Where to Order Tortoise Online
It is best to purchase tortoises on the internet from reptile shops that specialize in these animals. They can help you find the ideal tortoise for your needs, and advise on habitats, lighting temperature, humidity, and other necessary accessories.
Tortoises are long-lived animals that can live for up to 100 years. These fascinating creatures require a lot of care.
How to select a tortoise
If you're looking to buy a tortoise on the internet, make sure that the seller is reputable and sells captive-bred animals. Captive-bred reptiles are less likely to be sick because they've been raised in the conditions they require. Additionally, they're generally healthier and more socialized than tortoises that are sourced from the wild.
Also, think about the amount of time you are able to dedicate to care. Tortoises are a long-term commitment, and they can live for up to 80 years in captivity. Are you able to care for your tortoise if you're no longer able to?
You can check the health of the tortoise, and even see it in person when you purchase from an animal breeder in your area. A well-cared-for tortoise will appear alert and healthy in its body weight. Its shell should be firm and free from bruises, cracks, or other damages. The plastron should have a bit of spring (though do not squeeze a baby tortoise as it is extremely stressful for the animal). The legs should be strong and muscular. The eyes, skin, and vent should be clean and free of discharge.
Ask the seller for a certificate under Article 10 before purchasing a tortoise. This is a form that the seller must sign showing that the tortoise is microchipped and has been issued an ID number. It is legally required in the US to obtain this prior to selling any tortoise.
It's an excellent idea to take your tortoise pet to a veterinarian who is experienced in exotic pets and has experience with tortoises. The vet will inspect the animal for signs such as parasites, disease and other problems. The vet may suggest an fecal examination and blood tests, especially in cases where the tortoise was illegally imported or comes from a different country. A fecal test can reveal Salmonella bacteria, which can be harmful to tortoises as well as humans. The vet will also conduct an overall examination and determine the tortoise's age. In the US tortoises are sold as juveniles and hatchlings up to the point that they reach 4" in length; this is to ensure that males and females are kept separate.
Tortoise Care
Tortoises are long-lived creatures that require special attention. When you are considering buying a tortoise online you should be sure to assess your ability to provide the necessary care. This is particularly true in the case of an exotic tortoise that can't be found in pet stores. Tortoises that are imported from their home countries are at a higher risk of being injured or sick during transport. Buying captive-bred turtles minimizes the risk.
You'll need to think about the amount of space you have available for a tortoise cage. African spurred tortoises, Leopard tortoises and Burmese mountain tortoises need lots of space to roam and graze. These species will not thrive in a small home environment. The Russian, Hingeback, and Mediterranean tortoises have smaller sizes and are more suitable for homes that have limited outdoor space.
Make sure you have a wide enough space to accommodate your tortoise, including a reptile carpet or substrate that's comfortable for your tortoise to lie on. It's essential that the habitat has a hiding place and a water dish that is shallow. Tortoises drink to keep hydrated, clean themselves and urinate. Soaks should be administered two to three times a week for a period of 10-15 minutes. Soaking dishes must be shallow and made of an material that allows the tortoise easy entry and exit without drowning. Soaking dishes must be cleaned and disinfected every day to prevent the spread of bacterial infections.
You will also need an terrarium thermometer as well as a shallow dish for water and tortoise food. Also, you'll need a food bowl as well as a shallow dish filled with water, and tortoise food.
A tortoise enclosure decorated with lots of ornaments is another option to add personal touches. You can decorate the enclosure with plants and rocks that are safe for your tortoise to eat. Make sure your pet has an area that is warm in the enclosure for basking and cool with a hide box or cave to seek shelter.
It is essential to allow your pet tortoise to learn to trust and accept you before handling it often. Too much handling can cause excessive stress, which is harmful to tortoises. It's also important that you have someone on hand to take care of your tortoise in the event that you aren't able to be around. This person must be able follow the instructions for your tortoise's care exactly and know when to contact an animal vet.
Tortoise Feeding
The requirements for tortoise food of a specific species vary hugely but all tortoises require an extensive diet and a sufficient supply of both calcium and UV-B. This doesn't mean a supermarket-style salad, but a variety of nutritious, tasty plants that a tortoise might find in the wild. The tortoise must be free to explore and graze on a daily basis however, this should only occur in daylight hours or after it has buried itself throughout the night. Tortoises who are forced to have a constant activity/feeding pattern all year show a horrendous rate of metabolic bone disease. (See the article from last year entitled "Tortoise Shells Deformities: A View from Inside").
The food should be served in a suitable shallow dish and should not be left uneaten for long because this can lead to the rotting process and create health hazards. During the time of grazing the tortoise needs to be fed the amount of food it can eat in a period of 20 minutes. This lets the tortoise consume food without placing too much stress on its jaws, and stops the so-called "beak" located in front of the tortoise from growing too large.
Certain species require a fruit-based component to their diet. This is particularly true for rainforest species like Red-footed and Yellow-footed Tortoises. But, the fruits should be provided in very small quantities and not more than once per day, and they should be cleaned thoroughly prior to consumption to get rid of any possible contaminants like pesticides and other chemicals that could be present on the skin or in the flesh of these foods.
Tortoises are able to eat diverse fruits, but it's best to avoid them if they are susceptible to diarrhea. It is also worth avoiding foods which are high in goitrogens or oxalic acid. Oxalic acid can bind to calcium and prevent absorption, while goitrogens can affect thyroid function. Many of the cruciferous vegetables that are suggested for tortoises' diets - such a collard greens and turnips such as bok-choy, mustard, and collard greens - can be high in the oxalic acids.
Tortoise Health
When shopping for a tortoise online, it is essential that you purchase one from a vendor who is knowledgeable about this kind of pet. Reptile shops or those at reptile shows/expos are excellent choices as they can give you the best tips on how to care for your new pet. They can also provide you with the proper equipment, like the tortoise enclosure. They will be able to spot symptoms of illness and be in a position to answer any questions you might have. radiated tortoise for sale is a better option than purchasing a tortoise from an animal store that is large, as it could be fighting other animals in a small aquarium which could cause stress and damage to their shell.
It is not unusual for tortoises to live for 50 years or more, so it is vital that you plan correctly for their care and provide them with a comfortable environment to allow them to live a long and happy life. The key element in this is a healthy diet, shelter and the environment.
In the event that your tortoise becomes ill it is essential to bring them to a veterinarian who is familiar with exotics. A vet who isn't familiar with tortoises may result in disastrous outcomes.
The signs of disease in a tortoise could include swelling of the neck or limbs, difficulties moving, loss of appetite, and an excessive amount of fecal feces. These symptoms are indicative of problems with digestion, liver or kidneys and should be treated immediately by a reptile vet.
The swelling of the neck and the limbs of a tortoise could be caused by a variety of causes, including poor diet, parasitic infection constipation, toxins or a combination of. Incubating the tortoise with tepid water for 30 minutes in a water bath, with the level only covering its plastron (bottom shell) is typically enough to relieve this condition. You can also treat this problem by increasing the tortoise's fibre intake, by adding liquid parafin or lactulose to its feed, or adding dandelion roots to the diet.
A healthy tortoise is active, has firm muscles, and walks with its plastron (bottom shell) free of the ground. It will also dig easily and climb up with ease.