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Where to Order Tortoise Online The best place to buy tortoise online is through reptile stores that specialize in these animals. They can assist you in selecting the best tortoise for you and offer guidance on the best habitats lighting requirements, humidity, heat and other accessories. Tortoises are animals with long lives that can live for up to 100 years. These fascinating creatures require a lot of attention. How do you choose the tortoise If you are looking to purchase a tortoise through the internet, make sure that the seller is trustworthy and sells captive-bred animals. angonoka tortoise for sale that are captive-bred are less likely to get sick, since they have been raised in a safe conditions. In addition, they're usually healthier and more socialized than tortoises sourced from the wild. Also, consider the amount of time you are able to dedicate to care. Tortoises require a long-term commitment, and they can live for up to 80 years in captivity. Do you have someone who can care for your tortoise should you not provide it with the needed care? You can check the health of the tortoise and see it in person if you purchase from an animal breeder in your area. A well-cared-for tortoise is alert and have a healthy body weight. The shell of the tortoise should not have any cracks, bruising or other damages. Its plastron must have a springy feeling (but never hold a tortoise baby in your hands because it could be extremely stressful). The legs must be strong and muscular. The eyes, the skin and the vent must be clear of discharge. Request a certificate under Article 10 before purchasing a tortoise. This is a form that the seller must sign to prove that the tortoise is microchipped and has been given an ID number. It is an official requirement in the US to obtain this prior to selling any tortoise. You should also bring your tortoise pet to a vet who is experienced with tortoises, and who specializes in exotic animals. The vet will examine the tortoise for signs like parasites, diseases, and other problems. The vet may suggest the fecal exam as well as blood work, particularly when the tortoise is illegally imported or comes from a different country. A fecal exam will help determine the presence of Salmonella bacteria, which is very dangerous to humans and tortoises. The vet will also perform a general examination and determine the tortoise's age. In the US the hatchlings and young tortoises are sold when they attain 4 inches in length. This is to separate males from females. Tortoise Care Tortoises can live for a long time and require special attention. Before purchasing a tortoise on the internet you should take the time to consider your capacity to provide necessary care. This is especially important if you're looking for an exotic tortoise that can't be found in pet stores. Tortoises imported from their own countries have a higher chance of suffering from illness or injury when they are shipped. The purchase of captive-bred turtles reduces the risk. You'll need to consider the amount of space you have available for a tortoise cage. African spurred tortoises Leopard tortoises, and Burmese mountain tortoises require plenty of space to roam and graze. They are not able to thrive in a small environment. Russian, Hingeback and Mediterranean tortoises are smaller and are best suited to homes with a small outdoor space. Make sure you have a wide enough space to accommodate your tortoise. This includes a reptile carpet or substrate that's comfortable for your tortoise to rest on. The habitat should have an area for hiding and a shallow dish of water. Tortoises rely on soaking to stay hydrated, defecate and wash themselves. Three to four soaks a week, lasting between 10 and 15 minutes, should be given. Soaking dishes must be shallow, and made from materials that allow the tortoise to easily enter and exit without drowning. Soaking dishes must be cleaned and disinfected every day to prevent bacterial infections. Other supplies needed include a daytime UVB fixture and bulb with a nighttime light or ceramic heat emitter, a hygrometer spray bottles for misting, an automatic fogger, a terrarium thermometer and a vivarium light. Also, you'll need food bowls, a shallow dish of water, and tortoise food. A heavilly decorated tortoise enclosure is a great option to add personal touches. You can decorate the enclosure with plants and rocks that are safe for your tortoise consume. It is recommended to provide your pet with two sides of the enclosure: one for relaxing and the other for the cave or hide box to provide shelter. If you want to play with your tortoise pet it is essential to allow it to get used to you and be able to trust you before handling it frequently. Tortoises can suffer from stress when they are handled too often. It is also essential to have someone available to care for your tortoise in the event that you aren't able to be present. They should be able to care for your tortoise, and when to call the vet. Tortoise Feeding The tortoise feeding needs of the species they belong to differ greatly however all tortoises require a varied diet and a sufficient supply of both calcium and UV-B. This doesn't necessarily mean a salad from the supermarket but rather a varied selection of delicious, nutrient-rich plants which tortoises can find in the wild. The tortoise should be able to explore and graze on a daily basis however, this should only occur in daylight hours or after it has been buried for the duration of the night. Tortoises who are forced into continual activity/feeding patterns throughout the year have shocking rates of metabolic bone disease (see the latest article “Tortoise Shell deformities: A View From Inside'). Food should be put in a shallow dish and not left unattended for a long time. This can cause rotting, which can lead to other health risks. During the grazing period, the tortoise must be fed as much food as it can consume in 20 minutes. This allows the tortoise to eat without putting excessive strain on its jaws, and keeps the 'beak' located in front of the tortoise from becoming overgrown. Certain species require fruits in their diet. This may be particularly important for species of the rainforest, such as Red footed and Yellow footed tortoises. Fruits should only be offered in small amounts, and not more than once a day. They must also be cleaned to get rid of any contaminants, like pesticides or other chemical compounds which may be found in the flesh or on the skin of the fruit. A variety of fruits can be fed to a tortoise. However, it is advised to avoid when a tortoise is susceptible to diarrhoea. It is also worth avoiding foods that contain goitrogens or oxalic acids. Oxalic acid can bind with calcium and prevent its absorption, and goitrogens can interfere with thyroid function. In the same way many of the cruciferous vegetables which are often suggested as part of a tortoise's diet – like collards greens, turnips and mustard and bok choy can be extremely high in the oxalic acid. Tortoise Health It is important that you only buy a tortoise from a seller familiar with the species. Reptile shops and people attending reptile shows/expos are good options as they can offer you the most helpful advice on how to care for your new pet. They can also provide the appropriate equipment, such as an enclosure for tortoises. They will be able answer any questions you may have and will are able to identify signs of illness. This is a better choice to purchase a tortoise instead of an animal store that is large, as it could be fighting other animals in a small tank, 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 crucial to take care of them properly and provide them with a good place to live in so that they can enjoy their lives. Proper nutrition, housing, and environmental factors. In the event that your tortoise is sick, you must bring them to a veterinarian who is knowledgeable about exotic animals. A vet who is not familiar with tortoises may result in disastrous outcomes. The signs of disease in a tortoise could include swelling of the neck or limbs, difficulty moving, a loss of appetite and a large amount of fecal excrement. These symptoms are indicative of problems with the digestive system, liver or kidneys and should be addressed immediately by a reptile vet. Swelling of the neck or limbs in a tortoise may be caused by difficulty digesting food insects, insect bites or parasitic infections, buildup of toxin constipation, or the combination of these problems. Soaking the tortoise in tepid water for 30 minutes in a water bath, with the level only covering its plastron (bottom shell) is usually enough to ease this condition. It is also possible to treat this problem by increasing the tortoise's fibre intake, by adding dandelion roots to its diet or feeding it liquid parafin and/or lactulose. A healthy tortoise is active and strong. Its muscles will be firm and it will walk with its bottom shell, known as the plastron, free of the ground. It will also dig easily and climb with ease.