{"id":86623,"date":"2022-04-22T12:05:21","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T12:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/"},"modified":"2022-04-22T12:05:21","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T12:05:21","slug":"does-tortoise-make-good-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"Does tortoise make good pets?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Does_tortoise_make_good_pets\" title=\"Does tortoise make good pets?\">Does tortoise make good pets?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Can_tortoises_be_scared_to_death\" title=\"Can tortoises be scared to death?\">Can tortoises be scared to death?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Can_you_buy_a_tortoise_in_the_UK\" title=\"Can you buy a tortoise in the UK?\">Can you buy a tortoise in the UK?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Can_a_tortoise_survive_on_its_own\" title=\"Can a tortoise survive on its own?\">Can a tortoise survive on its own?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Are_tortoises_good_pets_for_beginners\" title=\"Are tortoises good pets for beginners?\">Are tortoises good pets for beginners?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Is_a_tortoise_a_good_house_pet\" title=\"Is a tortoise a good house pet?\">Is a tortoise a good house pet?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Is_it_cruel_to_keep_a_tortoise_as_a_pet\" title=\"Is it cruel to keep a tortoise as a pet?\">Is it cruel to keep a tortoise as a pet?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Do_pet_tortoises_like_their_owners\" title=\"Do pet tortoises like their owners?\">Do pet tortoises like their owners?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Can_tortoises_die_from_being_scared\" title=\"Can tortoises die from being scared?\">Can tortoises die from being scared?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#What_happens_when_a_tortoise_gets_scared\" title=\"What happens when a tortoise gets scared?\">What happens when a tortoise gets scared?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#How_do_you_know_if_a_tortoise_is_scared\" title=\"How do you know if a tortoise is scared?\">How do you know if a tortoise is scared?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#How_much_is_a_tortoise_UK\" title=\"How much is a tortoise UK?\">How much is a tortoise UK?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#How_do_I_get_a_tortoise_in_the_UK\" title=\"How do I get a tortoise in the UK?\">How do I get a tortoise in the UK?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#How_can_I_get_a_pet_tortoise\" title=\"How can I get a pet tortoise?\">How can I get a pet tortoise?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Can_tortoises_live_alone\" title=\"Can tortoises live alone?\">Can tortoises live alone?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Can_tortoises_die_from_loneliness\" title=\"Can tortoises die from loneliness?\">Can tortoises die from loneliness?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#How_long_can_you_leave_a_tortoise_on_its_own\" title=\"How long can you leave a tortoise on its own?\">How long can you leave a tortoise on its own?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#How_long_can_you_go_without_feeding_a_tortoise\" title=\"How long can you go without feeding a tortoise?\">How long can you go without feeding a tortoise?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Are_tortoises_an_easy_pet\" title=\"Are tortoises an easy pet?\">Are tortoises an easy pet?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#What_is_the_easiest_tortoise_to_take_care_of\" title=\"What is the easiest tortoise to take care of?\">What is the easiest tortoise to take care of?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Do_tortoise_like_to_be_petted\" title=\"Do tortoise like to be petted?\">Do tortoise like to be petted?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#What_is_the_friendliest_tortoise\" title=\"What is the friendliest tortoise?\">What is the friendliest tortoise?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Are_tortoises_easy_to_take_care_of\" title=\"Are tortoises easy to take care of?\">Are tortoises easy to take care of?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Is_it_cruel_to_have_a_tortoise_as_a_pet\" title=\"Is it cruel to have a tortoise as a pet?\">Is it cruel to have a tortoise as a pet?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/does-tortoise-make-good-pets\/#Why_tortoise_should_not_be_kept_at_home\" title=\"Why tortoise should not be kept at home?\">Why tortoise should not be kept at home?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_tortoise_make_good_pets\"><\/span>Does tortoise make good pets?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Tortoises make great pets despite their shy, docile, and quiet state. These low-maintenance animals are easy to make room for, and they are harmless. The Russian tortoise, Greek tortoise, Egyptian tortoise, Indian star tortoise, Hermann&#8217;s tortoise, and pancake tortoise are small-sized pets.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_tortoises_be_scared_to_death\"><\/span>Can tortoises be scared to death?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>They are fairly solitary animals, though they do have a need for some social time. <b>If your enclosure is too small and the other tortoise is picking on him, your tort might get stressed to the point he simply dies.  