Originally Posted by frogza

Tortoises can get big depending on the species, but it's easier to find tortoises that are smaller, 10" diameter or less. You'll want to look at ones that are either native to your area or an area with a similar climate to where you live.

If you describe your climate, I could make a recommendation.

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Atlanta has a humid subtropical climate, (Cfa) according to the Köppen classification, with hot, humid summers and mild, but occasionally chilly winters by the standards of the southern United States. July highs average 89 °F (32 °C) or above, and low average 71 °F (22 °C).[43] Infrequently, temperatures can even exceed 100 °F (38 °C). The highest temperature recorded in the city is 105 °F (41 °C), reached in July, 1980.[43] January is the coldest month, with an average high of 52 °F (11 °C), and low of 33 °F (1 °C).[43] Generally average lows are in the upper 20s and lower 30s in the north Georgia region. Warm fronts can bring springlike temperatures in the 60s (high teens) and 70s (low 20s) in winter, and Arctic air masses can drop temperatures into the single digits (around -15 C) as well. The coldest temperature ever recorded was −9 °F (−23 °C) in February 1899.[43] A close second was −8 °F (−22 °C), reached in January 1985.[43] Atlanta has a more temperate climate than other southern cities of the same latitude, due to its elevation (1,050 feet (320 m) above sea level).

Like the rest of the southeastern U.S., Atlanta receives abundant rainfall, which is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year. Average annual rainfall is 50.2 inches (1,275 mm).[44] An average year sees frost on 36 days; snowfall averages about 2 inches (5 cm) annually. The heaviest single storm brought 10 inches (25 cm) on January 23, 1940.[45] Blizzards are rare but possible; one hit in March 1993. Frequent ice storms can cause more problems than snow; the most severe such storm may have occurred on January 7, 1973.[46]