Let's see your Sulcata

MsParedes

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Tortoise Club
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Jul 23, 2020
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53
Location (City and/or State)
Atwater CA
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.

Thank you for such a great explanation. As I read it, my husband gave me the "I told you so" look. I have to admit, when it comes to my animals, I don't know how to distinguish them from people.
 

tortlvr

Member
Today is my birthday!
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
86
Location (City and/or State)
San Diego Ca
That made my day coming from u?
Thank u
Recently there has been some requests..."Let's see your Greeks, or Redfoots or other. But there never is a "lets see your Sulcata". I think it's because they are so popular and have so many topics with many photos all ready. So here it is...

Let's see your Sulcata who's over 10 years old...
and that leaves me out...who's first?

Here is Dudley. He belongs to my sister...he's old as heck... his gular amaze me...and his fore legs are bigger than my arms. He is massive and likes to chase me...and I run fast

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The massive and handsome Dudley Gomez
Here's my 2. The mail was found walking in around in our local park in2011. In sure he had some poor care before we got him. The female we got in 2017. I think she is over 10 but no previous information was available. They both are in the 90lb. range. These pictures are from last year.
We love them get entertainment every day.

20200419_121158.jpg
 

tortlvr

Member
Today is my birthday!
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
86
Location (City and/or State)
San Diego Ca
Here's my 2. The mail was found walking in around in our local park in2011. In sure he had some poor care before we got him. The female we got in 2017. I think she is over 10 but no previous information was available. They both are in the 90lb. range. These pictures are from last year.
We love them get entertainment every day.
Some how the male didn't get attached. Here is our big guy.

20190219_121643.jpg
 

Maggie3fan

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5 Year Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2018
Messages
8,046
Location (City and/or State)
PacificNorthWest
I want to point out that these are older bigger Sulcata kept by our experienced keepers. They are freakin beautiful to me. Thank you to all that have posted so far. We have an amazing group of Sulcata, I am hoping that the noobs pay attention on how they 'should' look, not like Mary...?
 

MsParedes

Member
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 23, 2020
Messages
53
Location (City and/or State)
Atwater CA
I want to point out that these are older bigger Sulcata kept by our experienced keepers. They are freakin beautiful to me. Thank you to all that have posted so far. We have an amazing group of Sulcata, I am hoping that the noobs pay attention on how they 'should' look, not like Mary...?
Who is Mary?
 

Maggie3fan

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2018
Messages
8,046
Location (City and/or State)
PacificNorthWest
Who is Mary?
Mary was found walking in downtown Portland Oregon and brought to Corvallis and turned over to our local wildlife rescue, and they called me.
Knobby, as he was called then, is very badly pyramided and small for his est. age. I have had him for about 5 years now. About a year ago our Nazi-moderated took another close look at him, Knobby. He was so pyramided I named him after the knobs on a dirt bike tire. Anyhow, Knobby the male, has matured into Mary Knobbins female. She is between 5 and 8 years, I think. Her new growth is smooth but she will always be pyramided and small.
There are a lot of pyramided Sulcata and I'm afraid if we don't say something that newbies will start to think that pyramiding is normal. Mary is reasonably healthy but won't ever be pretty, but what she lacks in looks, she makes up for in a rotten personality...lol
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I love her face even with her overshot jaw, or maybe because of it
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tortlvr

Member
Today is my birthday!
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
86
Location (City and/or State)
San Diego Ca
Mary was found walking in downtown Portland Oregon and brought to Corvallis and turned over to our local wildlife rescue, and they called me.
Knobby, as he was called then, is very badly pyramided and small for his est. age. I have had him for about 5 years now. About a year ago our Nazi-moderated took another close look at him, Knobby. He was so pyramided I named him after the knobs on a dirt bike tire. Anyhow, Knobby the male, has matured into Mary Knobbins female. She is between 5 and 8 years, I think. Her new growth is smooth but she will always be pyramided and small.
There are a lot of pyramided Sulcata and I'm afraid if we don't say something that newbies will start to think that pyramiding is normal. Mary is reasonably healthy but won't ever be pretty, but what she lacks in looks, she makes up for in a rotten personality...lol
View attachment 318609
I love her face even with her overshot jaw, or maybe because of it
View attachment 318611
View attachment 318610
Why is she in the snow?
 
Joined
Dec 20, 2020
Messages
36
Location (City and/or State)
Texas
I want to point out that these are older bigger Sulcata kept by our experienced keepers. They are freakin beautiful to me. Thank you to all that have posted so far. We have an amazing group of Sulcata, I am hoping that the noobs pay attention on how they 'should' look, not like Mary...?
Yes, I’m a newbie and am so grateful for this forum and this thread. Lots of inspiration and great guidance. My 8 month old sulcata has so much spunk and personality already, I know she’ll be just as mischievous as an adult.
Look forward to when she is full grown & roaming my yard.
 
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