Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My husband and I would like to get a baby tortoise, but cannot decide between my two favorites.. the sulcatta and the redfoot... I know the biggest difference is that the sulcatta gets much bigger.

Here are the facts: This will be our first tort ever, but not first reptile. We plan on building an outside pen for it, we live in Colorado where it can be pretty dry (although this year so far we are getting more rain than in the past) so obviously a tort can only be outside in the warmer months... and I worry about something that may need higher humidity all the time. I can supply a constantly humid hide, but am unsure if that is enough? I am very willing to take care of a large animal, however I know it's a daunting task to keep them housed and fed.

Any ideas or advice?

Thanks

Sarah
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FireDrake Exotics
www.FireAndLilac.com

my advice is as long as you are educated and devoted to providing a healthy life for the animal go with either one. niether one would survive in the climate you live in so it will be dependant on you.
I live in a similar climate (new england) and i've had a sulcata since 2002. he grows slow, because he is only outside for a couple months and I have to be prepared for him as he gets bigger but I have made that choice.
I also keep a red foot and also have accomodated him well with his needs. keep in mind that redfoots are not swamp torts they will live in the forest scrublands as well and can tolerate more than peopole think as far as humidity. search in this forum for more info

I also keep a greek and a baby leopard
hope this helps

I LOVE sulcatas but I am scared of it getting so big that it breaks things... I mean, I am willing to make a safe pen... but with a 150 pound creature... can I make it strong enough? But then I think.... how long does it take to get to be 150 pounds? Will it even get to be 150 pounds?

Maybe a redfoot is the way to go, just because of size... I can provide a humid hide... is that enough for one or does it need to be humid constantly... because Colorado is Semi-arid

Thanks

Sarah
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FireDrake Exotics
www.FireAndLilac.com

I agree with you definitely a Redfoot because it would be to hard to keep an Adult Sulcata indoors especially if its still active. Unless you have a really big house.

-Tony C

someone in here will disagree but I personally don't think it has to be humid all the time. the way I do it is seasonal, through the winters I keep the temp up and the humidity up be cause he is inside and I can controll the envirnment easier.

in the summers I put him out side and the humidity and the temps are on average less. he seems to do fine.

Hi,

Don't know if you will find this useful, but here are two links: one is to a picture of a young adult sulcata shown with a baby, and the other is to something called The Sulcata Reality check - it's a good idea to answer the questions before you decided on a sulcata.

Sulcata reality check

Sorry, the image didn't come through on the first posting - here it is:

Nina
Young adult and baby sulcata

very interesting link I read it over myself. I look forward to housing my herd in the future. I guess the only thing I would worry about it my kids not being able to take care of them after I pass on. I wouldn't want to burden them but our torts are part of our family. I never thought of the living will thing and I like the download of the will to fill out on this site.

What an excellent little quiz.

It just confirmed what I was already thinking... I would love one someday.. but right now they are not right for me.

Redfoot it is!

Thanks

Sarah
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FireDrake Exotics
www.FireAndLilac.com