I've given this a lot of thought. I got into reptiles in the late 80's and early90's when any kind of captive breeding was groundbreaking and worthy of great praise and admiration. This is when I saw and bought my first Leopards and Sulcatas. Up to this point I had been dealing mostly with wild caught russians and deserts that I rescued from certain death and abuse. I was so proud to have these fantastic animals while not depleting anything from the wild or contributing to the bad things that are associated with third world wildlife collection or idiots from the city bringing home the tortoise they found in the desert while driving home from Vegas.
This attitude and way of looking at things has continued and I still feel this way. Possibly even more so now. I found this forum at the Pomona Reptile Show just recently and was elated to say the least. Imagine my dismay at the outright rudeness and hostility for anyone who has the audacity to even consider breeding Sulcatas. Because a few unfit people do not take proper care of their animals is no reason to stop captive breeding of an amazing and beautiful animal. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Where are all of these unwanted tortoises that I keep hearing about? I want them I've got room and resources for them. At the very same show where I found this terrific forum I saw several for sale for a lot of money. There was one small female that I really considered buying for $900 dollars. That doesn't sound like an unwanted animal to me.
Here's where I really get offensive. I think Sulcatas are the best tortoise out there and a great beginner pet. Don't get me wrong, I love all torts, so all you lovers of Redfoots, Greeks and Russians, don't get all defensive about why your species is better. I think they are all great. To me however, you just can't beat the beauty, hardiness, appetite, size and outgoing nature of the Sulcata. People who know nothing of chelonians are amazed at how fast, active and personable my tortoises are and I share their fascination despite decades of being around them. Sulcatas are the easiest tortoise there is to keep healthy. Remember, I've dabbled in all of them at one time or another, so I don't make this statement lightly. My very first chelonian experience consisted of nearly killing my Western Box Turtle due to ignorance in 1979.
I think the problem is that most of the general public think of tortoises as INSIDE pets. They just aren't. Especially the big ones; Leopards, Sullies, Burmese, etc. Even the little species need to be outside as much as possible. Yes, I know, it is physically possible to keep them alive indoors all the time. I, personally, just don't think its right. Tortoises, as much as any animal I know of, need sunshine and lots of space for exercise and movement. I've said it before, I've rescued many reptiles from MBD that had been under expensive UV lighting, but never went outdoors. My sixteen year old Iguana is one of them. If you agree with the premise that turtles and tortoises are primarily an outdoor pet, then your local climate should be playing a big part in which ones you decide to keep. I'm dying to have a herd of Burmese Blacks, but they'd eventually have to live outside and my area is just not right for them. Sooooo, I don't buy any.
I agree that its fine to bring them in at night for safety and cold weather. I agree that babies should be generally housed indoors, but they should also be outside as much as they safely can. I'm trying to imagine how I would manage my torts if I lived somewhere that froze over for months at a time. You'd have to build a big, room sized enclosure to get through the winter and spend a fortune trying to mimic tropical weather.
I'm trying to say that this is a case of people buying the wrong animal for their climate and living situation. This happens with all animals. Does it happen more with Sulcatas? Not that I've seen. RESes, yes. I see these poor little ones housed and cared for inappropriately almost universally. If you suddenly banned the species that you think are the most problematic, the next best one would simply take its place. In some areas they've banned those horrible, vicious, child-killing pit bulls( this is absurd, BTW ) and guess what. Now they have horrible, vicious, child-killing Rottweilers or American Bulldogs in those areas. A far worse problem. I believe education is the best and only cure for such blights. Legislation and bans won't do it. Hostility towards the breeders who you feel are contributing to the problem won't do it either.
I believe those of us that know better have a responsibility to ENCOURAGE and educate new people to the hobby. I sure appreciated it when the vet erased my ignorance and helped me save Tommy Turtle. It built a life long fascination for me. If he had given us the third degree, who knows where I would be today. I REALLY appreciated Richard Fifes Leopard Tortoise book, finally explaining pyramiding (the bane of my existence) to me. I want to breed my Sulcatas and create another generation of tortoise lovers. I just want them, and everybody else, to know how to do it right. It is no different or more difficult than properly caring for any other OUTDOOR animal.
