Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello All!

My parents have a sulcata, and live in WI. Currently she is about 5 or so, and is about 12-16 inches across the short side of her back. She has been given the 4 season room which is about 12ft x 15ft (well she does share it with the dog sometimes. ). She has a kiddie pool that she can go in and out of with substrate and basking lights at one end of the room, and this is also where we feed her. Currently she does not have an outside pen, we just take her out to graze when we are outside and can watch her.

I am curious how other people in the northern regions have adapted their homes to housing a sulcata. Particularly since 9 out of 12 months it is too cold for them to really be outside.

I look forward to hearing from all of you!

Elizabeth

ps - No rants please, I recognize that these tortoises are better suited to southern states, but we rescued her and have become quite attached to her.

Well to be honest,

From what I see most do not go the extra mile like you. Most of the sulcatas I see are not in good condition often kept on newspaper in glass tanks.

I will be getting in a 10lb and a 2 lb sulcata in april and we are currently constructing a pen for them. They will be offered plenty of digable substrate, however they will only get outside for that short period of time.

I have offered all my torts addition UV lighting so I do hope that helps. Once the temps are over 60 they do start going outside. Hopefully my Russian will be out this week. If I currently had the sulcatas I would probably take them out as well for short periods of time.

BTW I am also located in WI. Milwaukee right by the lake.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

As long as you let her out for regular intervals to graze and wander a bit (supervised as you said) and tolerate the mess and all that you have with keeping this larger animal indoors (which you seem to coping with) then she is fine. However, (and this is not gonna be rant I promise ) you might want to consider building her something secure outdoors so that you can leave her out for longer intervals in the warmer the months without having to supervise. All that nice fresh air and natural sunshine will do a world of good for her.

Wishing you continued success with your big buddy.

Steve