Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone...I've been lurking here for a while now and have finally come up with something that advice from all you great people would be helpful. My boyfriend and I are considering getting a baby Sulcata or two, most likely from a reptile show in Monroeville, PA (only place around that has them that I know of). We've seen the same breeder with babies multiple times, probably 2 - 3 inches long and they look healthy. I have lots of questions that I'm hoping everyone will be able to help me with. I have read that these guys grow fast, my question is how fast? What would be the best housing option for them (we have plenty of empty aquariums sitting around which would be easiest), best substrate, etc. I have seen pictures of them housed with sand, rabbit pellets and I just read about compressed wood pellets but I'm not sure which would be best. How long would it be before they needed something other than an aquarium (with full spectrum lighting)? We rent right now and aren't allowed to have any animals roaming free. We don't want to commit to having a tortoise and then have to get rid of it because we can't properly house it. I wouldn't want to leave them outside at night either (even in the summer) because there are dogs and cats that run around the neighborhood loose and I wouldn't want the tortoise getting into the poison ivy in the bushes. Sorry this I'm rambling so much, but I want to know what I'm doing before we do this. Any and all information would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

~Katie

Sulcatas grow very fast, they can grow 4 inches or more in a year. The babies will outgrow your aquarium in the first year. I was at my tortoise club meeting this past weekend and we have a rescue male that is only 4 years old and he is about 16" straight line and he weighs around 24 pounds. A baby sulcata will need to be housed outdoor after their first year and an adult sulcata can weigh 150-200 pounds and can go through sheet walls. Our club rescue male was rearranging the furniture as we were holding our meeting, yes even at that size. Please think twice before going out there and purchase them. I know they are very cute but many of them became disposable pets and end up in rescues. Here's a link to a reality check of owning a sulcata http://www.turtlehomes.org/usa/test.shtml
Sorry I don't mean to preach but our club always end up with so many unwanted sulcatas each year. Pet owners go and buy the hatchlings thinking: when they get too big for my house I'll surrender them but many rescues are running out of space to foster them. Have you thought of getting something smaller like Russians or Hermanns instead?

Right then...anyone know the same info about Leopard Tortoises then? I'd love to be able to get a sulcata but it sounds like we wouldn't be able to keep up with their growth rate. Do Leopards grow slower? I'm asking around (aka you guys) because I don't want to have to end up giving it to a rescue or something of that nature. Maybe once we move more south (we're in Pennsylvania now - way too cold for a tortoise to be outside) we'd be able to get a sulcata - or at least be able to house one properly. Anywho...thank you so much for your replies, really quickly too ...

~Katie

Leopards grow much slower than sulcatas but they should have access to natural sunlight during the summer months if at all possible. One of my leopards is 3 year old, she's only 4.5-5" long and she's been with me since a hatchling. I personally don't care to house torts in aquariums instead you can go to WalMart or Target and get one of those under-the-bed Rubbermaid long container and house yourtort(s)in one of those. I house hatchlings on paper towels until they are about a year old then I switch to cypress mulch, don't use sand it will cause impaction if the tort eats it. I feed my torts on small paper plates when they are babies, after that I use flat rocks as their dinner plates. This way they don't ingest the substrate in the enclosure and it helps preventing their beaks from overgrown.

If you can't find leopard hatchlings at your upcoming show, contact Richard at Riparian Farm in AZ. He is one of most reputable breeder around, his animals are awesome, he ships overnight (4 of my 6 leopards are from him), will answer all your questions even long after your purchase.

HTH

I'm just curious? Would you ever consider getting a hermanns tortoise? I was just wondering because that is the kind of tortoise I have and he is the greatest. I keep him in a 20 gallong reptile tank. He has all the required lighting systems needed. I don't know much about leapord tortoises but I am sure if you search around different tortoise sites on the internet that you could learn a lot in a short period of time. I have found a lot of useful information online about my tortoise, Timli. I know about not wanting them outside because of animals. I can't have mine outside right now because I live in Wisconsin and we are heading into our cold season. If you have any questions that you think I could answer please let me know. I would also be willing to send you anything that I would happen to find on the type of toroise that you are planning on getting.

~Cassi

Have you considered adoption? MANY herp rescues are overflowing with smaller sulcatas all time of the year. And the bonus is most good herp rescues make sure the animal is healthy before adopting out with a lot of vet checks.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

I have had a sulcata in the past and he grew from a tiny handful to a 50lb. 18" monster in a few short years. Right now I have two 1 year old leopard tortoises and can attest to the fact that they grow slower than sulcatas. But although they are beautifully patterned they are not very friendly. I am told some tortoises like redfoots and russians will learn to beg for food over time. The russian is also quite a bit smaller than a leopard or sulcata. Good luck with whatever you choose.