wanderlust
Member
First, I know this tortoise needs a vet check and I will be scheduling an appointment Monday morning. I'm asking here to learn from others experience and so that those more knowledgable can share feedback on what they think I can improve on.
I bought a sulcata off our local classified site a couple weeks ago. I felt bad for it and its buddies as they were being kept in less than ideal conditions. In the ad they were wanting all 3 to go together which I'm sure would probably have lead to many more years of inadequate care since very few have the proper facilities to raise 3 adult sulcatas.
I'm concerned because while it seems to be defecating and expelling urates regularly, it often acts as if its straining. It pulls it's back legs and head in, makes a horrible noise, and its 3rd eyelid pops out while its pushing.
I've been soaking it in the tub at least every other day. It's now outside each day in an 8' x 4' area (this will be increased) where it has a burrow, gets to graze as much as it wants, and a water dish is always available. At night it comes inside to sleep in a substrate of organic topsoil and cypress mulch. I've spent many hours researching, reading through this website, and am trying my best to give it a healthy home. I used the Tortoise Table website to plant a large pollinator garden consisting of all tortoise friendly plants for him and my two Horsfields.
Prior to me buying it a couple weeks ago, it was kept in a very long aquarium with the two other sulcatas for at least a year. The person selling it for their friend said it was approximately 5 years old. If that's the case, its very small for its age. I measured it a couple of days ago and its 6.75" and only weighs 3 lbs. ?
I know that sex id comes with size and not necessarily age but I'm including some pictures just in case someone has a good guess. I chose this one out of the 3 because I thought the tail vent end of the plastron looked more feminine than the others and its tail was shorter in pictures. Once I got it home, I noticed that the plastron is not flat but I do not have a female to compare it to.
I bought a sulcata off our local classified site a couple weeks ago. I felt bad for it and its buddies as they were being kept in less than ideal conditions. In the ad they were wanting all 3 to go together which I'm sure would probably have lead to many more years of inadequate care since very few have the proper facilities to raise 3 adult sulcatas.
I'm concerned because while it seems to be defecating and expelling urates regularly, it often acts as if its straining. It pulls it's back legs and head in, makes a horrible noise, and its 3rd eyelid pops out while its pushing.
I've been soaking it in the tub at least every other day. It's now outside each day in an 8' x 4' area (this will be increased) where it has a burrow, gets to graze as much as it wants, and a water dish is always available. At night it comes inside to sleep in a substrate of organic topsoil and cypress mulch. I've spent many hours researching, reading through this website, and am trying my best to give it a healthy home. I used the Tortoise Table website to plant a large pollinator garden consisting of all tortoise friendly plants for him and my two Horsfields.
Prior to me buying it a couple weeks ago, it was kept in a very long aquarium with the two other sulcatas for at least a year. The person selling it for their friend said it was approximately 5 years old. If that's the case, its very small for its age. I measured it a couple of days ago and its 6.75" and only weighs 3 lbs. ?
I know that sex id comes with size and not necessarily age but I'm including some pictures just in case someone has a good guess. I chose this one out of the 3 because I thought the tail vent end of the plastron looked more feminine than the others and its tail was shorter in pictures. Once I got it home, I noticed that the plastron is not flat but I do not have a female to compare it to.