There are certain drawbacks when you do opt to get a small tortoise that is worth considering. One is simply that they are less safe for children and the other pets that you may have as children can be so excited that they mishandle and hurt a small tortoise. The tortoise may also be more at risk of damage due to a playful dog or cat as their shells are less resilient than larger tortoises. You may also find that you have more options with a larger tortoise as they can be less vulnerable to difficult weather conditions and the threat of predators. With a smaller tortoise, you will be expected to keep it indoors which can seem quite restricting. There is also the matter of price as mini tortoises, particularly Russian ones, can cost upwards of a hundred dollars. Then there are Egyptian tortoises which can cost upwards of a thousand dollars in some cases. Finally, larger tortoises may simply be easier to find than mini ones. Mini tortoises are considered exotic pets and it can prove quite difficult to find one at your local pet store. You may have to shop around and head to bigger pet stores or take your time to call up various ones to find one in stock.