Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's the story. My girlfriend bought me a Baby Sulcata a while back. Awesome pet. Great personality. Everything I was looking for until I started researching the unexpected visitor and realized that there was no way I could care for the little guy properly. How they are even legally allowed to sell this animal in Michigan is a shame. Nobody in this state could possibly care for these animals properly. Anyway, I found a home for him with someone who lived in a much warmer climate and he's doing well there. Question: Is there any kind of tortoise that I could take care of properly in Michigan? He was great, but I won't compromise the health of an animal if I can't take care of it here.

If the reason you couldn't take care of the Sulcata was a question of space then any of the smaller tortoises such as the Greeks, Hermans, Russians, Redfoots,or the like, are all good choices.
If the reason you could not handle the sulcata was that you could not provide a proper environment, you might really consider a guppy or a goldfish as a pet.
Ed

Crickets make nice pets also, but torts are quieter!!

I'm assuming you mean a tortoise that you could maintain indoors during the cold months. Look into the Mediterranean tortoises (Testudo sp.) and Redfoots. You could build a tortoise table and maintain any of those inside for the winter, and have an outside pen for the summer. You'd have to research how humidity/summer rain would affect the different species before you make a decision, though.

Good luck and happy research!
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Sohni
(aka Jeannie, but other people have similar names, too confusing, so I switched)
0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa (Bella)
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake (Bess)
1.1 Rubber Boas (Esther & Isaiah)
1.0 Leopard Gecko (George)
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise (Moxie)
2.0 Adopted DSH Cats (Amos & Silas)
1.0 Rescued English Springer Spaniel (Jimmy)
and...
2.0 Kids (Riley & Noah) w/ 0.0.1 California King
Snake (Rex), 1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa (Lucas), 0.1
Leopard Gecko (Geico)
1.0 Husband (no pets, just us, lol)

I have 3 4year olds up in Boyne country, they are back outside tonight. Ive had them out all summer, had them in and out a little bit the past 2 weeks. I've kept them out in the 40's at nite w/out any problems. They are out right now it is supposed to get down in the low 40's. They never had any resp. problems. They are extremely hardy. On sunny days they are out in the 40's-50's. When you touch their shell they feel warm, the sun really heats them up. I've had them out in November and march on sunny mild days. They are tough buggers!!

Yes
Russians make great Michigan pets
Mine have been under my garage for the last week or so and I will not see them until spring.
They have been breeding and hibernating here for about 7 years or so, even the hatchling hibernate.
I nice surprise is when I see a hatchling I did not know about in the spring thaw.