It&#8217;s hard to believe stress can kill, but it&#8217;s a fact.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_buy_a_tortoise_in_the_UK\"><\/span>Can you buy a tortoise in the UK?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Is it Legal to Buy a Tortoise in the UK? <b>Yes, it is completely legal to buy a tortoise in the UK as long as you do it properly.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_a_tortoise_survive_on_its_own\"><\/span>Can a tortoise survive on its own?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the wild, tortoises live relatively solitary lives. They usually come together for breeding purposes but live most of their lives alone. Female tortoises may guard their nests, but they do not protect or raise their babies. That means <b>even very young tortoises naturally live on their own<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_tortoises_good_pets_for_beginners\"><\/span>Are tortoises good pets for beginners?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>The Hermann&#8217;s Tortoise is docile and gentle with a great temperament for a beginner pet. Similar to other breeds, they enjoy leafy greens (like dandelions and kale) and will occasionally eat fruit. They are gentle and active tortoises who are great for any beginner.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_tortoise_a_good_house_pet\"><\/span>Is a tortoise a good house pet?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Tortoises are long-lived, hearty, and reasonably easy to care for. <b>They are not an ideal pet to keep indoors, and not a pet that is played with, cuddled, or handled very often. Tortoises thrive best where they get sunshine and fresh air.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_cruel_to_keep_a_tortoise_as_a_pet\"><\/span>Is it cruel to keep a tortoise as a pet?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Though cute, <b>turtles and tortoises do not make good pets for children, especially because they can transmit salmonella. If you do choose to purchase a turtle or tortoise, choose the species carefully.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_pet_tortoises_like_their_owners\"><\/span>Do pet tortoises like their owners?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Yes, it can! Tortoises and turtles show affection in different ways than a human or dog would. Yet, both turtles and tortoises are definitely able to show affection or at least a preference when it comes to their human friends.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_tortoises_die_from_being_scared\"><\/span>Can tortoises die from being scared?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Yes. <\/b><b>Tortoises can die of stress, though it is a fairly rare occurrence. All animals, including tortoises, can become stressed and the symptoms of stress can cause issues with both motivation and the immune system. If a pet tortoise is stressed for long enough it may become sick which can lead to its death.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_when_a_tortoise_gets_scared\"><\/span>What happens when a tortoise gets scared?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When scared, tortoises <b>retreat into their shells, tucking away their head and legs to keep themselves safe from harm. Tortoises may make a hissing sound due to the exhalation of air as this happens. Also, tortoises urinate or defecate to make themselves less desirable to predators.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_know_if_a_tortoise_is_scared\"><\/span>How do you know if a tortoise is scared?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Many turtles are known for their ability to retract to their shells whenever they are feeling threatened and are seeking protection. Turtles are usually afraid of <b>predatory animals that seek to use them as food items<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_is_a_tortoise_UK\"><\/span>How much is a tortoise UK?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You can buy a <b>baby tortoise starting from around xa350. If you are looking to get an older tortoise they can go for hundreds to thousands of pounds. Breed  The average price of a Hermann&#8217;s tortoise is around xa3150, while another species such as an Indian star tortoise can cost anywhere between xa3350 and xa31000.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_get_a_tortoise_in_the_UK\"><\/span>How do I get a tortoise in the UK?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>A full-grown adult tortoise needs space to roam and will thrive in an enclosure that&#8217;s at least 50 gallons in volume. All tortoises need a well-ventilated, properly lit enclosure with a screened lid. Tortoises like to soak up the rays and are most active during the day.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_I_get_a_pet_tortoise\"><\/span>How can I get a pet tortoise?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Popular tortoise breeds kept as pets in the UK include  <b>red-footed tortoise, yellow-footed tortoise, spur-thighed tortoise, Hermann&#8217;s tortoise, Indian Star tortoise and Leopard tortoise.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_tortoises_live_alone\"><\/span>Can tortoises live alone?