tortoise pets are the best for you. Most of the tortoise do not take much space and are easy to handle. You should know different breeds and their sizes when you consider tortoise as pets.

There are about 300 different types of tortoises worldwide. Not all of them are good as pets. Considering each and every species is just not possible. You may get information from the internet or read books available on them. The best method to check the types of tortoise pets is your own locality. Take some time and learn every minute thing before you get your pet tortoise. That is no single species of tortoise that is a perfect pet for every one.

• You should visit a reputed pet shop in your area that specializes in reptiles. Ask for the local breeds of tortoise or the one which can live in your environment.
• Check what all is available at the pet shop and what catches your eye.
• You should read some books on care and maintenance of the various species that are available for sale.
• Ask the tortoise breeders some suggestions on some good reference material and try to get as much information as possible.
• Get the enclosure done before you pick up the type of tortoise you want. Make sure you have every thing it will need beforehand and prevent any distress to the animal (tortoise).
• Consider the adult size before you buy a baby tortoise available at your local pet shop.
• Try and get a tortoise that is captive born. It may cost you more, but it is cheaper in the long run as it does not require any veterinary assistance. Captive tortoise is much healthier and more used to people. There is no fun to watch a tortoise that hides from people all the time.

Types of Tortoise Pets:

• African spurred tortoise
• Red foot tortoise
• Hermann’s tortoise
• Russian tortoise
• Red eared slider
• Yellow bellied slider
• Map tortoise
• Box tortoise

Tips on Buying a Tortoise:

• You should pick a healthy tortoise and for that you should look out for.
• Eyes are bright and clear and there is no discharge or encrustations.
• Eyelids are not swollen or puffy.
• Breathing should not be wheezing or there should not be bubbles coming from nostrils.
• Should not gasp with open mouth.
• Limbs should be strong and working.
• Limbs should not dangle when you pick it.
• Limbs should not be thin and spindly.
• Check for any open, unhealed wounds on the soft areas.
• In case of aquatic tortoises, it should not swim with one side higher than the other.
• When released in water, it should submerge rapidly.
• Shell should be firm unless it is a soft shell tortoise.
• Cracks and pits should be checked for any infection or wounds.

There are different types of tortoise pets and it is very difficult to choose one. This article on buying a pet tortoise will answer all your queries and will help you in buying the best tortoise as pet.