Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I think i am about to take in a sulcata tortoise. It has been at the pet store i work at for about 2 years(not how long i have been there) and nobody really is showing interest in her. So, i was wondering if you all could give me some helpful tips, such as substrate, heating, etc.. I have been doing some research but some is kind of vague, and i know that ya'll know the answers to all of these questions.

Thanx

Great information:

http://tortoisetrust.org/care/csulcata.html

Please note the enclosure requirements VERY CLOSELY.

I HATE that sulcatas are the new iguana in the pet trade.....

when captive breeding is so successful that the animal becomes a nuisance... especially with an animal that is relatively rare in the wild.

As to the enclosure 'requirements' I read those as a suggestion.

I was pleased to see that there was no mention that they should not be kept in the northern climates... some good info.

>>Great information:
>>
>>http://tortoisetrust.org/care/csulcata.html
>>
>>Please note the enclosure requirements VERY CLOSELY.
>>
>>I HATE that sulcatas are the new iguana in the pet trade.....
-----
Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I keep my Sulcata's on timothy Hay and they go outside for the summer (which is only about 3 month here in New England). I feed my guys a salad of:
Kale
Collard Greens
Mustard seed greens
Dandylion
parsley
Red Leaf Lettuce
Escarole
Chickory
lots and lots of timoty hay!!
I mix it in a big salad. I also throw the occasional bean sprouts or AlfAlfa sprouts then very very sparingly they get some fruits (like once a month if they r lucky) And lots of calcium and Vitamins. My vet and I put this together and it seems to work very well. I have no Pyramiding in my torts except for 1 I bought off a Customer of mine but she was 3 years old and ate only watermelon rinds.

As far as temp I run several basking areas about 88-90 degrees

I hope this helps! Good Luck!!!
Casey