Are they healthy?

[Ranger406]

Good afternoon, Everyone. I am new to this forum and have not purchased my tortoise(s) yet. I was referred to a private breeder in Nevada who is selling 5.5" Yearlings for $150 each and these are the pictures that were sent to me. When I saw the pics, it looks to me like they could already be showing signs of pyramiding, but I wanted to seek the perspective of you who already have Sulcatas with some experience under their belts.
The first question I have is whether or not these look like they are healthy and a good choice for a first Sulcata tortoise.
The second question is whether I should buy 1 or 2. I have read conflicting articles that say to buy in pairs or more and some that said only to buy one unless my intent was to breed.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this and I hope you are all staying healthy and safe during this time!

 

[Toddrickfl1]

Those torts are Pyramiding awfully. No way I'd buy a Tortoise from that breeder.

 

[Yvonne G]

Just to expand a little on Todd's statement - because they are SO pyramided at such a young age, there's a real possibility their internal parts have been damaged. Being raised too dry, as is evidenced by the pyramiding, causes more problems than cosmetic.

Unless you have room and money enough to set up two separate enclosures, don't get two. Tortoises are solitary, territorial animals and will fight to chase other tortoises away.

 

[Ranger406]

Those torts are Pyramiding awfully. No way I'd buy a Tortoise from that breeder.

Thank you very much for your response!

 

[Ranger406]

Just to expand a little on Todd's statement - because they are SO pyramided at such a young age, there's a real possibility their internal parts have been damaged. Being raised too dry, as is evidenced by the pyramiding, causes more problems than cosmetic.

Unless you have room and money enough to set up two separate enclosures, don't get two. Tortoises are solitary, territorial animals and will fight to chase other tortoises away.

Thank you so much for your response and information! I will definitely keep that in mind for my search! Do you all have any recommendations for reputable breeders?

 

[Tom]

An important thing to understand is that very few breeders start this species correctly. I know of four. That's it. Almost everyone starts them too dry, houses them outside all day, doesn't soak them often enough, and doesn't introduce the right foods or enough variety of foods. Its terribly sad, but that is just how it is right now. I hope things get better as time passes.

Along with this sad situation, more of the "research" people do leads them to this same old, wrong info on sulcata care. Anyone telling you to get two doesn't know what they are talking about, and can't be trusted as an information source. I would refuse to sell two to a single buyer, unless they were going to be housed separately. Groups can usually work, but not pairs.

Here is the correct care info:

Beginner Mistakes

To comment on Tom's article, go here: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-split-Beginner-Mistakes#axzz1tG8s05M5 Over the years many of us, myself included, have made many of these mistakes, and we have certainly seen them made many times by others. With springtime upon us and many new...

tortoiseforum.org

How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0

It's been three years since the original care sheet, http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-63788.html , and I think its time for a review and an update. A lot of new info has come to light over the last three years and new insight has been gained through numerous experiences. What follows is my...

tortoiseforum.org

For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata...

Over and over I type up and answer diet questions and try to get people feeding the right stuff, but I find that the "norm" is grocery store food. Grocery store food is expensive, a hassle to obtain, and very low on the list of what is best for sulcatas. These tortoises are GRASS eaters. From...

tortoiseforum.org

Reputable breeders that will be able to sell you a healthy baby:
Me. I have a bunch hatching right now.
@Markw84 Mark
@Lancecham Lance
@Arizona Sulcata Austin

If anyone reading this knows of other breeders that start babies in warm humid indoor enclosures, soak daily, and offer a wide variety of foods, please message me with their contact info. I'd like to add them to the list.


Here is what can happen when they are started too dry:

"Hatchling Failure Syndrome"

I've heard this term for many years and I don't like it. Its a way to excuse our ignorance and failure. I will agree that an occasional hatchling is born that is just not going to make it no matter what anybody does, but MOST of them, if they make it full term and hatch, SHOULD survive and...

tortoiseforum.org

By contrast, here is how they should be started:

How To Incubate Eggs And Start Hatchlings

I put my eggs in a plastic shoe box with a lid on it and put the shoe box in the incubator. You can drill a couple of very small holes around the top of the container, but not on the lid. I use vermiculite as an incubation media. I mix it in a 1 : 1 ratio with water by weight for Sulcatas and...

tortoiseforum.org

The two above threads will help you understand what questions to ask of any breeder you find. Questions and conversation are welcome.

 

[Markw84]

I agree totally with what has been said so far. These tirtoises have extreme pyramiding and are fairly small for 1 year olds. Those tortoises are not 5.5”. If you look, they are perhaps the size of the width of the hand holding them at most. Just for comparison here’s a picture today of some 5 month olds I have Notice the dark area of growth between the original scute centers it is about the same width as the ones in your picture it is also flat and level - no pyramiding