Is a tortoise a good pet?

Question

I was wondering do tortoises make good pets? Do they carry salmonella? What kind of care do they need? Wat different breeds are there to choose from?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

good question, yes they are good pets i love mine, a russian tortoise you want to be sure to wash your hands after playing with it or feeding it because of the salmonella //

Answer 2

Yes they are wonderful pets.

As for which species is best for you, do some research to see which you can give the best home to.

Some stay small, some get well over 100 pounds and can ram down fences. And all size & shapes in between.

On this site you can find species, care sheet and pictures.

http://www.chelonia.org/

Always check into adopting a pet. For adopting turtles and tortoises do a "turtle rescue" search.

Good luck

Answer 3

yes they can make good pets if you are not expecting them to be an energetic pet they eat sleep and walk around most people get them and think they will be fun to watch, yes they are if you have the patience to sit for ages watching a slow moving pet, they do carry salmonella but with basic hygiene (washing your hands after contact) it does not pose a problem, the care depends on what type of tortoise you want to get so here are some sites to look at and see the different types and their care

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/

http://www.tortoise.org/

http://www.tlady.clara.net/id16.htm

http://russiantortoise.org/care_sheet.ht...

http://www.slowcoach.org.uk/

http://www.sulcata-station.org/index.htm...

for a beginner the best tortoise is the russian (horsefield) they are a hardy tortoise that is the easiest to care for best od luck with your search honey hope you find a tortoise

Answer 4

Tortises make good pets. For one, if you are allergic to furry critters, tortises are a perfect alternative. They may carry salmonella but if you wash your hands after holding them you should be fine. However, they are a life long commitment, they can live 50-100 years. Some can get up to 60 pounds. They do need a large enclosure. If you want a tortoise I would reccomend the breed of Hermann's Tortoise, also the known as the Mediterranean. They are fairly small, grow 6-8 inches and live for 75+ years. This tortoise should eat leafy greens and vegetables in smaller quantities. It is said to ouse them outdoors if possible but it is easier to have a large pen for them that is kept heated. An easier alternative is a box turtle. Hope this helps!