Karen from Lincolnshire, new owner of African Sulcata

Karen Grafton · Jul 2, 2015

Alaskamike said:
Welcome. I've kept sulcata in a cold climate before - but currently am in the sub tropics here in Florida. There is a great thread here called "Frankie Tales " under the sulcata section I believe, that gives you an idea what it is like. Fun, frustrating at times, and funny.

Size matters when it comes to habitat and so you are right to do your research. At 5 yr old, I don't know how big Tank is now, but he willl be a very big boy soon for sure. The bigger they are, the more tolerant of temperature variants. Most do not recommend anything under 18c. They cannot properly digest their food until their internal temps are at 27c. So it can be a challenge indoors. Some use outside heated shed, greenhouses, dedicated breezways with extra heat, UV lights etc. You can be inventive.

You asked about exercise, its good you are thinking about that. Sulcata are roamers and explorers. They also need a hide to retreat and sleep in. Most here will tell you they cannot safely roam in a house - they will get into anything, eat stuff on the floor, tip things over and poop wherever they feel like it - hell on carpet LOL . PLus the temps on the floor are usually significantly cooler that the air temp. But if you can mitigate for these things....some do do it successfully watching them. Be careful about a dog...can't trust 'em.

Its often about how much time , $,and effort are you willing to give, and how much is your tort going to be an active part of your life.
good fortunes to you.

Hi there, thanks for all your good advise, my husband has built Tank a lovely new insulated home, heat lamps, non-slip ramp/door etc, Will definitely try not to let him rampage through the house, have battered oak flooring so a bit better than a poopy carpet !! I am picking him up on Saturday, cant wait. Just going to try and find Frankies Tales, cheers

Karen Grafton · Jul 2, 2015

Yvonne G said:
Welcome to the Forum, Karen!

Do a search for "Bob" and for "Bob's new shed" Bob's caretaker lives in Oregon, where people don't tan, they rust, and where the state flower is mold.

Most everyone who keeps large tortoises in places where the weather gets cold either has a heated outdoor shed, a heated basement or a room in the house devoted to the tortoise (no habitat, just the room)

Hi, I am just thinking about what is best to put in the bottom of the Sulcatas house, there are so many different opnions, what do you think?

Tidgy's Dad · Jul 3, 2015

Hello, Karen, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
Good luck with your new tort and photos of your new arrival would be greatly appreciated.
Glad you like it here, i do too, it's the best place for up to date tortoise information with knowledgeable experts on this planet.
And the other planets don't have tortoises.
probably.

4jean · Jul 3, 2015

Can't wait to see pictures of Tank! Congratulations!

Lyn W · Jul 3, 2015

Karen Grafton said:
Hi Lyn , thanks for the tip on beginners mistakes and enclosures thread, really useful stuff, I know Horncastle well as I was born and bred in Lincoln, amazing weather for us and the Tortoises at the moment, very excited to pick Tank up on Saturday. Will put a pic on if can figure out how to do it!

Hi Karen, when you post a message click on the upload a file button and then browse and choose a pic from pictures folder on your PC -. open that and it will upload, then gives you the option of thumbnail or full size. Hope that helps. Good luck for tomorrow, be prepared to have your life ruled and changed by a tiny tort!! Mine hasn't been the same for almost a year!

Karen Grafton · Jul 15, 2015

Karen Grafton said:
Hi everyone, in a few days I pick up my African Sulcata, named TANK !! We are busy making him a new home, he is 5 years old. I am busy doing lots of research so that we give him a good home. I am pleased to have found this site and think that I may be using it a lot ! I would like to hear from people with Sulcatas as I am worried about the winter. Obviously we are setting up the correct heating lamps etc, but what do you all do.. do they move into house with you for exercise ? I would really appreciate any advise about any aspect of their care, thanks so much, karen

Karen Grafton · Jul 15, 2015

hi everyone. here is a pic of Hank the Tank. I picked him up two weeks ago. he is eating ,has a lovely heated home. he is soaked, had some added calcium,has access to water. But he does not seem happy. he stays in his house most of the time. he does come out to eat greens but goes straight back in. he gas a lovely big area to roam. Idon't know what else to do. he was with his previous owner from hatch day but had a really small area to live in. I think he is sulking ! what does everyone think please.

