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Where to Order Tortoise Online The best place to buy tortoise online is through reptile stores that specialize in these species. They can assist you in choosing the best tortoise for you and offer advice on habitats lighting requirements, heat, humidity and other accessories. Tortoises live up 100 years. These fascinating creatures require a lot of attention. How to Choose a Tortoise If you are looking to buy a tortoise on the internet, ensure that the seller is reputable and sells captive-bred animals. Reptiles that are kept in captivity are less likely to get sick, since they have been raised in the right conditions. In addition, they're typically healthier and more socialized than tortoises taken from the wild. Also, think about the amount of time you'll be able to dedicate to care. Tortoises are able to live up to 80 years in captivity. Do you have someone who can care for your tortoise in the event that you are unable to no longer provide it with the needed care? Purchasing from an animal breeder in your area can give you the opportunity to observe the tortoise's behavior in person and to check its health. A healthy tortoise is alert and has a healthy weight. The shell of the tortoise should not have cracks, bruising, or other damage. Its plastron should be able to hold a bit of spring (though do not squeeze a baby tortoise as it is extremely stressful for the animal). Legs should be strong and muscular. The eyes, the skin and the vent should be free of discharge. Before purchasing a tortoise request from the seller an Article 10 certificate. This is a document that the seller must sign proving that the tortoise is microchipped and has been issued an ID number. It is an official requirement in the US to have this before selling any tortoise. It's also a good idea to bring your pet tortoise to a veterinarian who is experienced in exotic pets and has experience with tortoises. The vet will check the tortoise for signs like parasites, diseases, and other problems. The vet might recommend the fecal exam as well as blood tests, especially in cases where the tortoise was illegally imported or comes from a different country. A fecal exam can reveal Salmonella bacteria, which can be harmful to tortoises as well as humans. The vet will also perform an overall checkup and determine the age of the tortoise. In the US, tortoises are sold as hatchlings and juveniles until they reach 4” in length. This is to ensure that males and females are not separated. Tortoise Care Tortoises can live for a long time and require special care. It is important to consider your capacity to take care of a tortoise before ordering one online. This is particularly true when you're searching for an exotic tortoise that can't be found in pet stores. Tortoises imported from their own countries are at a higher risk of injury or illness when they are shipped. By purchasing captive-bred turtles, you reduce the chance of suffering from this. You'll need to think about how much space you have available for a tortoise cage. African spurred tortoises, Leopard tortoises and Burmese mountain tortoises require lots of space to roam and graze. These species cannot thrive in a small space. Russian, Hingeback and Mediterranean tortoises are smaller, and are better suited for homes with a limited outdoor space. Make sure you have a wide enough habitat to house your tortoise. This includes reptile flooring or a substrate that is comfortable for the tortoise to rest on. It's crucial that the habitat includes a hiding place and a shallow water dish. Tortoises bathe to stay hydrated, wash themselves and defecate. Soaks should be administered at least three times per week for a period of 10-15 minutes. Soaking dishes should be shallow and constructed from a material that is easy for the tortoise to get into and out without getting soaked. Soaking dishes should be cleaned and disinfected regularly to prevent bacteria-related infections. You will also need the thermometer for your terrarium as well as a shallow dish for water and tortoise food. You'll also need a food bowl, a shallow dish of water, and tortoise food. A tortoise enclosure that is heavily decorated is another option to give it personal touches. You can decorate the enclosure with rocks and plants that are safe for your tortoise to eat. Make sure that your pet has a warm side of the enclosure to relax and cool with the cave or hide box to find shelter. It is important to let your pet tortoise become comfortable with and trust you first before you handle it often. Too much handling can cause excessive stress, which is harmful to tortoises. buy tortoise online 's also important that you have someone available to care for your tortoise when you can't be present. The person you choose must be able to follow your tortoise's instructions on care precisely and know when to contact a vet. Tortoise Feeding The food requirements of tortoises vary depending on the species however they all require a varied diet as well as an adequate supply of calcium and UV-B. This doesn't mean a supermarket-style salad but rather a wide range of nutritious, tasty plants that a tortoise could find in the wild. The tortoise must be free to browse and graze on an everyday basis, but this should only be done during daylight hours or after it has buried itself for the duration of the night. Tortoises who are forced to have a constant activity/feeding pattern throughout the year exhibit a terribly high rate of metabolic bone disease. (See the latest article “Tortoise Shells and Deformities: A View from the Inside”). Food should be placed in a shallow dish and never left unattended for a long time. This will promote rotting, which can result in other health issues. During buy tortoise online grazing period, the tortoise should be fed as much food as it can consume within 20 minutes. This allows the tortoise eat without putting excessive strain on its jaws. This also keeps the 'beak' in front of the tortoise from getting overgrown. Certain species require fruit-based elements to their diet. This is particularly important for rainforest species such as Red-footed and Yellow-footed Tortoises. However, fruit must be served in small amounts and not more than once a day, and they should be cleaned thoroughly prior to consumption to get rid of any possible contaminants like pesticides or other chemicals that might be present on the skin or in the flesh of these fruits. Tortoises can be fed a variety of fruits, however it is best to avoid them if they're prone to diarrhea. Avoid foods that are high in oxalic and goitrogens. Oxalic acid can bind with calcium and prevent its absorption, while goitrogens may interfere with thyroid function. Similar to this some of the cruciferous vegetables which are often suggested as part of a tortoise's diet – such as collard greens, turnips, mustard and bok choy are high in oxalic acid. Tortoise Health When choosing a tortoise online it is essential that you purchase from a seller that is familiar with this type of pet. Reptile shops or people attending reptile shows/expos are good options as they can offer you the best advice on how to care for your new pet. They will also be able to provide you with the right equipment, like the tortoise cage. They will be able to spot signs of illness and will be in a position to answer any questions you might have. This is a better option than purchasing a tortoise from an animal store that is large since it might have been fighting other animals in a small aquarium, which can cause stress and damage to their shell. It is not uncommon that tortoises live 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 life. The most important factor is a healthy diet, a suitable habitat and housing. If your tortoise gets sick, you must consult a vet who is familiar with exotic animals. Going to a vet who isn't familiar with tortoises can have catastrophic outcomes. Symptoms of disease in a tortoise could include swelling of the neck or limbs as well as difficulty moving, a loss of appetite and a large amount of fecal excrement. These symptoms indicate problems with the digestive system, liver or kidneys and should be addressed immediately by an animal vet. The swelling of the neck and the limbs of a tortoise could be caused by a range of causes, including poor diet, parasitic infection toxins, constipation, or a combination. Soaking the tortoise in tepid water for 30 minutes in a water bath, with the level just covering its plastron (bottom shell), is usually sufficient to relieve this condition. It is also possible to treat this condition by increasing the tortoise's fiber intake, adding dandelion root to the feed or giving it liquid parafin or lactulose. A healthy tortoise is active, has firm muscles and walks with its plastron (bottom shell) free of the ground. It can also dig well and climb easily.