Hello all, I recently rescued what we have since deemed to be a Sulcata tortoise from a family who were about to lose their home. We've owned other exotics, but this is our first tortoise, so I am trying to learn everything I can to keep Neegan safe, healthy & happy. So glad I stumbled upon this forum as I have already been reading through lots of different threads, which is what helped us figure out what kind of tortoise Neegan was.
I was told nothing about his/her background other than they thought the tortoise was about 5 maybe 6 years old. I was originally told it was a Russian tortoise, but based on everything I can see, it appears to be that Neegan is very much a Sulcata. I am attaching a couple of pics, so please correct me if I am wrong.
So the large tank is what Neegan arrived in and we live in the Northeast and it's just now warming up enough that we can consider getting him outside. I actually let him wander around the yard a bit today as it was a little warmer. So an outdoor pen will be forthcoming. In the current living quarters, we added the rock water pool in the corner and changed the bedding to a combination of EcoEarth coconut fiber bedding (which he really seems to like because he can dig into it) and Forest Floor bedding.
We have been feeding him a combination of greens, grass from the yard, dandelions as well as baby romaine, cucumbers and supplementing with an occasional dose of tortoise food from the pet store (not certain this was wise, but wanted to ensure he was getting enough nutrients) . I also have a cuttlefish bone in there with him, as I was told it was good for his shell.
Neegan appears healthy and active.
I think my biggest question at the moment is, does Neegan appear to be small for the age given?
Open to suggestions, information, helpful hints!!
Ignore the little clay turtle, it was in there when he came to us so we left it there. Also, currently the tank is on the floor in my home office, so please ignore the items in the back ground. If we decide to continue to use this tank we will make a stand for it, but I think we are going to be building something new for Neegan.
I was told nothing about his/her background other than they thought the tortoise was about 5 maybe 6 years old. I was originally told it was a Russian tortoise, but based on everything I can see, it appears to be that Neegan is very much a Sulcata. I am attaching a couple of pics, so please correct me if I am wrong.
So the large tank is what Neegan arrived in and we live in the Northeast and it's just now warming up enough that we can consider getting him outside. I actually let him wander around the yard a bit today as it was a little warmer. So an outdoor pen will be forthcoming. In the current living quarters, we added the rock water pool in the corner and changed the bedding to a combination of EcoEarth coconut fiber bedding (which he really seems to like because he can dig into it) and Forest Floor bedding.
We have been feeding him a combination of greens, grass from the yard, dandelions as well as baby romaine, cucumbers and supplementing with an occasional dose of tortoise food from the pet store (not certain this was wise, but wanted to ensure he was getting enough nutrients) . I also have a cuttlefish bone in there with him, as I was told it was good for his shell.
Neegan appears healthy and active.
I think my biggest question at the moment is, does Neegan appear to be small for the age given?
Open to suggestions, information, helpful hints!!
Ignore the little clay turtle, it was in there when he came to us so we left it there. Also, currently the tank is on the floor in my home office, so please ignore the items in the back ground. If we decide to continue to use this tank we will make a stand for it, but I think we are going to be building something new for Neegan.