Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone

I want to get a baby sulcata, but researching on their food I see a lot of difficult things to get, like buffalo grass and cactus...can someone tell me where do you bought or get the food for your sulcata
Thanks
Manuel Cantu

Here is a link for an excellent web article about sulcata care. Read everything! There is a special section about diet and links to where you can get the types of exotic foods you are speaking of, though most of their diet you could probably get locally. 75-90 percent of their diet should consist of grazing greens like alfalfa hay, grasses, weeds, etc. Some of these you can collect from your yard as long as it is untreated and pesticide free. Like the article says, a sulcata's diet should be treated much like that of a grazing animal like a cow or horse. Also offer fruits as a treat only very occasionally. Sulcatas' digestive systems were built to handle fiber like you would find in hay, etc., not the high sugar content of fruit. Hope this helps.

-JG

Thanks a lot for the info, Im more motivated now. Can you put the link again, I think the last time it didn't work. Thanks again
Manuel Cantu

Sorry about that! Here ya go. On another note, do you own other tortoises at the current time? And what region do you live in? While making plans for a Sulcata just remember an adult tortoise which can weigh 150-200 lbs (the 3rd largest of all tortoise species) will require an outdoor enclosure of around 12 ft X 20 ft or larger and a heated shed to come in at night and/or during cool weather.

http://home.earthlink.net/~rednine/sulcatacare.html

and

http://www.sulcata-station.org/index.html

Just to correct myself, I said "only offer fruits very occasionally", then went on to say how their digestive system was not built for high sugar content. Disregard that statement, it was a momentary relapse, or maybe just zoning out, haha. I meant do not offer fruits. There...that statement goes much better with the reasoning why not to.

Actually -- Do NOT offer fruit at all at anytime. Even for a treat. Cactus fruit is a good fruit treat but others are not good. It is just better to offer nothing like this. Believe me Sulcata will come running for cactus pad or a bit of cactus fruit just as readily as for a banana or strawberry so why bother feeding them those things if they are really unhealthy for them?

Trust me we get enough sulcata into our rescue at a regular basis where the little treat of fruit turns out to be once every other day and then before you know it the animal's health is compromised as a result of it.

Steve

Check my next post. Always good to read all posts before replying. You just may find the answer...

OOPS my apologies. I did read that post as well and I guess I zoned on the last part that said DO NOT. GOOD that you said that. Too often folks think these treats are okay and they really are not.

Steve

Hi
Thanks a lot for the links and the info they help me a lot. I have a Saharan Uromastyx, and 2 Nelson Milksnakes, not currently on tortoises but very interested on keeping one. I live in Mexico, in the border with Texas, so here is very very HOT. And I had space for it when it gets very big.

Thanks
Manuel Cantu

Sounds great! That is an excellent region to keep sulcatas. You will find them to be a very personable and rewarding tortoise. Good luck!

-JG