Like many new additions to your life, deciding to purchase a tortoise for sale should be a well thought out move. Pets in general can go through some serious lifestyle changes, especially if it’s your first pet. If you see a tortoise for sale and are considering getting one as a pet, there are many things to consider before taking the plunge. To find out if a pet turtle is right for you, read on to learn about its diet, temperament, habitat needs, and more.
Temper.
Although each tortoise has a different temperament, there are some species that are known to be friendlier than others. Many are known to have personalities and will act differently depending on a number of factors. Whether it’s Sulcata, Russian, Burmese, or any of countless other species, you’ll find a variety of personalities.
However, there are some common opinions about which turtles are best to keep. Sulcatas are known to be social and love to be touched and rubbed. Redfoots can be quite playful and affectionate. They are a great companion and love to be handled. Russians tend to be more daring, intrepid, although they can be timid at first.
Clothing.
Knowing what your turtle likes to do will help you create a better habitat for it. Like temperament, your turtle’s habits can vary; but there are common habits that you could expect from yours. They like to dig and usually prefer to go over any obstacle to go around it.
Tortoises also love to escape and hide, so make sure the enclosure is high enough that they can’t climb and there are plenty of places for your tortoise to hide. Although hand-feeding your turtle leaves you at risk of unintentional bites, they are not the type to bite voluntarily.
Enclosure.
Turtles are born small and adorable animals. Over the years, however, they can grow to hundreds of times their size. You can buy a tortoise for sale that will fit nicely into a small tank, but eventually you will have to find a hutch where it can live comfortably. As I mentioned earlier, they love to climb and escape from their enclosures. Therefore, it is necessary to have a strong and break-proof cage for your turtle. Glass is not recommended as tortoises prefer privacy and can become stressed with 4 glass walls not allowing them to hide. If you absolutely need glass, cover 3 sides and make sure you have room to hide.
If you keep it outside, a spacious cabin is perfect. An indoor tortoise may be fine in a plastic pool or a home cage.
Diet.
A tortoise’s diet is pretty straightforward. For the best diet, you should provide a variety of plant-based foods as well as protein from live foods. About 80% of your turtle’s diet should consist of fresh vegetables. Sweet potato, fresh kale, butternut squash…these are all great for your turtle. Every third or fourth feeding, offer your turtle fruit. Humans may love fruit, but a tortoise’s diet should only be 20% fruit.
Commercial foods like canned turtle food and pellets are also good for your turtle, as are different sources of protein from mealworms, crickets, and other insects.
lighting and temperature.
Turtles like it hot! You’ll want to make sure you provide more than one heat source, one of which is incandescent lighting. This gives them a place to bask in the warm artificial sunlight and get the warmth they like. Make sure they can also have warmth in the belly. An under-cage heater can work well with glass terrariums, but should never be used for plastic or wooden cages.
Start looking for turtles for sale
With all this knowledge at your fingertips, you now have a good idea of whether a pet turtle is right for you. Turtles are one of the most popular reptile pets, so finding turtles for sale won’t be a problem. If you feel like you would make a great tortoise owner but can’t decide which one to choose, you don’t have to worry. You can search for popular turtles for sale to see which one will grow with you and be the best company for you.