Adult sulcatas need help!

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pdrobber

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My dad's friend owns 3 sulcatas.

They are
-about 10 years old
-pyramided
-10-12'' long
-kept on pellets
-in a 150 gallon tank
-fed romaine lettuce a few times a week
-fed colorful pellets
-not given access to water in their enclosure
-not given any humidity or hides
-kept indoors 24/7/365

So, I'm wondering if there are any adult sulcata care sheets on TFO or other website that I can refer him to without offending/insulting him. When I went over to see them for the first time this week, I just listened for about 30 minutes as he told me

-they don't need a water bowl because they're from the desert, they get it from the lettuce
-they can't have hides because they just push them around
-they can't be brought into the state anymore and a hatchling costs >$1000

Also it looked to me like one had a respiratory problem, he said that it was normal for it to blow a ''snot bubble'' once in a while...I think it's most likely a problem due to being kept on dusty pellets for years...what do you think? would a warmer/more humid enclosure possibly fix it?

As I noticed them pace back and forth they would sometimes kick the pellets toward us, even when they were just eating or basking...is this just their attempt to burrow or maybe throw dirt on their back to cool off
or an aggressive/defensive behavior?

So I would really like to find a care sheet/webpage for adult sulcatas, not targeted toward hatchlings.
Any advice on how to help them and approach him (very close minded and thinks he's an expert) would be appreciated!
 

Yvonne G

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I wouldn't be afraid of offending him. He needs to be offended. However, you would just turn him against you and he wouldn't listen to what you had to say, so don't offend him.

Darryl Senneke is a well-known name in tortoises, and the World Chelonian Trust is a well-respected organization. Here's a link to his care sheet:

http://www.chelonia.org/articles/sulcatacare.htm
 

pdrobber

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I noticed I typed 25/7 instead of 24, but nevertheless they're inside all the time.

Thanks Yvonne, I appreciate your input.
 

Laura

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they are VERY small for 10 year olds..
what do the shells look like?
He needs to build them an outdoor enclosure with a heated doghouse.
Where does he live?
he is WAY behind the times...
print off a few for sale threads and show them how much the cost has gone down.
i hope he doesnt think he can make money off of them... talk him out of them and find them new homes..
 

pdrobber

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Their shells have pyramiding, the larger two that he got together looked worse than the smaller one which he acquired separately. They probably have some MBD going on. He lives on Long Island, NY. My dad asked me how much of that sounded right when we were in the car afterwards and I was speechless.
PART_1297264328948.jpg

PART_1297739142996.jpg

PART_1297739202598.jpg
 

steve426

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so unfortunate to see these torts in this condition and living the way they are. If they are indeed 10 years old then the poor conditions must have stunted there growth. I have a 5yr old sulcata that measures 13". I hope the owner is willing to listen to some suggestions and realize that these torts need and deserve much better. Peter you are doing a great thing trying to help these torts and i hope you are successful.
 
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Maggie Cummings

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I hate seeing Sulcata looking like that. They most certainly have MBD and that means they are in pain. Here's a link to a brief care sheet and the first line under water requirements is...

Unfortunately, many believe that tortoises naturally acquire almost all of their fluid requirements from its food and that therefore they do not require additional drinking water.

So I think this care sheet may help your friend to understand his ideas are pretty old fashioned and his torts are awfully pyramided and in some pain. I have a friend who runs a tortoise rescue on Long Island please let me know if you want her to help you...


http://africantortoise.com/sulcata.htm
 

tobibaby

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that just breaks my heart..poor babies, i want to hug them :(
 

Tom

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This is animal cruelty and should be dealt with very seriously. Its obviously based on ignorance and not malice, but its abuse none the less. This man needs to be told he is wrong, his torts are sick and suffering and he needs to take IMMEDIATE action. I don't give a damn if he's offended. If he refuses to listen and take action call the local authorities. If you saw three sickly, starving, unhealthy puppies with no water or shelter in the backyard, and the man smugly refused to believe that anything was wrong, wouldn't you call the local authorities? This is no different. I can't believe they are even still alive.

Inexcusable.
 

CtTortoiseMom

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This is really sad. Would your Dad's friend be willing to surrender them? If he has had them for this long and remained so blissfully ignorant, why would he change now? I am sorry you are in such a tough situation.
 

Wirewehear

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I agree with Tom's post .... Being nicey-nice wont get thru to the guy. He needs to be looked straight in the eye and told, "you're killing these Torts and they are suffering." If you want to be tactful you can open it up with a "A lot of people make the same mistake but ...."
In the 28+ yrs in my job I've seen a lot of ding-bat dog owners that let there dogs suffer with ear infections, serious skin ailments and so forth. I've tried the nicey-nice and it doesnt work.
Show the guy a picture of what they are suppose to look like then show him a picture of what a Tort with MBD looks like, include the article on MBD symptoms and what-not. Be firm and dont beat around the bush. If he shows any disinterest or denial .... call AC (does AC handle exotics?.... I would think so.) or the nearest Tort rescue.
 

Angi

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I feel like throwing up. I agree that he needs to be told the hard cold facts. If he does not change his ways I would call animal control and report abuse. Sadly from what I have learned here I doubt animal control would be knowledgable enough to see that these torts need help.
 
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