Hiya To All!

AgataP

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Aug 18, 2020
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647
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Seattle, WA
Hello Everyone !
I am new to the forum.
Just purchased a baby Sulcata, that should be arriving here in Seattle in about two days.
I am have been browsing and reading the forum for a bit now. Lots of great topics!
I am excited to share photos and stories on my new little mate. I will defenitly look for an advice. Thank you for having me.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
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AHHHH!!! WAIT!!! Where did you buy it from? Most people don't start these babies correctly and a large percentage of them die weeks or months down the road. Let us help you avoid an all too common tragedy that we see here all the time...

Here is the care info. Most of the care info you find for this species is wrong. Check it out and feel free to ask lots of questions:

At the very least we can help you ask the right questions of the seller to make sure you are getting a well started baby.
 

AgataP

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Joined
Aug 18, 2020
Messages
647
Location (City and/or State)
Seattle, WA
AHHHH!!! WAIT!!! Where did you buy it from? Most people don't start these babies correctly and a large percentage of them die weeks or months down the road. Let us help you avoid an all too common tragedy that we see here all the time...

Here is the care info. Most of the care info you find for this species is wrong. Check it out and feel free to ask lots of questions:

At the very least we can help you ask the right questions of the seller to make sure you are getting a well started baby.

I got it from https://www.tortoisetown.com/
I have been reading all the posts. Checking what I need to make their life great from the start.
I will make sure to ask all the questions.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
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I got it from https://www.tortoisetown.com/
I have been reading all the posts. Checking what I need to make their life great from the start.
I will make sure to ask all the questions.
They have a terrible reputation. Do a search and read their reviews here. Please do not buy from them. Its very likely your baby won't survive. Give this a read:

A poorly started baby cannot be fixed. No matter how perfect your care is, they cannot recover from a poor start if too much damage has been done. Buy from a breeder that starts them correctly.
 

AgataP

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Messages
647
Location (City and/or State)
Seattle, WA
They have a terrible reputation. Do a search and read their reviews here. Please do not buy from them. Its very likely your baby won't survive. Give this a read:

A poorly started baby cannot be fixed. No matter how perfect your care is, they cannot recover from a poor start if too much damage has been done. Buy from a breeder that starts them correctly.

Well I did buy it already and it’s going to be shipped. I looked for local breeders, looked to rescue one - none available. Sending a post telling me that my new tortoise will just simply die doesn’t make me feel good in any way or form.
I came over here for an advice when needed, research etc.
The baby is not even here yet.
I want to make sure that from the moment I get it I provide it with all the needs. Not necessarily to hear that it will die either way.

I found a tortoise melted into asphalt back in Europe with a cracker shell I cared for it, provided nutrients that it needed. The shell regenerated and filled in.

I can’t think that oh it will just die. Please tell me what is the best light I can get. Heat and light.
 

Minority2

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Tortoise Hell
Well I did buy it already and it’s going to be shipped. I looked for local breeders, looked to rescue one - none available. Sending a post telling me that my new tortoise will just simply die doesn’t make me feel good in any way or form.
I came over here for an advice when needed, research etc.
The baby is not even here yet.
I want to make sure that from the moment I get it I provide it with all the needs. Not necessarily to hear that it will die either way.

I found a tortoise melted into asphalt back in Europe with a cracker shell I cared for it, provided nutrients that it needed. The shell regenerated and filled in.

I can’t think that oh it will just die. Please tell me what is the best light I can get. Heat and light.

Tom is trying to explained that a poorly started tortoise will have a higher chance of dying no matter whomever cares for it because those tortoises don't ever have a chance to fully develop their organs. They'll constantly suffer just by trying to live day to day that they'll eventually die because their undeveloped organs can't sustain their eventual growth. A fully developed adult tortoise can survive a lot of abuse. A not-fully developed tortoise will always struggle to live day to day even if they live past the hatchling to yearling phase. Well-started tortoises will never have this problem.