Alaskamike · Jul 15, 2015

Karen. Don't worry. He's not sulking , he's adjusting. Tortoise take some time to deal with change.

Sometimes they even stop eating for awhile. At least Tank is eating. He will come out to explore on his own time.
Sometimes they do just like to chill out in their hide.

Yvonne G · Jul 15, 2015

Karen Grafton said:
Hi, I am just thinking about what is best to put in the bottom of the Sulcatas house, there are so many different opnions, what do you think?

My tortoise sheds start with cement, then a rubber mat for horse stalls that I purchase from a feed store. The mat is about 3/4" thick and very heavy. If the shed is for a rain forest species, I then cover the mat with substrate - either cypress mulch or orchid bark. If its for a desert-type tortoise the floor stays bare...makes it much easier to pick up the poop.

Yvonne G · Jul 15, 2015

Dudley comes and goes on his own. He goes outside and grazes even in the dead of winter when all the grass is dormant. When he gets cold he goes back into the shed.

pam · Jul 22, 2015

Welcome

Chantel · Jul 23, 2015

Hi and welcome! I think getting a 5 year old is awesome, as you don't have all the worries of hatchling care! Can't wait to see pics!

Karen Grafton · Jul 24, 2015

h

Tidgy's Dad · Jul 24, 2015

Wow!
A lovely tort.

Karen Grafton · Jul 24, 2015

Chantel said:
Hi and welcome! I think getting a 5 year old is awesome, as you don't have all the worries of hatchling care! Can't wait to see pics!

thanks Chantel, I have put a pic of my boy on the thread (i hope), not great with the technology. He was called Tank but I have renamed Hank the Tank, I just cannot get used to calling him Tank. He doesnt seem to mind

)

Karen Grafton · Jul 24, 2015

Tidgy's Dad said:
Wow!
A lovely tort.

Ah, thanks so much, I just love him, however he did give me a scare the other day, he managed to crash through where the apple tree is and I found him tucking into an apple. I was really worried, it does not seem to have done him any harm, thankfully.

Tidgy's Dad · Jul 24, 2015

Karen Grafton said:
Ah, thanks so much, I just love him, however he did give me a scare the other day, he managed to crash through where the apple tree is and I found him tucking into an apple. I was really worried, it does not seem to have done him any harm, thankfully.

They are tanks.
He won't mind.
I don't have a sulcata but the stories of them destroying everything in sight are quite normal.
A single apple won't bother him, I think i'm right in saying, sulcata guys?

Karen Grafton · Aug 26, 2015

Hi. I,m worried about Tank,he does not want to soak at all. I am worried hat he may get dehydrated. He eats lots of fresh weeds etc,he is active, the other thing is that someone on line states that there is no such breed a an African Spur thigh. I'm infuses I have been told thats what he is. Any idea !! Cheers. Karen

Tidgy's Dad · Aug 26, 2015

In England Centrochelys sulcata, the sulcata tortoise like yours are often known as African spur-thighed, or African spurred tortoises. This is a species, not a breed.
Confusingly, the Greek tortoise, Testudo graeca, is also referred to as spur thighed, but is a different species and not all come from Africa.
He is a sulcata and some will call him African spur thigh or similar.

Lyn W · Aug 26, 2015

Karen Grafton said:
Hi. I,m worried about Tank,he does not want to soak at all. I am worried hat he may get dehydrated. He eats lots of fresh weeds etc,he is active, the other thing is that someone on line states that there is no such breed a an African Spur thigh. I'm infuses I have been told thats what he is. Any idea !! Cheers. Karen

Hi Karen he really is a lovely tort.
Does he have his own pool he can get in and out of when he feels like it ?
If he is drinking ok I wouldn't worry too much.
Maybe hydrate his food and spray him occasionally.
Hopefully a sully owner will be along to let you know what they do.

Karen from Lincolnshire, new owner of African Sulcata

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