Buying a new tortoise means you’ll have to buy a lot of different things, including the actual animal and everything necessary for her care and maintenance. And unfortunately, none of these things are free. This leaves many prospective keepers wondering what kind of costs they’ll incur.
In this article, I’ll be helping you to unravel the true costs of tortoise ownership, from buying your new pet to keeping her healthy over the coming decades.
Pet Tortoise Costs Vary
At the outset, it is important to note that the costs associated with tortoise ownership vary significantly based on a variety of factors. Some of the most noteworthy include:
- Your location. While many tortoises and tortoise supplies are sold by national retailers and are therefore priced similarly for everyone, you’ll also need to purchase some things locally. These expenses will vary, depending on your location. Typically, those living in areas with a high cost of living will pay more than keepers living in areas with a low cost of living. This is especially true of veterinary services.
- The species of tortoise you select. Different tortoise species (and individuals) cost more than others. You may be able to find a wild-caught Russian tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) or less than $50 at a local reptile expo, while an Aldabra tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) may set you back nearly $8,000. Additionally, the costs associated with the care of different tortoises will differ, with larger species generally costing much more than smaller species.
- The manner in which you plan to house your tortoise. You may be able to make a DIY tortoise enclosure for very little money – particularly if you already have a large storage container or the supplies to construct an outdoor enclosure on hand. Conversely, large plastic reptile cages can cost thousands of dollars. Similarly, the overall size of your pet’s enclosure will influence her cost of care greatly, with large enclosures costing many times as much as small ones do.
- The amount of veterinary care your pet requires. Captive-bred tortoises often remain healthier than their wild-caught counterparts, and this can have a significant impact on the amount of money you spend. Wild-caught tortoises are often cheaper to purchase, but you’ll often find it necessary to spend enough on veterinary care to offset any savings (assuming your tortoise even survives – many wild-caught tortoises die despite the veterinary care they’re provided).
Given these factors, it is important to understand that the costs outlined below can vary. Accordingly, prospective keepers should consider the specifics of their situation and the tortoise they intend to purchase.
Buying Your Pet
Pet tortoises vary significantly in terms of cost. The most affordable options will typically cost about $50, while the most expensive tortoises available may cost tens of thousands of dollars. Generally speaking, the following factors are the most important in determining the cost of an individual animal:
- Species: Readily available species, including Russian, red-footed (Chelonoidis carbonarius), and sulcata tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata), are generally quite affordable. Rare species, such as Galapagos (Chelonoidis niger) and radiated tortoises (Astrochelys radiata), are at the opposite end of the price spectrum.
- Sex: Although it is not always the case, female tortoises – which are in higher demand by breeders – are often more expensive than males.
- Age/Size: As a rule of thumb, larger or older tortoises generally cost more (occasionally much, much more) than hatchlings.
Additionally, the source of your tortoise will influence the amount you pay for her. For example, prestigious breeders are often able to charge higher prices than small retailers or breeders who’ve yet to establish a reputation.
Tortoise Enclosures Costs
There are a variety of enclosure types that work for tortoises, ranging from DIY, custom-built enclosures to commercially manufactured plastic reptile cages to tortoise tables. There are even many low-cost items (such as children’s swimming pools) that you can re-purpose and use for a tortoise enclosure.
Basic price ranges for the different types of tortoise enclosures are:
- Commercial Reptile Cages: You can find small plastic reptile cages for less than $100, but these enclosures are rarely large enough to maintain a tortoise for very long. More reasonably sized options generally cost about $300.
- Tortoise Tables: Tortoise tables are relatively affordable, though they’re not available in sizes large enough for adults of many species. While prices vary based on size and features, low-priced models generally start at about $60.
- DIY Tortoise Enclosures: Because of the endless number of ways in which custom-built enclosures vary, their costs vary wildly. You may be able to construct a no-frills enclosure for nearly free if you have some materials on hand already, or you could end up spending tens of thousands of dollars on a gigantic, concrete-walled enclosure for a large species.
- Stock Tanks: Small stock tanks are available for $20 to $40, but larger models (suitable for small adult tortoise species) are usually about $200 to $250.
