Know Where to Buy Tortoise
If you want to buy a tortoise, the best places to look are reputable captive breeders, specialist reptile shops and tortoise rescues. Tortoises have become popular pets, so they are easier to find than ever, but it is important to buy a healthy, legally bred animal and to be sure you are ready for a pet that may outlive you.
Choosing the Right Tortoise Species
Before you buy, decide exactly which species you want, and choose one whose needs you can actually meet. Think about:
- Adult size: some tortoises stay under 8 inches, while others grow to over 2 feet and need a whole yard.
- Climate: some species need warm, dry conditions, others warm and humid ones. Your local weather and your home will make some species much easier than others.
- Diet and costs: heating, UVB lighting, food and vet visits all add up over the years.
- Lifespan: many tortoises live 50 years or more.
Your experience matters too. If you are a beginner, choose a species known to be hardy and manageable. Russian tortoises, for example, stay fairly small and cope with a wider range of temperatures than many tropical species, which is why they are often suggested for first-time keepers.
Other species are best left to experts. The Indian star tortoise, for example, is delicate in captivity and is now strongly protected, with international trade in the species banned. Avoid any seller offering rare or protected species without clear legal paperwork.
Check the Law First
Rules about owning and selling tortoises differ from country to country, and sometimes between states or regions. Some species need permits or documents proving they were captive bred. Check the rules where you live before you buy, and always ask the seller for any paperwork your species needs.
Buying a Tortoise From a Breeder
Breeders are people who raise tortoises, either as a hobby or a business. Buying from a good breeder has several advantages:
- You know the tortoise was captive bred, not taken from the wild.
- Captive-bred tortoises are usually healthier and less stressed than wild-caught ones.
- A good breeder can tell you the hatch date and parents, and give you one-on-one care advice.
- Prices are often fair, because there is no middleman.
Reptile shows and keeper clubs are good places to meet breeders in person. A responsible breeder will happily answer your questions and may even ask you some, to be sure the tortoise is going to a good home.
Buying a Tortoise Online
Many breeders and reptile businesses sell tortoises online and ship them to buyers. This can work well, but do your homework first. Look for sellers with good independent reviews, clear information about where their animals come from, a live-arrival guarantee and safe shipping methods that protect the tortoise from heat and cold.
Be cautious of very low prices, sellers who will not answer questions, or anyone offering lots of wild-caught or rare animals.
Buying From Pet Shops
Pet shops vary a lot. Some specialist reptile shops have knowledgeable staff and source their tortoises from good breeders. Others may have tortoises of unknown origin, kept in poor conditions, and staff who know little about their needs.
If you buy from a shop, ask where the tortoise came from, look carefully at how the animals are housed, and be wary of being sold expensive equipment you do not need. Research the right setup for your species first so you know what to buy.
Consider Adopting a Tortoise
Because tortoises live so long and some grow so large, many end up needing new homes. Tortoise rescues and reptile societies often have tortoises available for adoption, and they will usually give you plenty of help and advice.
How to Spot a Healthy Tortoise
Whoever you buy from, check the tortoise carefully before you take it home. A healthy tortoise should have:
- Clear, bright eyes with no swelling or discharge
- A clean nose with no bubbles or runny mucus
- A hard, smooth shell without soft spots, deep pits or lumpy pyramid shapes
- A good weight that feels solid for its size
- Alert, active behavior and a healthy appetite
Once you get your new tortoise home, book a check-up with a vet who treats reptiles. And remember to wash your hands after handling any tortoise, because reptiles can carry Salmonella germs.
Randi Jones is the owner and founder of the Nature Gift Store, an online retailer specializing in nature-themed gifts, educational science projects, live animal nature kits and real butterfly artwork. A biology graduate who fell in love with insects, she founded the company in 2001 to make active learning about nature fun, accessible and engaging for children and adults. Her store offers real butterfly frames, home and garden decor and educational live animal kits, including ant farms, worm farms, tadpoles, ladybugs and hermit crabs, and she runs a bug museum in Washington featuring live animals like Eddie the Iguana alongside other reptiles and insects.
