Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,
ihave been keeping box turtles, red eared sliders, and snappers since i was a little kid, but have always wanted a sulcatta. I only have snakes right now but i was thinking of getting a sulcatta.
I have a few questions before i purchase one. First off, where i a good place online to read about them as far a care, housing feeding etc.
Second, what is the best place online to purchase one. I really dont care about price because i would much rather spend a little more money and buy one from a reputable beeder/dealer than go the cheap way and buy one from someone who doesn back up their sale. Thankyou very much for any info anyone could give me.

Anthony
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"Come and take a litte walk with me baby and tell me Who Do You Love"

Best site is:

www.sulcata-station.com

There are so many breeders I'd pick one close to where you live, that way you can go a see them, talk to the breeder, and pick one for yourself.

Before you get a sulcata. Where do you live? If it is not a place that the animal could spend the bulk of it's time outside in just a few years you could find yourself in a real mess with a large tortoise. Very few people are willing to go to the time, trouble and expense that Nikki here on this forum, has for Teddy (her sulcata) to keep him someplace where it gets cooler than they like.

Go to www.Turtlehomes.org and go to the "Sulcata Reality Check" section. That will give you a great idea of what you are up against.

For what it is worth if you if you find that it might not be right for you don't feel bad. There are lots of tortoise that still get "big enough" and are really cool to have.

Sulcata are my one of my favorites but I just couldn't have one for very long in New York. I have a yellow foot and two redfoot tortoises and they are great. Easy to manage and big enough to a considered a nice sized tort without being a monsterous thing to keep in your house.

Good luck with research.

I gotta disagree here. The majority of the people who buy sulcatas are willing to go to great extremes for their animals regardless of where they are located. If you consider the # of sulcatas that are bought in NY area and the # that show up on the doorstep of TH, I'd be willing to bet that is a very small fraction that have to be rehomed.
By all means present the facts and then let the person who is interested in a Sulcata decide if that tortoise is right for them or not.
But then I guess everyone is entitled to an opinion... no?
Ed

Absolutely Ed. I am not knocking anyone who wants to buy one anywhere in the U.S. I just think everyone needs to understand fully what it is they are getting into.

As far as numbers showing up on TH's doorstep you would be surprised. I suspect that country wide there are alot that end up being unwanted too. I am not trying to over dramatise and call anyone who sells a sulcata and evil wrongdoer (they're not) but I wouldn't just brush off the unwanted animal issue as virtually non-existent or small either.
True not everyone gets rid of theirs but I think it takes a pretty devoted person in a climate like New York to take on a sulcata for life. (which will be longer than the person who buys one!!). Hell for that matter I have drooled over your gorgeous Aldabras time and time again only realize how impossible a task THAT would be.

Another factor that we have no record of is how many JERKS get these animals and don't take care of them and end up killing them. Some idiots even dump their sulcata's on Long Island thinking that they will be able to run free and survive.

Personally I love 'em. They are cute, friendly and responsive but again more than I would be able to handle. Not really interested in having something that eats like a horse and therefor "processes" like one as well living in my house at 100lbs for six months out of the year.

I think there is a tortoise for everyone in this country that wants one. You really do have to do your homework though so you know what YOU individually are capable of dealing with AND are able to give the best life too. If that is a sulcata -- I say go for it.

I raise parrots (have for many years) Folks come by wanting to get a macaw or an amazon parrot that have never had a parrot before. Most of them take one look and see that huge beak reaching over to grasp their arm and climb on and end up leaving with a cockatiel. Ya just need to know As much as possible BEFORE purchasing.

PS -- Do you still have any of those nice cherry head redfoots? Now those are torts I can live with??

NP

I thought for sure I was going to get my head bit off on that one. I gotta stay away from the computer when I'm angry but the point would have been the same but I would have tried to phrase it nicer.
Needless to say, I see your point and it is a very valid one.
Ed

Ed I am very involved with turtlehomes and see a lot of stuff that would really make you want to go out and strangle some folks. (I am sure you could write a book on it as well!!) Key word SOME folks not ALL folks. I have a bunch of decrepid damaged sliders in large tubs now that I am trying to mend. (any sulcata situation is dwarfed by the slider thing).

Still I am not one to blanketly condemn everyone who wants any particular type of animal. All that this work with TH (as well as years of bird breeding) has taught me is DO YOUR HOMEWORK. This way you will never find yourself in position where caring folks who do rescue want to string you up!! Learn and buy your animals from reputable people who are willing to give you pros and cons about the animal husbandry and know the animal they are selling. (preaching to the choir I know)

I think many rescues need to do more outreach than condemnation.
This way many folks could make better decisions about the animals they decide to keep AND those who have them already might want to make a conscious effort to keep them and treat them better.

I am a big fan of meeting in the middle for a common goal. (it does not happen too often in this arena or any otherfor that matter) but it is the best way for everyone to win.

Guess I am a big fan of typing too much too. Sorry!

Ed,

I'm thinking the "small number" being turned into Turtle Homes has something more to do with the number of hatchlings that die in the first couple of years than the number of "quality" sulcata purchasers.

Katrina

Not all hatchlings are meant to survive. I seem to remember that one hatchling in 7 CLUTCHES make it to adult in the wild and I wouldn't be surprised if it was less than that. I do realize that these are not in the wild but if you consider the genetics and the mix that is thrown in, I'll bet there are a great deal of bad genes that get set into motion. Evironment and husbandry might play an equal part but I'll bet there are many unknowns. So, even with good environment and husbandy many are destined to die no matter what you do.
Ed

Why not consider adoption? Your local or regionl herp society or turtle and tortoise society may have an adoptions program. Hell, for that matter, some animal control facilities get them in. Not all reptile rescues will adopt to colder climates, but some will. Help save a life - consider adoption.

Katrina

It blows my mind how anyone would pay for a Sulcata. Regardless of where you live in the US there are Turtle/Tortoise clubs who always (not a stretch there) have Sulcatas. Some are not very nice looking but then looks aren't everything. The majority of the ones I've seen are no worse and sometimes better than what you see for sale.
Ed