KarmicEnigma
New Member
Hi There! I'm in a number of Facebook groups about Sulcatas and this forum was mentioned there, so I've been reading for a couple of weeks and feeling overwhelmed. You guys seem much more knowledgable, so I'd love some personalized guidance on how to do this right.
We have an acquaintance that has 2 Sulcatas, 4 and 5 years old. They are outgrowing their habitat so they are looking to rehome them. Despite knowing nothing about tortoises, we bought an acre of land a couple of years ago, so we're in a good financial and environmental position to adopt and commit to the long term needs of a Sulcata. After doing some research and seeing they are solitary animals, we are only adopting the youngest one. So I've been in manic research mode trying to prepare responsibly. We live in Central Texas - so mostly ideal weather with a few weeks of cold, only a few freezing nights per year.
Right now the sulcata is the size of the current owner's hand and has been living in a tortoise table (I think? Not sure, but it has outgrown their environment). Because we have the land, we thought we'd go ahead and move him outdoors because that would be better for him and we'd like for him to grow so he can enjoy his permanent habitat. LONG TERM - we have a 25x25 fenced in area (the previous owners used it as a dog run) that we will reinforce and make his permanent habitat. But because he's still small and subject to predators, this will be his interim home so we can keep it covered and protected.
I've read so much, I'm overwhelmed with information overload. I know I'll learn more once we bring him home and start raising him (with the help of this group!) - so for now we just want to make sure our setup is right so we can finally bring him home. We built this enclosure over the weekend as his interim home - maybe a year or two? I have a heat mat on the way for what few cold nights we have left, as well as a cuttlebone. I have lots of grass, dandelions and weeds growing on the property that I'll start with for food. Not sure what would be best to use for water - lid to a rubbermaid container or large terra cotta dish, maybe?
So I'd love y'alls help - what do I do from here? Here's some photos:
We have an acquaintance that has 2 Sulcatas, 4 and 5 years old. They are outgrowing their habitat so they are looking to rehome them. Despite knowing nothing about tortoises, we bought an acre of land a couple of years ago, so we're in a good financial and environmental position to adopt and commit to the long term needs of a Sulcata. After doing some research and seeing they are solitary animals, we are only adopting the youngest one. So I've been in manic research mode trying to prepare responsibly. We live in Central Texas - so mostly ideal weather with a few weeks of cold, only a few freezing nights per year.
Right now the sulcata is the size of the current owner's hand and has been living in a tortoise table (I think? Not sure, but it has outgrown their environment). Because we have the land, we thought we'd go ahead and move him outdoors because that would be better for him and we'd like for him to grow so he can enjoy his permanent habitat. LONG TERM - we have a 25x25 fenced in area (the previous owners used it as a dog run) that we will reinforce and make his permanent habitat. But because he's still small and subject to predators, this will be his interim home so we can keep it covered and protected.
I've read so much, I'm overwhelmed with information overload. I know I'll learn more once we bring him home and start raising him (with the help of this group!) - so for now we just want to make sure our setup is right so we can finally bring him home. We built this enclosure over the weekend as his interim home - maybe a year or two? I have a heat mat on the way for what few cold nights we have left, as well as a cuttlebone. I have lots of grass, dandelions and weeds growing on the property that I'll start with for food. Not sure what would be best to use for water - lid to a rubbermaid container or large terra cotta dish, maybe?
So I'd love y'alls help - what do I do from here? Here's some photos: