Where to Order Tortoise Online
It is recommended to purchase tortoises online through an reptile shop that is specialized in these animals. They can help you choose the right tortoise and provide guidance on the best habitats and lighting requirements, as well as humidity, heat and other accessories.
Tortoises are long-lived animals that can live for up to 100 years. These fascinating creatures require a lot care.
How to Choose a Tortoise
If you're planning to buy a tortoise on the internet, ensure that the seller is reputable and sells captive-bred animals. Reptiles that are bred in captivity are less likely to become sick because they've been raised in the conditions they need. They are also usually healthier and better socialized than tortoises who come from the wild.
Also, think about the amount of time you'll be able to dedicate to care. Tortoises can live up 80 years in captivity. Are you able to care for your tortoise if you are no longer able?
You can check the health of the tortoise, and even see it in person if you purchase it from an animal breeder in your area. A well-cared for tortoise appears alert and be healthy in body weight. The shell should be strong and free from bruises, cracks or other injuries. angonoka tortoise for sale must have a springy feel (but don't try to squeeze a tortoise because it could be extremely stressful). The legs must be strong and muscular. The skin, the eyes and the vent should be free of discharge.
Ask the seller for an official certificate under Article 10 before purchasing a tortoise. This is a document that the seller must sign showing that the tortoise is microchipped and is given an ID number. In the US it is required to have this form before selling any tortoise.
It's an excellent idea to take your tortoise pet to a veterinarian who specializes in exotic pets and has experience with tortoises. The vet will examine the tortoise for signs like parasites, disease and other health issues. The vet may recommend an examination of the feces and blood tests, particularly when the tortoise is imported illegally or originated from a different country. A fecal exam can help identify the presence of Salmonella bacteria, which is very dangerous to humans and tortoises. The vet will also conduct a general examination and determine the tortoise's age. In the US tortoises are sold as hatchlings and juveniles until they reach 4" in length. This is to ensure that females and males are not separated.
Tortoise Care
Tortoises live long and require special attention. Before purchasing a tortoise on the internet you should think about your ability to provide the necessary care. This is especially important in the case of an exotic tortoise which cannot be found in pet stores. Tortoises imported from their native countries have a higher risk of being injured or sick during transport. Buying captive-bred tortoises minimizes the risk.
You'll have to consider how much space you have available for a cage for tortoises. African spurred tortoises (also known as Leopard tortoises) and Burmese Mountain Tortoises require a lot of space to roam around and graze. They are not able to thrive in a small space. The Russian, Hingeback, and Mediterranean tortoises are smaller and are more suitable for homes with a little outdoor space.
You should have a large habitat for your tortoise. Include an easy reptile carpet or substrate. The habitat should have an area to hide and a dish with a small amount of water. Tortoises soak to hydrate, defecate and wash themselves. Soaks should be given at least three times per week for 10-15 minutes. Soaking dishes should be slender and made of a material that is easy for the tortoise leave and enter without drowning. To prevent bacterial infections, the dishes that soak should be cleaned on a regular basis.
Additionally, you'll need the thermometer for your terrarium and a shallow water dish, and tortoise food. In addition, you'll need a food dish, an shallow water dish, and tortoise food.
A heavilly decorated tortoise enclosure can be another way 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 relaxing and the other for the cave or hide box to provide shelter.
If you'd like to play with your pet tortoise, it's important that you allow it to get used to you and be able to trust you before handling it frequently. Tortoises are prone to stress when they are handled much. It is also essential to have someone available to care for your tortoise when you can't be there. This person should be able to follow the instructions for your tortoise's care exactly and know when to contact a vet.
Tortoise Feeding
The requirements for tortoise food are different according to the species however, they all require a varied diet, as well as an adequate supply of calcium and UV-B. This doesn't refer to a grocery salad however, rather a mixed variety of palatable, nutrient-rich plants which tortoises would encounter in the wild. The tortoise should be able to explore and graze on a regular basis however this should only occur in daylight hours or after it has been buried throughout the night. Tortoises who are forced into constant feeding and activity patterns all year round show horrendous rates of metabolic bone disease (see the latest article 'Tortoise Shell Deformities: A View from Inside').
The food should be served in a dish that is shallow enough and should not be left uncooked for too long because this can lead to the rotting process and create health hazards. During the grazing phase the tortoise should be fed as much food as it can eat in a period of 20 minutes. This allows the tortoise eat without straining its jaws, and avoids an overgrown 'beak located in front of tortoise.
Certain species require fruit in their diet. This is especially true for species of the rainforest, such as Red footed and Yellow footed tortoises. But, the fruits should be offered in very small quantities and not more than once a day, and they must be cleaned thoroughly prior to consumption to eliminate any possible contaminants like pesticides or other chemicals that may be present on the skin or in the flesh of these fruits.
Tortoises are able to eat diverse fruits, however it is recommended to stay clear of them if they are prone to diarrhea. It is also worth avoiding foods that contain goitrogens or oxalic acids. Oxalic acid could block calcium absorption while goitrogens could hinder thyroid function. Many of the cruciferous veggies that are suggested for tortoises' diets such a collard greens and turnips, mustard and bok-choy – can be high in Oxalic acids.
Tortoise Health
When you are looking to purchase a tortoise on the internet, it is important to ensure you purchase from a seller who is familiar with this type of pet. Reptile shops or people attending reptile shows/expos are good choices since they can give you the best advice on how to care for your new pet. They will also be able to provide you with the proper equipment, like the tortoise enclosure. They will be able to spot signs of illness and will be capable of answering any questions you may have. This is a far better option than buying tortoises from a big pet store, because the tortoise may have been fighting with other animals while in a small tank which will cause stress and possibly end up damaging their shell.
Tortoises can live up to 50 years. It is crucial to plan their care and provide them with the best possible home to enjoy their lives to the fullest. Proper diet, housing, and environment are the main elements.
If your tortoise is sick it is essential to visit a vet that is experienced in exotics. A veterinarian who is unfamiliar with tortoises may result in disastrous outcomes.
The signs of the illness of a tortoise include swelling of the neck or limbs, difficulties moving, a loss of appetite and an excess of fecal feces. These symptoms are indicative of problems with digestion the kidneys, liver or intestines and should be treated promptly by a reptile vet.
The swelling of the neck and the limbs of a tortoise could be caused by a variety of factors, including a poor diet, parasitic infection toxins, constipation, or a combination. Soaking the tortoise in warm water for 30 minutes and with the water level just covering its plastron (bottom shell), is usually sufficient to relieve this condition. It is also possible to treat this condition by increasing the tortoise's fiber intake, adding dandelion root to the feed or giving it liquid parafin or lactulose.
A healthy tortoise is active, its muscles will be firm and it will walk with its bottom shell, known as the plastron, clear of the ground. It can also dig well and climb up with ease.