Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is a sulcata, I'm not sure about the age. He's obviously young but we have had him (rescued) for about 6 months. He has grown a little but not very much. Many times he seems less interested in grazing than my other sulcatas and his ventral shell is somewhat soft. His dorsal shell has some funny "wrinkles" in them. I don't think this is normal but I have never had one this young before, so I am looking for some advice.
He is about 3 inches in diameter. He is fed a handfull of store bought spring mix in the morning and evening. He is also allowed to graze on our lawn for about an hour or more each day. He is outside during the day (we live in AZ) now that it is summer time. He has hideboxes, shade and all. We have two other sulcatas and they are doing great.

Thanks
Rich

Is he eating? If he is, then I wouldn't worry too much. I have two young marginated tortoises that are the same age, but one is twice the size of the other. Despite this size discrepency, the two are healthy as can be.

Some young sulcatas take time to become the dominant animals they can be, and some are certainly more dominant than others. What counts is whether or not the animal is eating. If not, you may have a problem.

T.G.

Looks like he may be a desert tortoise. Where did you rescue him from?

Greg

I got him from a local wildlife rescue. They are pretty good about reptile stuff but I'll try to get more history.

Rich

I thought Redfoot at first, but front feet are too smooth, and scales aren't large enough to be redfoot.

Your tort actually looks like a redfoot to me based on shell coloration and shape. Its skin on the head and legs looks very dry. Does it have red or yellow spotting on the head and legs? If it is a redfoot, it may be kept too dry for its liking. Redfoots are South American torts that like it humid and moist. They also generally dont graze on grasses like the sulcatas and leopard torts do and seem to prefer more dark leafy greens and higher amounts of fruit, and yellow or red vegetables. You may want to have a moist area of cypress mulch in one corner and a shallow pan big enough for it to soak in up to its chin. If it hangs out in those areas, it may be a good clue it is a redfoot and is too dry. Once again, this is all quesswork based on your photo. You really need to get the tort properly identified to care for it as best as possible. By the way, if it is a redfoot, they are great torts. Dont get near as large as sulcattas, dont dig, and are generally very cool torts to keep.

Just scanning forums::

That Looks like a desert tortoise to me! My Mother's Desert tortoises have babies every year, so I have seen my share. We have Sulcatas, Here is a picture of a baby sulcata.

Sulcata Baby