New to Sulcata tortoises

[MrsBruce]

Hello. Me and my two daughters are in the process of getting a baby sulcata tortoise (sry about the spelling ) we currently have two three toed box turtles. Can y'all please tell me what we need ? Can it stay in the same habitat as the box turtles? Any ideas and suggestions would be very appreciated

 

[wellington]

No, he can not stay in the same enclosure as the Boxies. Toms threads below will explain the best set up for a sulcata to grow healthy and smooth.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

No. Mixing species, especially turtles/tortoises is NEVER okay. They can make each other sick, plus they have very different environments they need to healthy. They have different diets, too.
Now, I really don't mean to seem harsh or anything but do you know how big sulcata's get? That cute cup size baby isn't going to STAY that small! An adult sulcata can easily weigh OVER 100pounds, and be over two feet long! They will reach their adult size in a few years. You don't have a long time to 'prepare'. They consume food like no tomorrow, they poop A LOT. They need A LOT of space to roam. If you live somewhere where is gets cold, they need a large heated house. They cost A LOT of money to maintain and keep healthy.
http://www.sulcata-station.org/basics.html If any site is not going to spare you the gross, the gory, the bad details of owning a sulcata, it's that one. They cover every single thing you ever need to know about sulcata's and their extensive care.
Tom's threads are also very good on sulcata care, you can find them in the 'sulcata' section of the forum.
Now, please don;t think that owning a sulcata is as 'bad' as I'm making ti out to be! No,no, they are amazing, intelligent animals that'll win you over in a heartbeat! They are adorable, kind, (despite those occasional 'love bumps') and amazing creatures that'll fullfill your lifetime of laughs and wonder...
Here's a another website that gives you the dirty and the ugly and sums it up all on one page! http://www.turtlerescues.com/sulcata_challenge.htm

Hey, infomercial on sulcata's, thanks!

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome. Are you aware of how large and destructive sulcatas get? They can get more than 30" long and in some cases weigh over 250 pounds. They will reduce any normal backyard to bare dirt in no time and they are big time diggers. Mine use a 22 foot deep burrow all summer long. They dug the burrow... They need a lot of space to roam and they need warm tropical temps all year long, not like the box turtles that can hibernate. And yes, they MUST be housed separately.

If you are ready for all that then here is how to raise them:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

Read this one BEFORE you buy one. Most breeders are raising them far too dry and watching one die months after you buy it is heartbreaking.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/hatchling-failure-syndrome.23493/

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

And finally, what not to do:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/


Good luck and questions are welcome.