Mar

4

What are the smallest pet tortoise available?

Filed Under Reptiles 

eyros2k asked:


Hello everyone. I’m looking to gather a size comparison of legal to acquire pet tortoises. Over all length and weight, the smaller the better. Pricing and availability are not factors. A top 5 would be good, top 10 would be phenomenal. Even if you don’t know of several, feel free to post your info on just one!
Egyptian tortoise are illegal to acquire due to their critically endangered status - aren’t they?

ELI

Comments

3 Responses to “What are the smallest pet tortoise available?”

  1. MYLES on March 6th, 2010 3:57 am

    JAYSON

    I’m more of a lizard person, but my little brother has a box turtle, and it’s only about…5-6 inches long, and 4-5 wide… they are pretty small. As for their weight, I’m not too sure…

    haha sorry if I wasn’t any help!

  2. SEYMOUR on March 7th, 2010 8:56 pm

    DEWEY

    on my experience an Egyptian tortoise would be the smallest tortoise i can think of, but they are quite a challenge and are very hard to find. a cherry headed red footed tortoise is a beginner tortoise and tend to grow to about 5-9 inches. Herman’s tortoise is also a small tortoise and grow to about 8-12 inches. i hope this helps you decide.

  3. LAMAR on March 8th, 2010 9:40 pm

    KENDRICK

    5″-
    Madagascar Flat Tailed Tortoise

    6″-
    Madagascar Spider Tortoise
    Geometric Tortoise
    Serrated Star Tortoise
    African Tent Tortoise
    Lobatse Hingeback Tortoise
    Natal Hinge-Backed Tortoise

    7″-
    Pancake Tortoise

    8″-
    Greek or Spur-Thighed Tortoise (This group has recently been restructured and includes many new species, like the Iberian)
    Hermann’s Tortoise
    Speke’s Hingeback Tortoise
    Home’s Hinge-Backed Tortoise
    Bowsprit Tortoise

    9″-
    Russian Tortoise

    (There are a couple Padloper species that are 4″, and Egyptians are about 6″, but as indicated, they are illegal for one reason or another. The Texas Tortoise is 8″ and is tricky legally.)

    Of this list, the only ones that make good pets for beginners are the Greeks and Hermann’s. Many of the tortoises here are considered difficult even for experts.

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