Hello from SC!

[KatK]

I'm Kat- new to the tortoise mama world and loving it! Married, we have two lovely little ladies (5 & 2), two dogs, two pigs, too many chickens, a cat, rabbits.. and now two baby (6mth) sulcatas! I've wanted a sulcata since I was little and finally have plenty of space (5 acres) to accommodate that want! ((And my hubby is awesome and found them for an anniversary present )) They are currently staying inside, but we take them out to enjoy the nice warm weather as often as possible. We have a garden going all year so I will be/am growing their food. I am currently compiling plans for their outdoor enclosure! I have really enjoyed the information on this site so far and know I will never run out of things to read!!!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Welcome from SE Florida.
I'm from York county South Carolina.
I've never heard of Round O
Be very, very careful about the tortoise and the dogs ever being near each other. Most dogs one day decide that a tortoise is a perfect chew toy. Even dogs that have never seemed to show an interest before.

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome! Your place sounds like mine.

Here is the sulcata info for you:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Unfortunately, most of the care info for this species out there is wrong. It is based on incorrect assumptions about how they live in the wild. These are tropical tortoises that thrive in monsoon conditions. They are not desert animals. Its all explained in the threads above. You'll also find that you are going to need to house them separately as they do not do well in pairs. Groups of juveniles usually get along, but not pairs.

 

[KatK]

Welcome from SE Florida.
I'm from York county South Carolina.
I've never heard of Round O
Be very, very careful about the tortoise and the dogs ever being near each other. Most dogs one day decide that a tortoise is a perfect chew toy. Even dogs that have never seemed to show an interest before.

Duly noted, thank you! Our dogs are large and very playful, so they have absolutely no access Round O is a small town outside of Walterboro, so we aren't too far from where you're from!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I didn't see that you had a pair.
This is a common beginners mistake. But with the space, it's an easily overcome mistake.

 

[KatK]

Hello and welcome! Your place sounds like mine.

Here is the sulcata info for you:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Unfortunately, most of the care info for this species out there is wrong. It is based on incorrect assumptions about how they live in the wild. These are tropical tortoises that thrive in monsoon conditions. They are not desert animals. Its all explained in the threads above. You'll also find that you are going to need to house them separately as they do not do well in pairs. Groups of juveniles usually get along, but not pairs.

Thank you for the links! I have certainly noticed all of the conflicting information out there So glad to have found yall!!!
I am currently planning out the space for them.. Ideally, I am planning for something they can be in together while they are still teeny, but easily divided once they are a little older.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Small tortoises can get carried off by things like raccoons and birds like hawks and owls.
A mesh top of some kind may be needed.

 

[Tom]

Thank you for the links! I have certainly noticed all of the conflicting information out there So glad to have found yall!!!
I am currently planning out the space for them.. Ideally, I am planning for something they can be in together while they are still teeny, but easily divided once they are a little older.

It would be best to divide them now. They don't want or need company and living together will stress them both. Or, since you have so much room, get another one or two and keep a group of babies. The potential problem with groups is that if you get more than one male, they will eventually start to try to kill each other, or if only one male, then the females will become baby factories and you'll have loads of babies to deal with all the time. If you get all females, you'll have a lovely and peaceful tortoise experience. For the casual pet owner, its best to have only one, or have only one per enclosure.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hi Kat

 

[Stuart S.]

Hello and welcome! You've come to right place! Congratulations on your new babies!

 

[RosemaryDW]

Welcome!

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome!

 

[BILBO-03]

Hi and Welcome!

 

[TammyJ]

Welcome to the site, it's great here, nice people (except maybe for a few like me) (but I's trying) and great advice from the experts!