Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thanks!!!!

J.L.

This is a question that has a lot of "what if's" behind it. If your looking for the easiest, hands down a Sulcata. But they happend to be the biggest. If your looking for a happy median of both size and care, Russians, and Hermanns, all stay pretty small, and are fairly easy to care for. The price is high on some of them, but nearly as much for say an Aldabra, or a Star.

Yeah, I really like the Sulcatas(sp?) and Greeks. I'm glad you say Sulcatas are easy because that was what I was leaning towards. But I have a quick question: Can they live the winter inside the house, with free roam in a room? Because I don't wanna freeze them outside, cause it does get cold in the winter, but I don't want a big pen inside the house.

J.L.

Although sulcata hatchlings are cute and tiny and will easily fit in the palm of your hand, they will grow up and grow big -- in fact, sulcata are the third largest species of tortoises in the world. Only Galapagos and Aldabra tortoises get bigger!
According to sulcata keepers who we've talked with, you can expect an adult sulcata to reach at least 18 inches (45 cm) in shell length, and 70 to 100 pounds (30 to 45 kg) in weight. And if your tortoise turns out to be the chelonian equivalent of Shaquille O'Neal, it might reach 24 to 30 inches (60 to 76 cm) in shell length, and around 150 lbs. (68 kg) in weight
Sulcatas get big. They get big fast. Sulcatas are not appropriate pets for anyone living in a house without a yard. They are completely unsuited for anyone living in an apartment. Many buyers of large reptiles believe that they can keep them for a few years until they get "too big" and then sell them or give them to a zoo. Surprises are in store for such owners when they find that zoos aren't interested (having more than enough former pets and regular zoo stock already) and people who are buying them are interested only in small ones. There are many wonderful tortoises out there more suited to smaller homes and yards, tortoises that do not require kidney belts and hernia repair to pick up and move them, and who in turn will not redecorate your house and yard by knocking through walls and fixtures. If you do not already have a sulcata, please make your decision very carefully. While many people can visualize just how long 24 inches is and how much 100 pounds weighs, actually seeing a tortoise that size is a breathtaking--and sobering--sight.

Sulcatas are, by far, the easiest tortoises to keep... but they can get big and they can get big fast depending on the care you give it.

Attached is a link for a little test for you to see if a Sulcata is for you. On the average you can expect it to get to an unmanagable size in about 5 years if you are not prepared but as I pointed out earlier there is a great degree of variability. (I've got a 5 year old that is about 2 lbs.)

As far as keeping one indoors... when they start attaining some mass they can be VERY distructive and we havn't addressed the issue of the pee and poop yet. Sulcatas, if kept properly, have a very high metabolism. The Food, which they can eat a great deal of, goes in and you really can't imagine what comes out.

Take this little test (note Link) and see if this is the tortoise for you. The test is a little extreme but in the case of the Sulcata it is not far off base.

As long as you understand the pitfalls of the beast and you'd still like to go for it, by all means... Do It. They do make great pets but they are unique in the chelonian world and you really need to prepare for it.

Some of the smaller choices (russians, greeks, Redfoots and hermans) also make great first tortoises.
Link

-----
Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Is there another kind of tortoise that sorta looks like a Sulcata? I like their colorings and their face shape.

J.L.

My first Tort was an egyptian and he's very easy and small. Very cute little guy!!!

Is that him/her?? Oh, it is so precious. What are the care requirements?

J.L.

He's too small to sex. They are very easy to care for. I follow dan wolfe's caresheet on dwherp.com . He's who I bought him from.

That's 1/3 to 1/2 full grown and you should be able to sex it easily at that size. Can you post a plastron/tail shot?
-----
Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

In that case I'd say female cause of the the short tail.He's about a year old.

On the egyptian the tail length is real obvious at about 2 inches scl.
-----
Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Heres pics of size referance and the almost non-exsistent tail. I know what the tails are like cause I bought that crappy movie about them. I just thought it took longer for it to be obvious. How long do you reckon until she hits full size?

Sulcatas are phenominal first tortoises--if you are serious about your relationship with your tortoise. They will get very big, very fast, and live as long as you do. But, on the positive side, they are relatively easy to care for and hardy. They do not like cold weather very much, so I would recommend a large, oudtoor house and pen. A house where your tortoise can go when it is cold, and a pen where he can play outside on warm days. Good luck in your decision.
menagerie

I am just curious to why Leopard's are not considered "good first pets"-just wondering

Leopards can be delicate and difficult to care for.
-----
Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I have to brag about my sonoran desert tortoise. They are hands down the best tortoise ever!! (of course I live in Phoenix; the reason I'm so biased towards them. And, he was free!) My guy lives in my backyard, lives off my bermuda grass, hibernates in the winter. Anyone in Arizona or California, I recommend adopting one. They are really the greatest! Just don't snag one out of the wild or you'll get nailed by F&G.