Anna Westphal
Member
Not a big surprise to me, but the needs of a 40 pound tortoise are much different than they were when I got him 2 1/2 years ago at 12 pounds.
I have plans to rebuild Stella da Fella's winter enclosure over the summer. The thing I worry most about is Colorado not being the best environment for him and wondering how difficult it would be to find a more appropriate home or if that's even a possibility. He has to spend most of the winter in his enclosure, which is 10 feet by 6 feet. I know that is not big enough for his needs and can add quite a bit of addition space.
I am not worried about the expense or work to rebuild but I'm coming up on 65 next week and I have to be realistic about my ability to eventually get him back into his temp/humidity controlled area as he gets bigger and I get older. Stella has not ever gone back in his indoor area by himself, so when he's out I have to pick him up and put him in. I can sometimes get him to follow me with a hand signal and a flash of greens, but his outdoor area is quite big and if he's on the opposite side it is a long way to carry him. In general once he's outside and the day is drawing to a close he finds one of his sheltered areas and goes to sleep. Even in the summer here I feel it is too cold for him to stay out at night, so I really need a long term solution. I have moved him in a wheel barrow a couple times but even that will eventually be impossible.
I worry so much about him and want the best for Stella, and I am wondering if there is a better life for him elsewhere and if so how do I find it?
Also, where do Sulcatas go when their owner dies? I don't know anyone that would be willing to take the task on and want to make some provision in my will but don't know what my instructions should be? It is my understanding that rescues are no longer accepting them, but if anyone has any advise I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
I have plans to rebuild Stella da Fella's winter enclosure over the summer. The thing I worry most about is Colorado not being the best environment for him and wondering how difficult it would be to find a more appropriate home or if that's even a possibility. He has to spend most of the winter in his enclosure, which is 10 feet by 6 feet. I know that is not big enough for his needs and can add quite a bit of addition space.
I am not worried about the expense or work to rebuild but I'm coming up on 65 next week and I have to be realistic about my ability to eventually get him back into his temp/humidity controlled area as he gets bigger and I get older. Stella has not ever gone back in his indoor area by himself, so when he's out I have to pick him up and put him in. I can sometimes get him to follow me with a hand signal and a flash of greens, but his outdoor area is quite big and if he's on the opposite side it is a long way to carry him. In general once he's outside and the day is drawing to a close he finds one of his sheltered areas and goes to sleep. Even in the summer here I feel it is too cold for him to stay out at night, so I really need a long term solution. I have moved him in a wheel barrow a couple times but even that will eventually be impossible.
I worry so much about him and want the best for Stella, and I am wondering if there is a better life for him elsewhere and if so how do I find it?
Also, where do Sulcatas go when their owner dies? I don't know anyone that would be willing to take the task on and want to make some provision in my will but don't know what my instructions should be? It is my understanding that rescues are no longer accepting them, but if anyone has any advise I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.