Where to Order Tortoise OnlineThe best place to buy tortoise online is through a reptile store that specialises in these animals. They can help you find the right tortoise for your needs, and advise on habitats, lighting, heat, humidity requirements and other accessories that are required.Tortoises are long-lived animals that can live for up to 100 years. These fascinating creatures require a lot care.How to Choose a TortoiseIf you are looking to purchase a tortoise through the internet, make sure the seller is reliable and sells captive-bred animals. Reptiles that are bred in a captive environment are less likely to get sick, since they have been raised in the right conditions. They're also generally healthier and more social than tortoises that come from the wild.Also take note of the time you will devote to taking care of your pet. Tortoises can live for up to 80 years in captivity. Do you have someone who can care for your tortoise if you can no longer provide it with the needed care?Purchasing from a local tortoise breeder can allow you to observe the tortoise's behavior in person and assess its health. A well-cared for tortoise is alert and healthy in its body weight. The shell of the tortoise should not have any cracks, bruising or other damages. Its plastron should be able to hold a bit of spring (though do not press a baby tortoise, as it can cause stress for tortoises). Legs should be strong and muscular. The skin, the eyes and the vent must be clear of discharge.Request a certificate in accordance with Article 10 before purchasing a tortoise. This is a document the seller must sign to prove that the tortoise has been microchipped and issued an ID number. In the US it is a requirement to have this form before selling any tortoise.It is recommended that you take your tortoise pet to a veterinarian who is familiar with tortoises and is a specialist in exotic animals. The vet will check the tortoise for signs like parasites, disease and other issues. He or she may recommend an fecal examination and blood tests, especially when the tortoise is brought in illegally or from a different country. A fecal test can reveal the presence of Salmonella bacteria which poses a risk to tortoises and humans. order tortoise online will also conduct an examination of the general area and determine the tortoise's age. In the US, hatchlings and young tortoises are sold when they attain 4 inches in length. This is to distinguish males from females.Tortoise CareTortoises are long-lived creatures that need special care. You should think about your ability to care for tortoises before purchasing one online. This is especially true if you're looking for an exotic tortoise that can't be found in pet stores. Tortoises that are imported from their home countries are more at chance of suffering from illness and injury during transport. The purchase of captive-bred tortoises reduces the risk.You'll also need to consider the amount of space you have available for a tortoise enclosure. African spurred tortoises Leopard tortoises, and Burmese mountain tortoises require plenty of space to roam and graze. These species cannot thrive in a small space. The Russian, Hingeback, and Mediterranean tortoises are smaller and are better suited to homes with small outdoor spaces.Make sure you have a big enough habitat to house your tortoise, including reptile carpet or a substrate that is comfortable for the tortoise to lay on. It's important that the habitat has an area for hiding and a water dish that is shallow. Tortoises soak to stay hydrated, clean their bodies and feces. A minimum of three baths per week, lasting between 10 and 15 minutes, should be offered. Soaking dishes should be slender and constructed from an material that allows the tortoise to easily enter and exit without drowning. To prevent bacterial infections, dishes that soak in water should be cleaned daily.Other items you'll need include the daytime UVB fixture and bulb as well as a nighttime bulb or ceramic heat emitter, a hygrometer, a spray bottle to mist, an automatic fogger, a terrarium thermometer and an vivarium lighting. Additionally, you'll require food dish as well as water dish that is shallow and tortoise food.A tortoise enclosure that's decorated with lots of ornaments is another option to give it personal touches. You can decorate the enclosure with rocks and plants that are safe for your tortoise to consume. Make sure your pet has an area that is warm in the enclosure for relaxing and cool with an enclosure with a cave or hide box to seek shelter.It is important to let your pet tortoise learn to trust and accept you first before you handle it often. A lot of handling can cause undue stress, which is bad for tortoises. It is also essential to have someone to care for your tortoise in the event that you aren't able to be around. This person should be able to follow your tortoise's instructions on care precisely and be aware of when to call an animal vet.Tortoise FeedingThe tortoise feeding needs of a specific species vary hugely however all tortoises require a diverse diet and adequate amounts of both calcium and UV-B. This doesn't necessarily refer to a grocery salad but rather a mixed variety of palatable and nutrient-rich plants that tortoises would encounter in the wild. The tortoise is supposed to graze and browse daily, but only during daylight hours or after it has been laid to rest for the night. Tortoises that maintain a regular feeding pattern throughout the year exhibit a terribly high rate of metabolic bone disease. (See the article from last year entitled "Tortoise Shells and Deformities: A Perspective from Inside").The food should be provided in a suitable shallow dish, and should never be left uncooked for too long because this can lead to decay and pose health risks. During the time of grazing the tortoise needs to be fed as much food as it can consume in 20 minutes. This allows the tortoise consume food without placing too much stress on its jaws. This also keeps the 'beak' located in front of the tortoise from growing too large.Certain species require a fruit-based component to their diet. This is especially important for rainforest species such as Red-footed and Yellow-footed Tortoises. Fruits should only be served in small amounts, and not more than twice per day. They must also be cleaned to get rid of any contaminants, like pesticides, or other chemicals that may be present in the flesh or on the skin of the fruit.A variety of fruit can be provided to a tortoise, although it is best avoided if a tortoise is prone to diarrhoea. It is also recommended to avoid foods that are high in goitrogens or oxalic acids. Oxalic acid is known to bind with calcium and hinder its absorption, whereas goitrogens can interfere with thyroid function. In the same way, many of the cruciferous vegetables that are often recommended as part of a tortoise's diet such as collard greens, turnips, mustard and bokchoy - can be extremely high in Oxalic acid.Tortoise HealthIt is crucial to make sure you purchase a tortoise from a seller familiar with the species. A reptile store or a person at a reptile exhibition or show are excellent choices, since they are able to give you the best advice on taking care of your new pet. They will also be able to provide you with the right equipment, like an enclosure for tortoises. They will be able to answer any questions and be able to recognize signs of disease. This is a better choice than buying a tortoise at a large pet shop because it may be fighting other animals in a small aquarium, which can cause stress and damage to their shell.Tortoises are able to live for as long as 50 years. It is essential to plan for their care and provide them with the best possible home to enjoy their life. The main factor in this is a healthy diet, shelter and the environment.If your tortoise is sick, you must consult a vet who is experienced with exotic animals. Going to a vet who is not experienced with tortoises could have disastrous outcomes.A tortoise's illness is identified by swelling of the neck and limbs, difficulties in moving, a loss of appetite, or an excessive amount of fecal excretions. These symptoms indicate problems with the digestive system the kidneys, liver or intestines and should be treated immediately by an animal vet.Swelling of the neck or limbs in a tortoise may be caused by difficulty digesting food, insect bites, parasitic infections, toxin buildup, constipation or an amalgamation of these conditions. Soaking the tortoise in tepid water for 30 minutes in a water bath, with the level just covering its plastron (bottom shell) is usually enough to relieve this condition. It is also possible to treat this problem by increasing the tortoise's fiber intake, by adding dandelion roots 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) clear of the ground. It can also dig easily and climb with ease.