l would not recommend a tortoise or a turtle as a pet if you have never had one before, as they are hard work to look after, and expensive to keep,lts not just giving them a piece of your garden, and the occasional lettuce leaf.They are very complex animals, which requires a lot of looking after if you want to keep it in good health.l know that for a fact, as l found a herman tortoise walking down the middle of the road, was unable to find its owner, so took it home.was shocked to find out how much work it is to look after it.Saying that, lve had him for 3years now, and would not part with him for the world, very friendly.