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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2007 19:43:17 GMT
I'm considering getting a tortoise ;D I've always liked them, but don't have any practical experience. Just wondered if anyone here has? My little boy is allergic to fur, and is desperate to have a pet.
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Post by Weeterrier on Dec 5, 2007 21:46:04 GMT
I've never had a tortoise, RM, but I have turtles, not recommended. Tortoises I would think are a better choice. You will find masses of help online, and specialist places to buy everything from. You will also find enthusiasts more than willing to help you.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2007 21:51:09 GMT
Thanks WF  I've been looking on the web, and it all seems very confusing. |
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Post by chickadeedeedee on Dec 6, 2007 2:18:28 GMT
How old is your little boy? If very young, PLEASE DO NOT get a turtle or tortoise. They pose a serious health threat from things such as Salmonella unless your son is old enough to understand the importance of washing hands after handling their pet or where they live and never give them a kiss!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2007 12:07:41 GMT
Hi cd3  My lad is 7, but he will always be supervised with Wilbur (his name choice, not mine!!! ;D) I've been to a reptile breeder today, and I can't believe how expensive it all is!  We'll have to save up  |
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Post by chickadeedeedee on Dec 6, 2007 12:27:32 GMT
Ahh. That's good. Yes. Amazing how something so small costs so much to purchase and keep! |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Dec 6, 2007 20:44:57 GMT
Lived next door to a tortoise once... my son regularly earned a fiver searching for it. They are surprisingly determined escape artists and sexually active, given a chance. Getting a pair might a) make them less likely to seek to escape, b) be more considerate from a welfare point of view and c) interest your son in breeding (and selling) them... I think you may need a licence to do that, but the breeder you're talking to might take them.
OM.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2007 21:34:49 GMT
Hi OM I've asked a breeder about keeping a pair, and he advised against it. Apparantly they are extremely hard to sex until they are about 5, and if you get two males, will be very aggressive <yikes> In the wild they are solitary animals, only meeting up to mate, so I think we'll have just the one. My mum had one as a child, and she said that in the end they painted a dab of white paint on it's shell to aid in finding it!!! ;D |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Dec 7, 2007 10:00:41 GMT
Sounds like the wandering, sexual tension and aggression is a few years off then RM... tortoises/teenagers, much the same thing really... except you'll have the option of buying the tortoise a mate when the time comes!
OM.
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I've been looking on the web, and it all seems very confusing.
We'll have to save up 
