Young Gus the Sulcata for Adoption in Texas

After much thought and loss of sleep I must say, I have decided to try to find a good home for my young sulcata. He is almost 3 yrs old and about 9.5 in long. Very good health and as active as can be. Loves to roam around my yard grazing. Until I found this forum, I, like many others I am finding out, were ignorant about the raising of tortoises but in particular the sulcata. From a young age, until now, I have always loved the gentle giant, actually tortoises in general but had no idea what it took to raise a sulcata - not a good beginner tort. I was given Gus by my daughter for my birthday and was so ecstatic and was so enthused about getting "educated" about its raising. She also was as uneducated as I about the raising of these "gentle giants" . I find myself reading everyday to get as much information and to make sure this little guy is being taken care of as he should be and after spending quite a bit of money on the enclosed chamber, lighting, heating, etc. for the fall/winter as well as backyard outdoor enclosure. I'm very proud of what I've done thus far, and it'll be ok for this year, but this tort will grow and I'm not sure what I have now, will suffice for next year and I know will definitely not for the years to come. I have come to the realization that I would rather try and find him a good home now, with someone who is knowledge about sulcatas and can provide him a good home and healthy life then to wait and get more attached to him as I know the inevitable is going to happen and I eventually will be unable to provide what he needs. I would like to keep my closed chamber as I have put so much time and effort into getting it together and I would really like to find a smaller tort or one that will not grow as large as a sully. Please let me know if you would be interested in Gus. I just want him to go to a good home and to someone who is knowledgeable in the raising of these beautiful creatures. Forgive my long posting, I am so passionate about this but I have to be honest with myself and admit this species is not the right one for me. He is such a sweet tort and I only want the very best for him. I know this will have to go before the board for review before posting as I am a fairly new member with only over 50 postings but I do hope it gets approved due to the special circumstance.

I just want to give you a hug. What a hard thing you are doing for this creature whom your love for shows through so glaringly.

I just want what's best for him and for him to be happy and healthy - these 5 months that I have had with him have been such a joy and a great learning experience for me but I have to be honest with myself and in looking forward to the future I feel I have gotten in over my head. This is so hard for me to do because of the fact that I have grown to care so much for Gus. If you know of anyone who would be interested in adopting Gus and giving him a good home please let me know. Thank you Jacqui.

In looking for a new home for Gus I've been asked a couple of times if I'm sure she's a sulcata. We just took the word of the people my daughter bought him from. They were from California and bought him at a flea market there. Can you help me confirm that he is indeed a sulcata from my pic?

My heart aches for you but I also admire your selflessness and devotion to your pet. I can't really see your picture well enough to confirm the species (have only been keeping torts for few months) but others are sure to come along soon and help with ID. Your avatar picture does look like a sulcata, plus the fact that he's grown that big that fast makes me guess that he is, but this is just my guess. I wish I could take him, have always loved sullied... As you have said though: the work to create proper microclimate for them, space, cost... all put breaks on my impulse to just go get Gus from you. I'm in Texas, too, and maybe some day I will have a sully roaming in my garden, but now I've got my hands full with my daughter's 2 REDFOOT babies. Best of luck to you

Looks sulcata to me.

Pearly said:

My heart aches for you but I also admire your selflessness and devotion to your pet. I can't really see your picture well enough to confirm the species (have only been keeping torts for few months) but others are sure to come along soon and help with ID. Your avatar picture does look like a sulcata, plus the fact that he's grown that big that fast makes me guess that he is, but this is just my guess. I wish I could take him, have always loved sullied... As you have said though: the work to create proper microclimate for them, space, cost... all put breaks on my impulse to just go get Gus from you. I'm in Texas, too, and maybe some day I will have a sully roaming in my garden, but now I've got my hands full with my daughter's 2 REDFOOT babies. Best of luck to you

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Thanks for considering. It did take time and expense but I'm glad its done. It accomodates him for now but I'm looking down the road in the future and I'm not sure I can handle whats coming as far as his rapid growth and having to add on to his outdoor enclosure and to winterize it because he won't be able to use the closed chamber I had built. He's so sweet - but like I said I need to find him a good home now instead of waiting -- it'll be even harder than it is now.

I am not 100% sure but I was under the impression that very humid warm environment was essential for growing/developing babies. I thought, and please, someone correct me if I'm wrong on this, that fully grown adults can live outside in our Texas climate most of the year with heated houses they can go to. I know @Tom keeps sulcatas and he has some great threads on this forum. I'm saying all this bcs ... maybe ... you can keep Gus afterall? I too haven't figured out how to address the few cold days for our babies once they grow up. I don't think I'd even leave them in their heated houses, I'd be freaking out all night long that they are freezing and getting sick. I still have a ling way to go before crissing that bridge so I have the comfort of being able to sort through all the info out there. Where in Texas are you? I'm in Austin area

I don't be interested I'm in San Antonio. Is he still available?

sissyofone said:

I don't be interested I'm in San Antonio. Is he still available?

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I'm in SA as well. If you're interested I love to discuss it with you.

I pm'd you.

Sandy Martinez said:

In looking for a new home for Gus I've been asked a couple of times if I'm sure she's a sulcata. We just took the word of the people my daughter bought him from. They were from California and bought him at a flea market there. Can you help me confirm that he is indeed a sulcata from my pic?

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Hi there, I would love to take him if he is still available. You are in Texas?

Thanks, Rachel 210-488-5119

Her avatar is a Russian, I didn't see any pix of a Sulcata, did I miss it?

Sandy Martinez said:

In looking for a new home for Gus I've been asked a couple of times if I'm sure she's a sulcata. We just took the word of the people my daughter bought him from. They were from California and bought him at a flea market there. Can you help me confirm that he is indeed a sulcata from my pic?

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If you're talking about the tortoise in your avatar picture, no that's not a sulcata. That's a Russian tortoise and he's probably as big as he's going to get.

Sandy's profile picture has changed - it is no longer of Gus the sulcata but instead her new Russian. See: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Gus-the-young-sulcata-for-adoption-or-trade.131238/

That's correct Sarah. ..i updated my profile after i got my russian. ..my sulcata was adopted before that. Thx

I was just curious to see if you still need a home for your sulcata. I live near SanAntonio and I would love to bring him into my family. I have other tortoises and they are all thriving here. They split their time from a big backyard to an indoor room for colder times. My number is (210) 658-4849. Call me if your are still in need of rehoming him.
Beth

Thanks but Gus has already been rehomed.