Hello from Tijuana, Mexico!!!

[Checo Valdez]

Hi Everyone,

I'm Checo Valdez and I live in Tijuana, Mexico (Just across the border from San Diego, CA.)

A couple of weeks ago I hired a handyman to do some work in my house, I was reviewing his job when I noticed that one of his buckets was shaking, I went to see what he had in it and I saw a tortoise!!!

I asked him where he got it and he told me that he found it on the way to my house... to make the story short, I offered him around $30 USD and I kept the tort.

I never had a tortoise before and I didn't knew anything about them, fortunately internet was very helpful to me, at least now I know that it's a Sulcata and I continue reading about them to provide "him" (I think is a male) the best environment I can.

So, this is Raphael!!! (Or Raphaella? Please advise)




He is around 4 1/2" wide by 7" long; I think he is around 3 or 4 years old; Could any one help me on the estimated age?

This is where he is spend the day for now:




At night I took him inside to this improvised shelter:
(Now I have put some soil and hay as substrate)



I'm planing to built him a special place soon, so I will be posting some updates and questions.

This is a great forum, I have learned a lot reading and your comments will be really appreciated!!!

Thank you all and best regards,

Checo & Raphael!!!

PS. Sorry for the writing and wrong spelling; I'm still working on my English.

 

[Keith D.]

Hello and welcome to TFO Checo and Raphael.

Nice looking sulcata you have there. There are lots of good people on this forum that will help guide you.

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

Hola, wow I was just there last weekend, found some great BBQ. Sulcata is a well know species regarding it's husbandry. It looks like the outside area with a day time shelter added would be great for some time to come. Raph will sooner or later eat most of the weeds and plants in the yard, if you can start some grasses out there that could help. A shallow water dish too. They can become hay eaters after some time, but will prefer fresh grass. Welcome.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi and welcome from the Desert !

 

[Checo Valdez]

Hello and welcome to TFO Checo and Raphael.

Nice looking sulcata you have there. There are lots of good people on this forum that will help guide you.

Thanks Keith!

 

[Checo Valdez]

Hola, wow I was just there last weekend, found some great BBQ. Sulcata is a well know species regarding it's husbandry. It looks like the outside area with a day time shelter added would be great for some time to come. Raph will sooner or later eat most of the weeds and plants in the yard, if you can start some grasses out there that could help. A shallow water dish too. They can become hay eaters after some time, but will prefer fresh grass. Welcome.

Hola Will!

He have the shelter and water all day available; but as I mentioned I'm planning to built something to provide him a better home...

We are practically neighbors, I'm in the "North Northern of Baja California, but not USA" hahahahaha... if you need anything here next time you come to Tijuana send me a message!

 

[Checo Valdez]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

Thanks Yvonne!

 

[Checo Valdez]

Hi and welcome from the Desert !

Thanks Speedy-1!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Checo and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and Raphael.
This may be someones valued and loved pet. Some people and maybe children may be broken hearted as their beloved sulcata has escaped.
He looks in pretty good condition and has clearly been well cared for, probably just escaped.
Please try to find where she's come from, ask the builder, then ask around the neighbourhood, post flyers, visit local vets and animal rescues.
In the mean time. http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/african-spurred-tortoise-sulcata-care-sheet.52524/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sulcata-diet-sheet.64290/

 

[Checo Valdez]

Hello, Checo and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and Raphaella.
This may be someones valued and loved pet. Some people and maybe children may be broken hearted as their beloved sulcata has escaped.
She looks in pretty good condition and has clearly been well cared for, probably just escaped.
Please try to find where she's come from, ask the builder, then ask around the neighbourhood, post flyers, visit local vets and animal rescues.
In the mean time. http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/african-spurred-tortoise-sulcata-care-sheet.52524/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sulcata-diet-sheet.64290/

Thanks for the welcome Tidgy's Dad!

I did asked in the surroundings and actually I take him (Wait, it's a female?) on "walks" thru the green/community areas during the first week and several persons approached to admire him/her but no one mentioned nothing about a missing tortoise; I don't think that belongs to anyone on my neighborhood... but as a good citizen I will post some flyers... But if nobody show up I'm willing to provide him/her a good and safe home.

He/She have some pyramiding; I hope that remain as it is and not continue growing.

Thanks for the comments ans suggestions, I will read all the links you shared.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Thanks for the welcome Tidgy's Dad!

I did asked in the surroundings and actually I take him (Wait, it's a female?) on "walks" thru the green/community areas during the first week and several persons approached to admire him/her but no one mentioned nothing about a missing tortoise; I don't think that belongs to anyone on my neighborhood... but as a good citizen I will post some flyers... But if nobody show up I'm willing to provide him/her a good and safe home.

He/She have some pyramiding; I hope that remain as it is and not continue growing.

Thanks for the comments ans suggestions, I will read all the links you shared.

You're right, there is some pyramiding, but i've seen much worse and the general condition seems excellent.
Glad you checked out the area.
Looks like you've gained a tortoise!
Congratulations.
It's good you came here for information, we've the best right here.
And your English is excellent.
Thought it might be female, now i think male, i'm rubbish at sexing torts!

 

[TortoiseRebel]

Howdy Checo and welcome.

 

[Carol S]

Welcome to the Forum.

 

[Checo Valdez]

Howdy Checo and welcome.

Thanks!

 

[Checo Valdez]

Welcome to the Forum.

Thanks Carol!

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello Checo

 

[Checo Valdez]

Hello Checo
View attachment 147963

Thanks Grandpa Turtle 144!

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Thanks Grandpa Turtle 144!

Your very welcome !

 

[Pearly]

Warm welcome from central Texas. Raphael is beautiful. Seems that you are a man of action, getting a surprise tort and already on the forum . Good for you and Raphael. Enjoy the forum, ask questions, learn, let us learn from you, make friends and keep us posted. Again, welcome to the forum