Found this tortoise along a 4 lane road in Minnesota. Help!

[aaronbwca]

Hi all, I found this tortoise along side a busy 4 lane road in Minnesota yesterday. Obviously it's not native so my plan is to try to find the owner although I'm guessing someone just irresponsibly let it go. I have kept turtles in the past but never a tortoise. I could use some help on identify it as well what I should be feeding it and such. I threw some dandelion greens from my yard (I don't use chemicals) but he has not ate anything. It has some pyramiding other than that it appears to be healthy. I do not have a vet in my area that sees turtles and tortoises.

http://imgur.com/knPUcgV
http://imgur.com/QbOdRBb
http://imgur.com/lbkvxId

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi. . . Welcome. . . And, GOOD SAVE!!

It's a sulcata. The dandylion greens are fine, along with grass and other edible weeds.

 

[Tom]

Hi all, I found this tortoise along side a busy 4 lane road in Minnesota yesterday. Obviously it's not native so my plan is to try to find the owner although I'm guessing someone just irresponsibly let it go. I have kept turtles in the past but never a tortoise. I could use some help on identify it as well what I should be feeding it and such. I threw some dandelion greens from my yard (I don't use chemicals) but he has not ate anything. It has some pyramiding other than that it appears to be healthy. I do not have a vet in my area that sees turtles and tortoises.

http://imgur.com/knPUcgV
http://imgur.com/QbOdRBb
http://imgur.com/lbkvxId

Hello and welcome.

Thanks for saving this tortoise. This is likely someone's pet that escaped. They are probably desperately trying to locate it.

This is a tropical species and they need warmth day and night in order to digest their food and remain healthy. Here is some care info to help you better understand their needs while this tortoise is in your care:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[Jbrez]

Where in Minnesota, I live by Rochester.

 

[aaronbwca]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have lost and found ads out on Craigslist so far. I tossed some more fresh dandelion leaves and grass clippings in although it doesn't seem interested in eating. I will need to figure something out for water as well as a large enclosure and some sort of heat lamp.

Jbrez, I actually found it in Rochester near the intersection of 40th st SW and 11th st SW.

 

[Jbrez]

You could also try posting on Facebook in SE MN Lost/found pet page!

 

[aaronbwca]

Good idea, I'll be doing that! If no one claims it to you have any interest in it? I think turtles and tortoises are sweet and would keep it if it stayed small but I'm not sure it would fly with the other half considering it gets 100+ pounds and needs a very large indoor enclosure.

 

[Jbrez]

If you need help let me know.

 

[Jbrez]

I'll ask around to see if anyone is available to foster.

 

[aaronbwca]

Thanks Jbrez. I may be able to care for it but would probably need some assistance getting something set up. Right now I have it in a dog kennel. Not sure what I would use or build for something that get's so big.

 

[Jbrez]

How big is it right know.

 

[aaronbwca]

I have not measured but I would guess about 8-10 inches.

 

[Elizabeth Tully]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have lost and found ads out on Craigslist so far. I tossed some more fresh dandelion leaves and grass clippings in although it doesn't seem interested in eating. I will need to figure something out for water as well as a large enclosure and some sort of heat lamp.

Jbrez, I actually found it in Rochester near the intersection of 40th st SW and 11th st SW.

Organic salad greens from market. Beet greens.

 

[Jbrez]

If you go under enclosures on this site there are a lot of examples. I have a Russian tort . So it's already bigger than mine will get. If nobody claims it and you don't want it we can talk. I have a fenced in backyard, but I would have to build an indoor enclosure for the winter. I have a feeling someone bought it as a hatchling,and now it is to big so they let it loose. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[TammyJ]

Well, he is lucky you found him/her. If it's an escaped pet (more than likely!) hope you find the owner.
Thanks for your caring!

 

[Jbrez]

Did you decide to keep your tort? Hope everything is going good .

 

[aaronbwca]

Thanks everyone for the advice and help while I was caring for this tortoise! I did find his owners last Friday after they saw one of the Facebook posts I had out. It was fun having a tortoise for awhile and may be a pet for me to consider in the future!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

I'm sorry you had to let your new friend go, but glad it's owners got it back.
Well done, sir!