As a prospective owner, the most important tortoise facts should deal with the necessary checklist to assess the suitability of the animal you are considering.Having decided to purchase an exotic pet that you do not know too much about, you may need to investigate what passes for a healthy specimen.
In the case of tortoises, there are a number of factors to look at. As with most pets, the eyes are often a good indicator of temperament. If the eyes are clear and alert, the animal would appear to be in good spirit. While looking at the face, also pay attention to the nose and the mouth. In a healthy tortoise, the nose is dry and the tongue pink. There are no wheezing, sneezing or breathing problems and no bubbling of saliva. Bubbling is a symptom of Runny Nose Syndrome, a fairly common affliction that will need veterinary care and can recur, once a tortoise has contracted it. The popular leopard tortoises are particularly prone to it.
Check that the tortoise is active. Watch how it walks and make sure that it stands fairly high on its legs and does not drag the plastron across the floor. Pinch a back leg to see how quickly it responds by pulling it into the shell.
The shell should be firm and not soft or spongy if the tortoise is older than one month. There should be no cracks or signs of other damage. Check the legs, neck and head for wounds or lumps. Pay special attention to the area around the ears.
The tail area should be clean with no worms evident. A tortoise that is not dewormed can develop intestinal complications, either blockages or perforation of the intestinal tract.
Also examine the certificates and determine the place of origin. If your tortoise is micro chipped, have a vet verify that it is the same animal being represented. If buying from a breeder, ask to view the animal’s parents.
When choosing a tortoise, educate yourself on the breed-specific requirements of the pet you settle on. Find out the contact details of the nearest vet that deals with tortoises in your area. If this is not your first tortoise, do not immediately place the new arrival in the same area as the others. Quarantine it separately for up to six months. Tortoises are slow to show symptoms of disease and you would not want to expose your other pets to a condition of which the new tortoise is a carrier.
Having brushed up your knowledge base on tortoise facts, your new pet should provide you with many years of pleasure.