Anyone have a tortoise?

[froggie71]

We just got a 1 month old Sulcata tortoise. He/she is so cute and tiny right now. fits in the palm of your hand. We are fully aware as to how large they get. Would love to hear about anyones experience with them. Still trying to think of a name. So far all the names I've come up with seem like boys names. Suggestions are welcome.

Rex
Mack
Dozer

 

[chickenwhisperer]

Keep it off the grassfor now, cocci kills young torts.

Mine is about 8 yrs old now and is roughly 90-100 lbs, very little pyramiding.

They need as much natural, unfiltered sunlight as you can giver them.
Mine lives outside.

I got a vid on YT, Ill post a link . . .

They come from dry scrubland and eat grasses.
Prickly pear cactus is the best treat for them.

 

[tonini3059]

Chompers is 3-4 years old. I can't remember. I swear he is a cow in disguise he eats so much and I have no idea where he puts it all. I have a separate area away from my birds that I fence in for him in the summer.

 

[Terri O]

I HAD two torts...they went missing about Memorial Day! They were out in their garden and climbed a brick wall and got out! I am still so sad seeing their garden now empty! The tortoise table is still next to me here...I am still praying that I will find them after the leaves, corn and beans are down. Mine were Russians so very much smaller at maturity than your Sulcata for sure! I would so have one of those if I could overwinter it outside. THere is a very nice group in the UK that I frequented with tons of information (Tortoist Trust) also Austin's Turtle page was pretty good. Good luck--he is adorable! Terri O
This is Stuart:

And here is Stuart and Monty's garden:

 

[vicki2x2]

I would LOVE a tortoise!! They are on my list of must haves someday!! When we get wood or tile floors, I will definitely look into it. One of the teachers at the high school has one, his name is Kirby. We went up there for the open house one year and he was out roaming the halls, visiting. My youngest daughter had a stroke at age 3 and was learning to walk again with the aid of a reverse walker (similar to those for elderly, but they pull it behind, instead of in front of them, for better posture) and it was bright shiny green. Kirby loved it! He followed her down the hall and since she couldn't walk very fast, they made quite a pair! She was just learning to talk again too, and it was so cute because it made her giggle! Oh good memories!

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Here is mine... his name is Clyde, and he eats a ton also!

There is some really good tortoise info here... http://www.sdturtle.org/ and here http://www.turtlestuff.com/

 

[Terri O]

Oh Clyde is beautiful! Or should I say "handsome?" It looks like he was bookin' in that pic...his leg is even blurry! Terri O--so wishing Stuart and Monty would come home!

 

[3rocksandme]

We have a sulcata, my husband found him/her wandering the AL woods when he was in college. I have no idea how old he/she is but we have had it for 5 years? From what I can tell it's rather grossly undersized and has major pyramiding. It's not friendly, it hisses, and runs away every chance it gets.

 

[3rocksandme]

Terri O,

Sorry hear about your missing tortoise....I thought this story might cheer you up: http://www.wmur.com/slideshow/news/24215442/detail.html

 

[nop169]

We have 2 Sulcattas - a female that is approx. 7 years old rescued from a pet store that wasn't caring for her properly... she is about 40 lbs now & still has some pyrimiding on her shell. Our male is 5 years old and weighs around 80lbs.
There is much information online about their care and also information about rescues and living wills to provide for your tortoises once the owner passes.
I agree with the earlier post that you need to limit grass intake the first year. Ours lived in a large terrerium (dry desert type) the first year & were fed a diet of Mazuri Tortoise Food along with about 30% of the diet being turnip greens, leaf lettuce, fruits & veggies. Calcium supplement once every 3 weeks. This worked very well for us. Insure your animal has a temperature gradient in its enclosure & give full spectrem basking area. I soaked mine every 3 days in warm (room temp) water. They will poo in the water!
After the first year ours outgrew their enclosure & were placed in a moveable outside pen. It is about 20 ft in circumference and is moveable albeit with a little work. The yards are mainly fescue & bermuda & we feed a good bit of garden produce & damaged veggies & fruit daily. I do not feed the mazuri diet in summer but do in winter. I also supplement at times with soaked alfalfa cubes. Fall & winter they have less grass so wu use the Mazuri diet & fresh home grown greens. Once the outside temps dip down - they tend to semi-hibernate & I do not feed as often. Of course they have a heated house. Being in the south - mine have many very warm winter days so we do feed about twice per week until deep winter.
Mine are super friendly & love treats. The male is especially a ham who loves attention. I hope your experience is as great as ours has been but be sure to have a plan in place for their care once you pass as most likely the torts will outlive you by a good while.