Tortoisetown is notorious known for being some of the worst sellers in the community. They may offer you a replacement tortoise but that tortoise is most likely going to die as well. They've already taken your money and the tortoises they get are the worse and cheapest quality specimens so they don't care whatever happens to them as long as they're able to hook in unaware customers.

Members of this forum will pretty much say the same thing about tortoisetown because there's a multi-paged thread of bad customer reviews about them in this forum. Filled with people trying practically anything and still failing to keep them alive regardless of the level of care provided.

If you wanna gamble with that go ahead. I'd still try to contact them and demand a refund if I were you. There's a list of approved breeders in this forum and you're welcomed to compare their breeding practices if you wish to learn more.
 
Last edited:

Yvonne G

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Since you've already bought the tortoise, take a good look at the care sheet Tom linked for you, and make sure you set your new baby up correctly. I'd love to see pictures when you get him. Nothing cuter than a baby tortoise!

Welcome to the Forum!!
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
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Well I did buy it already and it’s going to be shipped. I looked for local breeders, looked to rescue one - none available. Sending a post telling me that my new tortoise will just simply die doesn’t make me feel good in any way or form.
I came over here for an advice when needed, research etc.
The baby is not even here yet.
I want to make sure that from the moment I get it I provide it with all the needs. Not necessarily to hear that it will die either way.

I found a tortoise melted into asphalt back in Europe with a cracker shell I cared for it, provided nutrients that it needed. The shell regenerated and filled in.

I can’t think that oh it will just die. Please tell me what is the best light I can get. Heat and light.
You can cancel the sale and save your self a whole lot of heartbreak. You can reward a seller that takes the time and interest to start babies correctly. Having watched dozens of people go through what you are about to go through, I can tell you it isn't fun. Its not the new pet experience you are looking for. I'm not trying to make you feel good by telling you this. I'm trying to prevent you from feeling really really bad when things go the way they usually go with this seller.

Here is all the correct care info. Lighting, heating, housing, diet, and many other important care elements are explained at length. Questions are welcome:
 

AgataP

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647
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Seattle, WA
I totally understand what everyone is saying. I really appreciate it. I tried to call, email and yeah no response. That says a lot about it.
I did read the care sheet few times over before - now my optimism is minimal. Will calling them again.
 

AgataP

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Joined
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Messages
647
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Seattle, WA
This is what tortoise town does, they sell sick tortoises and the moment something goes wrong, they disappear. So sorry you’re going through this.

I didnt get the tortoise yet. Was trying to cancel as recommended however sent many emails, called and nothing.
If it comes to worse I will just take a legal action. If this place is as bad it should not exist. Not good for anyone.
 

AgataP

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Messages
647
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Seattle, WA
I know, but tortoise town still has not answered your calls. That’s what I was referring too, sorry if I was confusing. I should have clarified.

Ah yes sorry for misunderstanding. Well will go with my last option - hope that it arrives and I can care for it to my best ability and that maybe I can be the lucky one with a healthy animal.
That will all the knowledge over here and experienced owners we can raise a healthy, happy individual.
However I think in this situation there should be some actions taken to prevent this "breeder" from selling tortoises.
 

Toddrickfl1

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Ah yes sorry for misunderstanding. Well will go with my last option - hope that it arrives and I can care for it to my best ability and that maybe I can be the lucky one with a healthy animal.
That will all the knowledge over here and experienced owners we can raise a healthy, happy individual.
However I think in this situation there should be some actions taken to prevent this "breeder" from selling tortoises.
They aren't breeders they're flippers. They buy cheap Hatchlings, from any source, and resell them. Hopefully you get a healthy one and have no issues. Soak as much as possible when you first receive the tortoise to get it hydrated. At least 1+ hour everyday.
 

AgataP

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Joined
Aug 18, 2020
Messages
647
Location (City and/or State)
Seattle, WA
They aren't breeders they're flippers. They buy cheap Hatchlings, from any source, and resell them. Hopefully you get a healthy one and have no issues. Soak as much as possible when you first receive the tortoise to get it hydrated. At least 1+ hour everyday.
YES!!!
 
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