Beginner

[Amanda81]

Hi. I'm new to this. I am planning on getting a sulcata. I do not have one at this time because I want to learn to care for it before hand. I have been reading almost everything I can find on this and after doing so I have decided the best thing would b to forget what the pet shops and reptile supply manufactures say to do and actually speak to people that are/have raised happy, healthy sulcata tortoise.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello Amanda welcome to the TFO from AZ . Just remember they get big and live along time . Have agreat tort day !


Sent from my iPhone using TortForum

 

[yillt]

Welcome to TFO.

 

[Amanda81]

Oh yes I am aware of this. I have a backyard that's about an acre, acre and half that I am planning on turning into an enclosure once it's big enough and I will of course make arrangements for it's care when I can no longer do so. I an on getting a hatchling and I want to build it a indoor home while it's small. Of course I will take it outside when weather allows, but I have a lot of questions about the proper indoor house for it. I understand the bigger the better and I have an idea of how to make it. My questions are about the lighting and such. Is this the proper place on here to ask those questions?

 

[yillt]

To to enclosure section and in there is a lighting section. I am glad you came on here to research first. Sulcatas can be VERY HARD WORK. But they have great personalitys. When are you thinking of getting one?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Amanda, and welcome to the forum!!

We have a very good article for the beginner tortoise keeper at the top of the http://www.tortoiseforum.org/forums/tortoise-and-turtle-articles.114/ section entitled "Beginner Mistakes."

And then at the top of the http://www.tortoiseforum.org/forums/sulcata-tortoises.88/ section there are several good reads for your perusal. I especially like the one "How to Raise a Healthy Sulcata or Leopard."

Happy Reading! And good job on doing your research prior to getting the tortoise.

 

[Amanda81]

To to enclosure section and in there is a lighting section. I am glad you came on here to research first. Sulcatas can be VERY HARD WORK. But they have great personalitys. When are you thinking of getting one?

I want to learn all the care info, get a enclosure made, set up and stable before I bring one home.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Welcome to TFO!

 

[Amanda81]

Thank you. I have been reading a lot of your post over last couple weeks. I have learned a lot from them.

 

[pam]

Welcome

 

[Amanda81]

Thanks.

 

[Copper]

Welcome!

 

[bouaboua]

Hello and Welcome.

 

[tortadise]

Welcome.

 

[Tom]

Your biggest challenge will be how to house him during your frozen winters once he's too big to be indoors. They are a very active species and they are tropical (meaning they don't hibernate and need warm temps year round). How do you provide a giant walking area that needs to be 80 degrees plus a large warmer basking spot to a 150 pound 30" tropical tortoise when there is snow outside?

That should be the question you answer BEFORE you buy a sulcata baby.

Here are some links for you:
Read this one BEFORE you buy:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/hatchling-failure-syndrome.23493/

How to raise them:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

How to feed them:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

What NOT to do:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[Amanda81]

I have thought about this because he will eventually out grow the house. I have an insulated storage building outside I can set up for him and if that seems like it won't do I also have a spare bedroom I can turn into a winter home for him. I have checked into getting the walls and floors done so it will b tortoise safe. Would one or both these ideas work? I am wanting to figure all this out so I don't get a little guy and get attached and then in a few years have to rehome it due to my ignorance. I am not the type to get an animal and then rehome later on. If I get something I plan on keeping it till death, it's part the family, not just an animal.

 

[DeanS]

Welcome Amanda...where are you from?

 

[dmmj]

Salutations.
Admirable attitude towards, I wish more people had it.

 

[Amanda81]

Welcome Amanda...where are you from?

I live right on the Virginia/ Tennessee stateline, around that area. With dreams to live down south one day. Lol. I hate the cold weather in the winter.

 

[Amanda81]

Salutations.
Admirable attitude towards, I wish more people had it.

Thank you. I take being an pet owner seriously. If I'm going to b responsible for something I want to make sure I am doing the very best I can do. It's not acceptable to just say, well I didn't know any better, and then because of that another living creature has to live in less then great conditions. I try and provide the best living conditions as possible, this is why I want to make extra sure I know and have all the things I need to before I find my perfect little tortoise.