Possible Sulcata Owner

[Bush Wookiee]

Okay, so I am looking forward to purchasing a sulcata here in a few weeks. I have done tons of research already but have a few burning questions.

1. Would a Sulcata live happily outdoors in Mississippi? Humidity is typically 70% or more. I can make arrangements for winter weather.

2. How quickly will it grow? I'm at home with my parents for two more years and can keep a hatchling indoors, and they will be happy to keep it when I go college.

3. What does the survival rate for hatchlings look like? I can get an adult but it seems they are harder to find and I'd prefer a baby.

I have plenty of space outdoors and am willing and able to spend lots of time on the tortoise.
Thanks.

 

[Tank'sMom]

Are your parents excited about taking care of it while you are in college?? Are going to be far or visiting frequently?

 

[Tom]

1. Should be fine. Your humidity will simulate their rainy season over there. For some reason all the books and websites only talk about the dry season, but they are underground during that time. Don't let your sulcata get cold with high humidity. Remember they are a tropical species and need tropical weather. Read this: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

2. No way to know this. Depends on the source, how well it was started, and how well you car for it. They can easily reach 12-14" in two years. At that size they will be eating A LOT.

3. If they are started correctly survival rate is near 100%. Start them dry, or skip the brooder box step, and the rate drops. Read this:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/hatchling-failure-syndrome.23493/


Here are a couple more threads that will help you:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

 

[bouaboua]

Looks like you get two of the most qualify member answer your questions so I just here to welcomes you.

Good to have you here. Best luck to getting your Sulcata and future.

 

[Bush Wookiee]

Are your parents excited about taking care of it while you are in college?? Are going to be far or visiting frequently?

i shouldn't be too far. They will take care of it along with a dog and gecko.

 

[Bush Wookiee]

1. Should be fine. Your humidity will simulate their rainy season over there. For some reason all the books and websites only talk about the dry season, but they are underground during that time. Don't let your sulcata get cold with high humidity. Remember they are a tropical species and need tropical weather. Read this: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

2. No way to know this. Depends on the source, how well it was started, and how well you car for it. They can easily reach 12-14" in two years. At that size they will be eating A LOT.

3. If they are started correctly survival rate is near 100%. Start them dry, or skip the brooder box step, and the rate drops. Read this:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/hatchling-failure-syndrome.23493/


Here are a couple more threads that will help you:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

thanks a ton, good info

 

[Bush Wookiee]

Looks like you get two of the most qualify member answer your questions so I just here to welcomes you.

Good to have you here. Best luck to getting your Sulcata and future.

thank you

 

[Bush Wookiee]

1. Should be fine. Your humidity will simulate their rainy season over there. For some reason all the books and websites only talk about the dry season, but they are underground during that time. Don't let your sulcata get cold with high humidity. Remember they are a tropical species and need tropical weather. Read this: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

2. No way to know this. Depends on the source, how well it was started, and how well you car for it. They can easily reach 12-14" in two years. At that size they will be eating A LOT.

3. If they are started correctly survival rate is near 100%. Start them dry, or skip the brooder box step, and the rate drops. Read this:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/hatchling-failure-syndrome.23493/


Here are a couple more threads that will help you:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

I haven't purchased a tortoise yet, but I am considering a leopard tortoise due to their smaller size making them a bit easier to take care of. Can leopards handle the southern mississippi humidity that a sulcata can?

 

[Tom]

Some say no, others say its no problem. I know of a keeper in Tennessee that had trouble with leopards.

I suspect if they have a proper warm dry retreat they will be fine, but I have zero experience raising any species in a humid climate.

 

[Bush Wookiee]

Some say no, others say its no problem. I know of a keeper in Tennessee that had trouble with leopards.

I suspect if they have a proper warm dry retreat they will be fine, but I have zero experience raising any species in a humid climate.

thanks

 

[Yvonne G]

Here's an anecdote for you to think about:

Yesterday I received a phone call from a mother whose son has gone away to college. He's been gone 6 months, leaving his three box turtles in her care. She wanted to know if I would take the turtles because it was getting to be too much of a job for her.

So your parents might say they're ok with it right now, but that's because you don't have the animal yet and they don't know what care it requires.

 

[Bush Wookiee]

Here's an anecdote for you to think about:

Yesterday I received a phone call from a mother whose son has gone away to college. He's been gone 6 months, leaving his three box turtles in her care. She wanted to know if I would take the turtles because it was getting to be too much of a job for her.

So your parents might say they're ok with it right now, but that's because you don't have the animal yet and they don't know what care it requires.

thanks, i will think about that and make sure they are up to the task