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Although tortoises, like other reptiles, <b>usually live alone, many people still keep more than one tortoise in their tortoise enclosures without any problems at all. If you want to have multiple tortoises, there are some things that you should keep in mind.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_tortoises_die_from_loneliness\"><\/span>Can tortoises die from loneliness?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Yes. <\/b><b>Tortoises can die of stress, though it is a fairly rare occurrence. All animals, including tortoises, can become stressed and the symptoms of stress can cause issues with both motivation and the immune system. If a pet tortoise is stressed for long enough it may become sick which can lead to its death.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_can_you_leave_a_tortoise_on_its_own\"><\/span>How long can you leave a tortoise on its own?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>On average a tortoise is able to survive <b>3 months (90 days) without food. The amount of time can increase or decrease based on factors like age, size, species, environment, and prior diet. If you were planning on leaving your tortoise home alone for the weekend you can do so without any worry.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_can_you_go_without_feeding_a_tortoise\"><\/span>How long can you go without feeding a tortoise?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In general, a healthy adult tortoise can live for as much as <b>6 months to 3 years without food, provided that they have access to drinking water and their other needs are met.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_tortoises_an_easy_pet\"><\/span>Are tortoises an easy pet?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Tortoises are long-lived, hearty, and <b>reasonably easy to care for. They are not an ideal pet to keep indoors, and not a pet that is played with, cuddled, or handled very often. Tortoises thrive best where they get sunshine and fresh air.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_easiest_tortoise_to_take_care_of\"><\/span>What is the easiest tortoise to take care of?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>The Russian Tortoise. This is a popular choice for new tortoise owners and people who have kept lots of other tortoises. They are fairly inexpensive, small, and beautiful to look at. Easy to care for and quick to bond, these are a great choice.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_tortoise_like_to_be_petted\"><\/span>Do tortoise like to be petted?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the proper care, however, <b>most tortoises appear to enjoy being touched by their caretakers. In some cases, they extend their necks out while being touched or massaged  a sign that the animal wants to be rubbed some more.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_friendliest_tortoise\"><\/span>What is the friendliest tortoise?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>5 of the Best Pet Tortoises<\/b><\/p>\n<li>Mediterranean Spur-thighed tortoises. The Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) is a species that I can&#8217;t recommend highly enough.  <\/li>\n<li>Leopard tortoise.  <\/li>\n<li>Red-footed tortoise.  <\/li>\n<li>Indian Star tortoise.  <\/li>\n<li>African Spur-thighed tortoise.<\/li>\n<p>18-Sept-2015<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_tortoises_easy_to_take_care_of\"><\/span>Are tortoises easy to take care of?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>The Hermann&#8217;s Tortoise is docile and gentle with a great temperament for a beginner pet. Similar to other breeds, they enjoy leafy greens (like dandelions and kale) and will occasionally eat fruit. They are gentle and active tortoises who are great for any beginner.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_cruel_to_have_a_tortoise_as_a_pet\"><\/span>Is it cruel to have a tortoise as a pet?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Be warned. <b>A tortoise can be an exhausting and difficult pet  fearless and adventurous, with complex moods and needs, a will of iron, moves like greased lightening and the potential to cause intense anxiety.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_tortoise_should_not_be_kept_at_home\"><\/span>Why tortoise should not be kept at home?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Keeping a live tortoise at your house <b>creates negative vibrations as per Vastu. This is why it is not advisable to keep a live turtle at home. However, you can keep a tortoise made of crystal, wood, stone, or metal. If you want stability in relationships, don&#8217;t keep a single tortoise  keep them in a pair.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Does tortoise make good pets?Can tortoises be scared to death?Can you buy a tortoise in the UK?Can a tortoise survive on its own?Are tortoises good pets for beginners?Is a tortoise a good house pet?Is it cruel to keep a tortoise as a pet?Do pet tortoises like their owners?Can tortoises die from being&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-86623","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86623"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86623"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86623\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86623"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86623"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86623"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}