Let's see your Sulcata

Two babies

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2015
Messages
22
Hello. This is Rodney. 11 years old. In the UK, South West. He's a little pyramided (before my time with him) but we love him very much and he brightens up every day. Sulcatas aren't very common in the UK, with good reason, very difficult to emulate his environment in our wet, cold climate but we're managing it - just - with lots of regular adjustments! I love all the pictures of all your sulcatas, they have such personality. Rodney is very confident and social, prefers women, likes to 'chase' magpies ? and the highlight of our garden despite wrecking lots of my lovely plants.

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Wow, Rodney has a nice place to roam. It looks like a hydrangea in the left lower corner of picture #2: If so, does Rodney eat it? I understood them to be poisonous and took mine out. I sure loved it.
 

Emmawilly

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2020
Messages
161
Location (City and/or State)
Plymouth
Wow, Rodney has a nice place to roam. It looks like a hydrangea in the left lower corner of picture #2: If so, does Rodney eat it? I understood them to be poisonous and took mine out. I sure loved it.
Yes there are 3 hydrangeas and a number of other toxic plants to him, the dog and the rabbit. I clip the lower plants so Rodney and bunny can't reach them. I don't think the red flower is oleander but I'm not sure what it is. Will need to check. We've also had to remove or raise other plants which he might eat, including blocking off the veggie patch as he tried to eat the beans which I know are bad. So far he prefers grass above all else and we have lots of that.
Do you know if wild garlic is safe? We have lots popping up which is difficult to control.
 

Two babies

Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2015
Messages
22
Yes there are 3 hydrangeas and a number of other toxic plants to him, the dog and the rabbit. I clip the lower plants so Rodney and bunny can't reach them. I don't think the red flower is oleander but I'm not sure what it is. Will need to check. We've also had to remove or raise other plants which he might eat, including blocking off the veggie patch as he tried to eat the beans which I know are bad. So far he prefers grass above all else and we have lots of that.
Do you know if wild garlic is safe? We have lots popping up which is difficult to control.
Wild garlic seems to be controversial as an edible: I followed threads about it here. I would feel more comfortable if a long-time member such as Tom answer your question. I have wild onion, also controversial, everywhere in my largest yard and don't let me torts in there because of it. It would be impossible to get it all out.
 

zolasmum

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 19, 2015
Messages
2,001
Hello. This is Rodney. 11 years old. In the UK, South West. He's a little pyramided (before my time with him) but we love him very much and he brightens up every day. Sulcatas aren't very common in the UK, with good reason, very difficult to emulate his environment in our wet, cold climate but we're managing it - just - with lots of regular adjustments! I love all the pictures of all your sulcatas, they have such personality. Rodney is very confident and social, prefers women, likes to 'chase' magpies ? and the highlight of our garden despite wrecking lots of my lovely plants.

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Rodney is really handsome - we may very likely be coming to Plymouth later this year ( to Derriford hospital) and it would be lovely to meet him in person. How much does he weigh ?
Angie
 

Emmawilly

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2020
Messages
161
Location (City and/or State)
Plymouth
Rodney is really handsome - we may very likely be coming to Plymouth later this year ( to Derriford hospital) and it would be lovely to meet him in person. How much does he weigh ?
Angie
Oh yes please Angie, would be lovely to see you and Zola. Please let me know nearer the time. Rodders is only 35 pounds, years of insufficient and infrequent nutrition, we're slowly building him up, he had a good appetite.
 

MsParedes

Member
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 23, 2020
Messages
53
Location (City and/or State)
Atwater CA
Hello all
I have 2, a male and a female, Richard and Annie. I have had Richard since he was a week old, size of a walnut, in 1996. The breeder was full of very poor information that I took as gospel. There was not a lot of info online when I got him. I have to admit, reading this forum, has made me feel very guilty. But that's for another forum. Lol
Richard is a 155 lb brat. We live in California, the central valley, on a little over an acre. Plenty of room for Richard and Annie to wonder (and dig).
I am a retired veterinarian technician, and got Annie (at about age 15) from a client that lived in an apartment and ran out of room. Annie is now about 30, 85 lbs, and very docile.
I have learned a lot about these tortoises, over the years. Even though I sincerely love mine, I would never recommend them as pets, especially to a first timer. They are an incredible commitment. I want to thank you all for the information I get from these posts, and the entertainment.
Top pic is Richard
Bottom is Annie
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MsParedes

Member
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 23, 2020
Messages
53
Location (City and/or State)
Atwater CA

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,265
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
I see in your pics the hole in your enclosure. I have a couple also. This behavior really makes me panic, a cave in and getting them out so they don't die. What are your thoughts about that? Have you seen it happen?
Thank you
Burrows are an ideal way for sulcatas to spend hot summer in areas that are regularly in the 90's or higher during the day in summer. They should never be in them during cooler weather. I open mine up, or allow them to dig a new one in late June, and I block the burrow entrance in late October most years. I've never had one collapse with them in it. One did collapse during a heavy rain in winter, but my tortoises were safely in their heated night box when it happened, and had no access to the burrow. During hot weather, the only way to escape the temperature extremes on the surface is to get underground.

In warm weather, I frankly wouldn't be too worried if a burrow did collapse. It happens all the time in the wild and these damn things are so strong they just walk up and out of the collapse. I don't know how they can breathe, and I know they can't see, but they somehow just get up and out with no problem. For a cold sulcata, I'm sure they'd die down there.
 

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