- Repurposed Items: The price of these will vary, with small storage boxes and children’s swimming pools generally starting at about $10.
Lighting, Heating, and Other Environmental Costs of Tortoise Ownership
There are several different ways you can provide your tortoise with appropriate light and temperatures, so it is very difficult to provide broadly accurate cost estimates – there are simply too many variables at play.
Some keepers may utilize mercury vapor bulbs to provide light and heat, while others utilize fluorescent tubes for their pet’s light needs and a radiant heat panel to keep the temperatures appropriate. For that matter, a small hatchling tortoise enclosure may only need a single mercury vapor bulb, while an enormous, room-sized enclosure for adult tortoises may require half a dozen. Meanwhile, outdoor-reared tortoises may not need these devices at all.
So, while the overall costs of lighting and heating devices will vary, the following represent typical price ranges for various types of equipment:
- Heat Lamps: Though the price varies with size and quality, the most affordable options are available for $5 to $7.
- Mercury Vapor Bulbs: The most affordable options generally start at about $20, but high-quality alternatives can cost more than twice as much.
- Radiant Heat Panels: Small radiant heat panels are usually about $80, though the prices associated with these devices vary significantly.
- Fluorescent Lights: Compact fluorescent bulbs that produce UVA and UVB usually start at about $12, though once again, you can spend twice or thrice as much on high-quality options.
- Thermometer: You’ll also need at least one thermometer, with budget-priced models generally costing approximately $10.
Substrate and Enclosure Furniture
The things that go inside your tortoise’s habitat are far more affordable than her enclosure, lighting, and heating devices, but they still represent costs you’ll incur when caring for your pet.
- Substrate: Substrate costs will vary based on the size of your enclosure and whether or not you are maintaining your tortoise outdoors (outdoor enclosures often rely on the existing soil or grass). There are multiple substrate options available for indoor enclosures, and most commercial options cost about $2 per quart.
- Hides: There are a variety of low-cost hide options, including cardboard boxes (though they’ll need to be discarded and replaced often) and plastic storage boxes with a “door” cut into the side. However, many keepers like using cork bark, which is much more attractive. Cork bark is rather expensive, with large tubes costing almost $30.
- Food and Water Dishes: Typical reptile food and water dishes start at about $10 each (larger sizes are more expensive), but there are also myriad even more affordable options, including plastic plant saucers, which cost only a few dollars.
Bear in mind that you’ll need to replace these items from time to time. For example, many substrates will need to be replaced every few months or so. Food dishes and hides are more durable, but they’ll still end up wearing out or becoming damaged over the years.
On-Going Costs
Some of the costs associated with tortoise care are on-going in nature, meaning that you’ll have to account for these expenses for the life of your pet (which may stretch for decades). Food costs and veterinary expenses are the most significant such costs, so that’s what we’ll focus on here.
Food Costs
Hatchling tortoises don’t eat much, so the costs associated with feeding them are generally negligible. You can purchase a bunch of cilantro, a carrot, and a cucumber – likely enough food for a week – for a few dollars.
By contrast, an adult sulcata’s diet will require several collard green bunches, a dozen carrots, and some cactus pads each week. This could represent $20 or more in costs, which you’ll incur on a week-in, week-out basis.
It is worth noting that you can grow some tortoise foods – including many grasses, weeds, and flowers – at home, thereby reducing your feeding costs.
Veterinary Costs
The costs associated with veterinary care can vary by several orders of magnitude, depending on many factors.
For example, if you live in a low-cost-of-living region, find a relatively affordable veterinarian, and have a generally healthy tortoise, your annual costs may be pretty modest. You may only spend $50 to $100 per year for a wellness check.
On the other hand, if you live in a high-cost-of-living region and find that your tortoise is constantly battling respiratory infections or parasite infestations, you could end up needing to visit the veterinarian several times per year, at a cost of $200 or more per visit.
But these costs would pale in comparison to the costs associated with some types of emergency care. For example, should your tortoise become egg bound, experience an intestinal blockage, or suffer an accident that leaves her with a cracked shell, you may find yourself facing $5,000 or $10,000 worth of medical expenses.
Citations
- TortoiseForum.com – Discussion Board
- Morphmarket.com – Animals for Sale
