Where to Order Tortoise Online
The best place to order tortoise online is from reptile shops that specialize in these animals. They can assist you in finding the right tortoise for your needs, and also provide advice on lighting, habitats and humidity requirements, as well as heat and other accessories that are required.
Tortoises are long-lived animals that can live up to 100 years. They're fascinating animals that require a lot of attention.
How to Choose a Tortoise
If you're looking to purchase tortoise online, be sure the vendor you're dealing with is reputable and provides captive-bred animals. Reptiles that are kept in captivity are less likely to become sick, since they have been raised in the right conditions. They are also generally healthier and better socialized than tortoises from the wild.
Also take note of the time you'll need to dedicate to taking care of your pet. Tortoises are able to live up to 80 years in captivity. Are angonoka tortoise for sale to care for your tortoise in the event that you're no longer able?
You can examine the health of the tortoise and observe it in person if you purchase it from an animal breeder in your area. A healthy tortoise is alert and carries a healthy weight. The shell of the tortoise should not have cracks, bruising, or other damage. Its plastron must feel springy (but do not hold a tortoise baby in your hands as it can be extremely stressful). The legs must be strong and muscular. The skin, the eyes and the vent must be free of discharge.
Ask the seller for a certificate under Article 10 before purchasing a tortoise. This is a document the seller needs to sign to show that the tortoise has been microchipped and has been given an ID number. In the US, it is a requirement to have this form before selling any tortoise.
It is also recommended to take your tortoise pet in to see a vet who is familiar with tortoises, and who specializes in exotic animals. The vet will check the animal for signs of parasites, diseases, and other problems. He or she may suggest an examination of the feces or blood tests, particularly if the tortoise was imported illegally or was imported from a different country. A fecal examination can identify Salmonella bacteria which is dangerous to tortoises as well as humans. The vet will also perform general checks and determine the age of the tortoise. In the US tortoises are sold as juveniles and hatchlings until they reach 4" in length. This is to ensure that males and females are separated.
Tortoise Care
Tortoises are long-lived animals that require special attention. You should think about your ability to care for tortoises prior to purchasing one on the internet. This is especially important in the case of an exotic tortoise that can't be found in pet stores. Tortoises imported from their own countries are at a greater risk of injury or illness when they are shipped. Buying captive-bred turtles minimizes the risk.
You'll also have to think about the amount of space you have in your tortoise enclosure. African spurred tortoises Leopard tortoises and Burmese mountain tortoises require lots of space to roam and graze. These species won't thrive in a small home environment. Russian, Hingeback and Mediterranean tortoises are smaller and better suited for homes with a limited outdoor space.
Make sure you have a large enough habitat to accommodate your tortoise, which includes reptile carpet or a substrate that is comfortable for your tortoise to lie on. The habitat should have an area for hiding and a dish with a small amount of water. Tortoises rely on soaking to stay hydrated, urinate and wash themselves. Soaks should be provided every two to three days of the week for a period of 10-15 minutes. Soaking dishes should be shallow and constructed of a material that makes it easy for the tortoise leave and enter without drowning. Soaking dishes should be cleaned and disinfected regularly to avoid bacteria-related infections.
You'll also require an terrarium thermometer as well as a shallow dish for water and tortoise food. Additionally, you'll require an food dish and an shallow water dish, and tortoise food.
A heavilly decorated tortoise enclosure is another option to add a personal touch. You can decorate your enclosure with plants and stones that are safe for the tortoise. Make sure your pet has an area that is warm in the enclosure for relaxing and cool with an enclosure with a cave or hide box to find shelter.
It's important to allow your pet tortoise learn to trust and accept you before handling it often. Too much handling can cause excessive stress, which is not good for tortoises. It's important to have someone look after your tortoise if you are not there. The person you choose should be aware of how to care for your tortoise and know when to contact the vet.
Tortoise Feeding
Tortoise feeding requirements vary greatly according to the species however they all require a varied diet and an adequate supply of calcium and UV-B. This does not necessarily mean a supermarket salad however, rather a diverse selection of tasty, nutrient-rich plants which tortoises can find in the wild. The tortoise is supposed to browse and graze daily however only during daylight hours or after it is buried for the night. Tortoises that are forced to engage in continuous feeding patterns all year round show horrendous rates of metabolic bone disease (see the recent article "Tortoise Shell Deformities: a View From Inside').
The food should be served in a suitable shallow dish, and should never be left uncooked for too long because this can lead to rotting and other health hazards. During the time of grazing, the tortoise must 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 which is located at the front of tortoise.
A number of species require a fruit-based component to their diet. This may be particularly important for rainforest species like Red footed and Yellow footed tortoises. Fruits should only be served in small amounts, and not more than once a day. They must also be cleaned to remove any contaminants, including pesticides or other chemical compounds which may be found in the flesh or on the skin of the fruit.
Tortoises are able to eat various fruits, however it is best to avoid them if they are susceptible to diarrhea. Avoid angonoka tortoise for sale in oxalic or goitrogens. Oxalic acid may block calcium absorption, while goitrogens can hinder thyroid function. Similarly many of the cruciferous vegetables which are frequently recommended as a part of a tortoise's diet - like collards greens, turnips and mustard and bokchoy - are high in Oxalic acid.
Tortoise Health
It is important that you make sure you purchase a tortoise from a seller familiar with the species. A reptile shop or person at a reptile show or expo are excellent choices, since they are able to give you the best advice for caring for your new pet. They will also be able to provide you with the right equipment, such as a tortoise cage. They will be able answer any questions you may have and will be able to recognize signs of illness. This is a better choice to purchase a tortoise instead of an animal store that is large since it might have been fighting with other animals in a small tank, which can cause stress and damage to their shell.
Tortoises can live for up to 50 years. It is crucial to plan for their care and to provide them with the most suitable environment to enjoy their life. Proper diet, housing, and environment are the main elements.
If your tortoise is sick, you must take it to a vet who is familiar with exotic animals. A veterinarian who is unfamiliar with tortoises could result in disastrous outcomes.
The tortoise's disease can be identified by swelling of the neck and limbs, difficulty in moving, a loss of appetite, or an overflow of excretions from feces. These signs could be indicative of digestive, liver or renal issues and should be treated by a reptile veterinarian right away.
Swelling of the neck and limbs in a tortoise may be caused by trouble digesting food insects, insect bites, parasitic infections, toxin buildup, constipation or an amalgamation of these conditions. Soaking the tortoise in tepid water for 30 minutes in a water bath, with the level just covering its plastron (bottom shell), is usually sufficient to alleviate this condition. It is also possible to treat this problem 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, has firm muscles and can walk with its plastron (bottom shell) free of the ground. It will also dig easily and climb with ease.