Tortoises for Sale

Uncle Bill's most popular species of Tortoises are the Red Foot Tortoise and the Russian Tortoise.  The Red Foot and Russian Tortoises greatly enjoy burrowing and exploring their environments.  They have a hard, dome-shaped outer shell and are meant for drier environments.  They also require being soaked in water on a weekly basis with water levels reaching no higher than the mid-point between the bottom and top of the tortoise’s shell.  A happy, healthy tortoise is very active, generally alert, has healthy-looking shell and skin, have bright, clear eyes, and a clean vent and nose.  These tortoises can grow up to 6—8” in length and can live up to an amazing 50 years or more!  Please call ahead to confirm the store location you'd like to visit has Tortoises for sale available.

Tortoise Diet

Red Foot and Russian Tortoises require a balanced diet that is high in fiber and calcium, low in protein and fat, and is mostly vegetarian.  They mainly eat dark, leafy, chopped vegetables and greens such as squash, carrots, and occasionally fruit for a treat.  They can also be fed commercial tortoise food, but only as a ¼ portion of their entire diet.  Fresh, de-chlorinated water should always be provided as well as calcium and multi-vitamin supplements.  

Tortoise Habitat

The habitat for a Red Foot and Russian Tortoise is to be at the very least a 36” by 12” indoor enclosure, or if outdoors it should be at least 48” squared.  A tight-fitting screen lid is necessary for sunlight and the walls should be high enough that the tortoise is unable to escape.  Outdoor walls should be buried at least 1’ deep into the ground as they may escape while digging.  Substrate for your tortoise must be edible as they do occasionally eat their substrate, such as alfalfa pellets.  It should be deep enough for the tortoise to burrow as it likes and should not be rough like sand or gravel which can damage the tortoise’s shell and skin.  Any habitat for these tortoises should be kept arid and dry with some shaded areas for thermoregulation.  A dehumidifier may be used for more humid climates, keeping humidity below 30%, and cooler climates may require an additional source of heat.  Red Foot and Russian Tortoises enjoy hiding sometimes, too, so include a cave or box lined with substrate for hiding.  Temperatures in the habitat should stay around 85°F in the warmer end and about 75°F in the cooler end.  Incandescent lighting or a ceramic heater is good heat sources.  These tortoises also need 12-14 hours of UVB light daily.  Same-species tortoises may be kept together, but different species are not to be housed together.  

Are Tortoises Right for Me?

These Tortoises can be handled regularly with gentleness and will grow to be tame. Not only can these tortoises become tame, they will also eventually be very friendly and outgoing.  The Red Foot or Russian Tortoise is a reptilian friend for life with its lengthy life span.  However, keep in mind that any reptile is capable of carrying diseases such as Salmonella, so always washing your hands after touching your pet or any of its habitat items/substances is a must.  For this reason, small children and pregnant women should not handle these pets or their associated items/substances.  If you are looking for an extremely friendly, outgoing, hypo-allergenic pet then the Red Foot or Russian Tortoise may be just right for you!  These tortoises are perfect for someone who likes a lifetime cold-blooded companion who can’t run away from home (at least not very quickly).  They are wonderful companions if you cannot have a dog or cat!

At Uncle Bill’s Pet Center, we not only offer Tortoises for sale, we also employ a highly trained staff that can assist you in building an appropriate habitat for your new pet, and educate you on the proper care of the animal—making sure you get the most out of your pet ownership adventure!