I have always researched sulcatas and wanted to rescue the big boys and girls that get too big for their owners. My interest started 3 or 4 years ago, although I've always loved turtles and tortoises. I housed box turtles and painted turtles as kid.
I live in Indiana and know that it is not the best location to own a sulcata, and I have refused to buy a baby because I don't want to promote what I consider a problem, the selling of babies in pet stores. Recently a local pet store had a sign that they had a giant tortoise. I couldn't help but stop and see. They had what they claimed to be a 6 year old female in a plastic kiddie pool. It had some squash and carrots in a dish. I sat and watched the tortoise for 30 minutes or so before leaving. This sight made me sad. I was afraid the tortoise was not being properly cared for, and hadn't been.
The next week, thoughts of the tortoise kept creeping into my mind. I got on the internet, this forum, many other sites, and researched sulcatas even more than I had before. I then decided that this was my time to save one. I drove to the pet store, explained my plan, and brought my tortoise home.
He, not she, is awesome. He showed me his "manly" parts after I let him graze in the yard. He loved being able to graze and roam around without being kept in a plastic kiddie pool. I have built a tortoise table for the upcoming fall and winter. I realize that I will need something larger next winter, if I'm to stay here in Indiana. I may make a move south, for my tortoise!
The tort table is 8 foot by 4 foot with a heat lamp and UVB bulb in the corner away from his hiding spot, food and water dish.
After discovering he was a boy, I renamed him Carl. He's my "son." I'm very excited about this, and hope to save more. He's been eating a lot of dandelions, clover, and grasses in the yard. I've given him calcium about every other day to try to improve his shell. His shell is about 12 inches long right now. But, he's a growing boy, so I'm sure it's getting bigger each day. I'm very excited!
I live in Indiana and know that it is not the best location to own a sulcata, and I have refused to buy a baby because I don't want to promote what I consider a problem, the selling of babies in pet stores. Recently a local pet store had a sign that they had a giant tortoise. I couldn't help but stop and see. They had what they claimed to be a 6 year old female in a plastic kiddie pool. It had some squash and carrots in a dish. I sat and watched the tortoise for 30 minutes or so before leaving. This sight made me sad. I was afraid the tortoise was not being properly cared for, and hadn't been.
The next week, thoughts of the tortoise kept creeping into my mind. I got on the internet, this forum, many other sites, and researched sulcatas even more than I had before. I then decided that this was my time to save one. I drove to the pet store, explained my plan, and brought my tortoise home.
He, not she, is awesome. He showed me his "manly" parts after I let him graze in the yard. He loved being able to graze and roam around without being kept in a plastic kiddie pool. I have built a tortoise table for the upcoming fall and winter. I realize that I will need something larger next winter, if I'm to stay here in Indiana. I may make a move south, for my tortoise!
The tort table is 8 foot by 4 foot with a heat lamp and UVB bulb in the corner away from his hiding spot, food and water dish.After discovering he was a boy, I renamed him Carl. He's my "son." I'm very excited about this, and hope to save more. He's been eating a lot of dandelions, clover, and grasses in the yard. I've given him calcium about every other day to try to improve his shell. His shell is about 12 inches long right now. But, he's a growing boy, so I'm sure it's getting bigger each day. I'm very excited!
