Any other tortoise owners?

[BCDWYO]

I was out taking a few gun photos this evening and this nosy little devil kept pestering me so I put the macro setting to good use. Coco is a Leopard Tortoise. He is pretty social and ornery. Chases the dogs relentlessly. Humps your foot if you stand still long enough (poor lonely *******). He's about 5 years old so hopefully he'll grow out of that behavior? No doubt he'll outlive me and probably my kids. Quite a few people around here have Desert Tortoises or Sulcatas, but the Leopards are a little more rare. Here's a couple pics. Marshall just recently got brave enough to grab him and you can see his pride!:

 

[5-Shot]

I've never to put a link in here so I hope this works.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=186603724690776

Ed

 

[flundertaker]

How does one contain and care for a tortoise ? Can you leave it loose in a fenced yard? Will it run away?

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[Rollis]

At the local gun club last week the natives were very active.

 

[kozmic]

We have Russian Tortoises. They hibernate from early Nov. 'til early March. They stay out in a fenced enclosure when it's nice out or in a large crate inside when it's colder or rainy outside.

 

[Mickey D]

This thread is a bit slow.

 

[shouldazagged]

"Run away" is not quite the phrase I would have chosen.

Reminded me of a cartoon I saw several ago. Two snails have collided, one is on its side, and the other is telling a police snail, "I don't know, officer, it all happened so fast!"

 

[BCDWYO]

How does one contain and care for a tortoise ? Can you leave it loose in a fenced yard? Will it run away?

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Depends a little on the type. I'm no expert in general, but I know the Sulcatas (2nd largest species behind Galapagos I think) are very strong and destructive and can really tear up a yard, knock down fences and burrow under others. Lots of people end up getting rid of them once they realize what is involved. The Leopards are nice since they don't really dig much and they don't get as big and strong. We leave Coco loose in the yard. He eats mostly grass but loves fruits and veggies as treats. Most tortoises are warm climate species so obviously we have an advantage here in AZ. In cooler climates you would need some sort of heated pen in the winter I suspect.

 

[islamoradamark]

great pictures of tortoise the one posted taking the ball from the dog is a hoot. we have a fla box turtle i found in the middle of the highway upside down he got hit by a car i guess we have had him for about 30 years they dont get that big

 

[Rule3]

We have these "Dudes" Gopher Tortoise. You are no allowed to mess with them at all. Protected. Some of the barrier Islands have lots of them, Also not allowed to keep the common box turtles. We always stop if we see one crossing the road and try to scoot it to safety. They get mashed.