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Pets can be a serious commitment. Buying a tortoise for sale is no different. Tortoises can be low maintenance, but what they lack in labor and attention, they make up for in longevity. As long as you can provide the necessary heating and lighting it needs in its environment, as well as consistent nutrition, your tortoise can live for decades. In fact, the oldest pet tortoise was a 255 year old Aldabra tortoise. Her name was Adwaita and after outliving her owner, she spent the rest of her life in a zoo. We can imagine Adwaita’s owner gave her more than enough attention.
Your tortoise might not live to be this old, but tortoises do have a track record for living longer than the average pet. It is possible for your pet tortoise to outlive you but it’s not set in stone. If you’re not expecting to have the time and energy to dedicate to a new pet, it’s best to postpone purchasing that tortoise for sale you’ve had your eye on. If you do plan on making this a lifetime companion, then you will have to put in some effort in maintaining its habitat and helping it regulate its temperature.
Realistic Expectations For Any Tortoise For Sale
Although there isn’t a precise number on how long a tortoise for sale will live, it’s realistic to expect it to live well into its 40s. It wasn’t until recently, however, that the expected lifespan was so lengthy. Many decades ago, the needs of a tortoise were not as well documented. A poor diet and inadequate lighting meant these animals weren’t given a chance to thrive. Luckily today you can find enough information that will provide realistic expectations for owning a tortoise.
Count on purchasing a much smaller tortoise to begin with. But don’t be fooled by its cute, almost comical size. These animals will continue to grow over the years and will quickly outgrow a tiny enclosure. It will eventually graduate to an outdoor hutch, so you need to make sure you have enough space to keep one accessible to your tortoise. Get an idea of how much space you currently have and how much your tortoise needs. Remember that they like to burrow and will also need an area dedicated to hibernation.
Overall, it comes down to having an environment that they can thrive in. With the proper lighting and diet, your tortoise for sale will go from average pet to family member for decades to come.