This attitude and way of looking at things has continued and I still feel this way. Possibly even more so now. I found this forum at the Pomona Reptile Show just recently and was elated to say the least. Imagine my dismay at the outright rudeness and hostility for anyone who has the audacity to even consider breeding Sulcatas. Because a few unfit people do not take proper care of their animals is no reason to stop captive breeding of an amazing and beautiful animal. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Where are all of these unwanted tortoises that I keep hearing about? I want them I've got room and resources for them. At the very same show where I found this terrific forum I saw several for sale for a lot of money. There was one small female that I really considered buying for $900 dollars. That doesn't sound like an unwanted animal to me.
Here's where I really get offensive. I think Sulcatas are the best tortoise out there and a great beginner pet. Don't get me wrong, I love all torts, so all you lovers of Redfoots, Greeks and Russians, don't get all defensive about why your species is better. I think they are all great. To me however, you just can't beat the beauty, hardiness, appetite, size and outgoing nature of the Sulcata. People who know nothing of chelonians are amazed at how fast, active and personable my tortoises are and I share their fascination despite decades of being around them. Sulcatas are the easiest tortoise there is to keep healthy. Remember, I've dabbled in all of them at one time or another, so I don't make this statement lightly. My very first chelonian experience consisted of nearly killing my Western Box Turtle due to ignorance in 1979.
I think the problem is that most of the general public think of tortoises as INSIDE pets. They just aren't. Especially the big ones; Leopards, Sullies, Burmese, etc. Even the little species need to be outside as much as possible. Yes, I know, it is physically possible to keep them alive indoors all the time. I, personally, just don't think its right. Tortoises, as much as any animal I know of, need sunshine and lots of space for exercise and movement. I've said it before, I've rescued many reptiles from MBD that had been under expensive UV lighting, but never went outdoors. My sixteen year old Iguana is one of them. If you agree with the premise that turtles and tortoises are primarily an outdoor pet, then your local climate should be playing a big part in which ones you decide to keep. I'm dying to have a herd of Burmese Blacks, but they'd eventually have to live outside and my area is just not right for them. Sooooo, I don't buy any.
I agree that its fine to bring them in at night for safety and cold weather. I agree that babies should be generally housed indoors, but they should also be outside as much as they safely can. I'm trying to imagine how I would manage my torts if I lived somewhere that froze over for months at a time. You'd have to build a big, room sized enclosure to get through the winter and spend a fortune trying to mimic tropical weather.
I'm trying to say that this is a case of people buying the wrong animal for their climate and living situation. This happens with all animals. Does it happen more with Sulcatas? Not that I've seen. RESes, yes. I see these poor little ones housed and cared for inappropriately almost universally. If you suddenly banned the species that you think are the most problematic, the next best one would simply take its place. In some areas they've banned those horrible, vicious, child-killing pit bulls( this is absurd, BTW ) and guess what. Now they have horrible, vicious, child-killing Rottweilers or American Bulldogs in those areas. A far worse problem. I believe education is the best and only cure for such blights. Legislation and bans won't do it. Hostility towards the breeders who you feel are contributing to the problem won't do it either.
I believe those of us that know better have a responsibility to ENCOURAGE and educate new people to the hobby. I sure appreciated it when the vet erased my ignorance and helped me save Tommy Turtle. It built a life long fascination for me. If he had given us the third degree, who knows where I would be today. I REALLY appreciated Richard Fifes Leopard Tortoise book, finally explaining pyramiding (the bane of my existence) to me. I want to breed my Sulcatas and create another generation of tortoise lovers. I just want them, and everybody else, to know how to do it right. It is no different or more difficult than properly caring for any other OUTDOOR animal.
