beginning turtle/tortoise?

[skadiwolf]

hey guys, i'm looking for a good beginner's turtle/tortoise, preferably btwn 6-8 inches fully grown. looking at striped mud, box turtles, greek tortoise, or wood turtles. let me know what you think, thanks!!!
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[addsig]

Box turtle. Aquatic turtles are high maintenance. Box turtles can also be kept in an outside pen for most of the year too, espically where you're at. Plus they can pull all their appendages in their shell and "box" up, thus the name. Cool [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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[JuliusSqueezer]

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[skadiwolf]

is that a box turtle brett? awww...what a CUTE little guy/girl!!! |) turtles are just so sweet-looking! well, most of them. (grin)

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[JuliusSqueezer]

nope....that's a golden greek tortoise
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[skadiwolf]

um...so...you posted the picture because that's what you recommend or just to be annoying? (grin) [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]!!!

i've had those recommended to me by two people now.

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[JuliusSqueezer]

As long as you can provide space and food for potential size ...no land tortoise/turtle makes a bad pet. They all seem to do well in captivity. The only problem with the larger tortoises stems from their size only. Need more space...need more food....make bigger poops...too hard to pick up a 245 lb tortoise......box turtles, wood turtles, greek and russian tortoises...any of those are easy to keep. Bed them on timithy hay....it's kinda cool that they can graze on their bedding.
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[skadiwolf]

well, i know they're easier to keep, that's why i'm looking at those. however, i cannot decide which one i want. :/ they all have unique little things about them that endear them to me. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] however, i am a snake enthusiast...i merely like turtles a lot. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] so, no more than one for me...perhaps two in later years. but i've never had one and want to 'try one out' as it were. i am really, really enthused about semi-aquatic as i think they are so graceful and adore watching them swim. however -sigh- i think i'll go with a box, wood, or greek. yes, i'm aware that the last is a tortoise and not a turtle. opinions on these?

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[JuliusSqueezer]

I think the wood turtles are kinda ugly....box turtles are pretty....especially males with big red eyes. But if ya happen to get a shy one...you don't have much to look at except the shell because anytime ya get near....they suck it in and lock up tight. Some get over it and are pretty relaxed when handled though. They are pretty common here in Georgia and while the easterns that are native here are not actually legal to keep....many people do quietly in their homes. They are all over the roads in the summer time. Tortoises by far have the best personalities I think and do the best with human interaction....but that's just my opinion....another option is the various subspecies of hingebacked tortoises...they are pretty neat in a weird kinda way....kind of like reversed box turtles. I think they are really ugly but at the same time...really interesting.
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[skadiwolf]

hmmm...i find myself leaning more and more towards a cute little greek tortoise. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] i've heard they're personable and everything. now, if i really had my way -sigh- and TONS of space and money, i would get an african spur-thighed tortoise. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] those are awesome!!!

say, where do you get timothy hay? also, how much did you offer your tortoise for? and is that the turtle? how old? sexed? size? any details, diet, etc.? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

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