*Heads up, this is a repost, as I figured this could be applicable to this section as well*
Hello all! As you could probably tell from the title, I am new to the forum and considering buying a Sulcata. As far as introductions go, my name is Mary, and I am currently a college student considering majoring in Zoology/ Wildlife Biology. I have always been fascinated by animals and their environment, and am passionate about giving all of my exotic animals as close to their natural environment I can. I have owned fish, hamsters, rabbits, parrots, hermit crabs, and probably more that I just can't think of right now lol. I am new to the world of tortoises and reptiles, so bear with me
So, as I said, I am looking into buying a Sulcata. I have read all the Sulcata care posts on here that I've found, so I think I have a pretty good understanding of their basic care. High humidity and temperature requirements, closed enclosures, not too much outdoor time for young torts, daily soaks, dietary needs, humid hides, etc. I am sure I will come back with more questions on those topics lol, but for now I have a few specific questions.
For starters, what age do you recomend I buy the Sulcata? I found a reptile store near me that seems very professional and open, with good care (at least, from what I can tell). From what I've learned in my research (thanks guys , I think I want to get the tort pretty young, so that I can raise them under correct conditions (and so I can have them during their cutest stage lol). I'm not entirely sure what age the specific store I'm looking at has, but they seem to be between a couple months old to a few years old. I imagine I could also request a hatchling whenever the next batch hatches. Personally, I think I would enjoy getting the tort as a hatchling the most, so that I could have them from as young as possible and watch them grow, but I don't know if I should get them that young. I know that babies are more fragile and more vulnerable to temperature/humidity fluctuations, with less wiggle room for care. What do you guys think? If I do end up getting a hatching, are there any other things I should be aware of?
Beyond that, how much space would a baby need? I plan on building an indoor enclosure (probably around 4x8, and yes I'm aware that won't last long for a Sulcata lol). Until I finish building the enclosure, could I keep the baby in a bin (closed and with everything they need, of course)? How long could I keep them in there/how long would I have to complete the enclosure? Or should I wait until the enclosure is done before I get the Sulcata?
And finally, how much work and time do Sulcatas require? I understand the initial work of setting up the enclosure, buying the equipment, etc., but beyond that, how much upkeep do they require once everything is established and settled? For a tort that's 5-10 inches, what would my daily routine with them look like? Soaking, feeding, cleaning, outdoor time, etc.? And as they grow, how much more work and upkeep do they require?
For clarification, I volunteer at a exotic bird rescue, and I've decided that parrots are the highest maintainence pets there are lol. I have 4 budgies (parakeets) who pretty much have full reign of my house, and keeping up with them and their needs is pretty much a full time job. So how much work is a tortoise? I don't want to get a pet unless I know I can give them the best life I can, even with school, work, and other aspects of life.
Thank you all so much! I'm sorry this was slightly long-winded, so thank you for taking the time to read all of it lol. I look forward to seeing what you guys have to say!
*Additionally, I forgot to mention in my original post that I currently live in Ohio. I will only be here for a few more years, and I plan to move south. I imagine that I have some time before the tort gets big enough that it has to live outside, but if it comes down to it, I there is a room off the side of my house that is heated, that the tort could have all to itself.*
Hello all! As you could probably tell from the title, I am new to the forum and considering buying a Sulcata. As far as introductions go, my name is Mary, and I am currently a college student considering majoring in Zoology/ Wildlife Biology. I have always been fascinated by animals and their environment, and am passionate about giving all of my exotic animals as close to their natural environment I can. I have owned fish, hamsters, rabbits, parrots, hermit crabs, and probably more that I just can't think of right now lol. I am new to the world of tortoises and reptiles, so bear with me
So, as I said, I am looking into buying a Sulcata. I have read all the Sulcata care posts on here that I've found, so I think I have a pretty good understanding of their basic care. High humidity and temperature requirements, closed enclosures, not too much outdoor time for young torts, daily soaks, dietary needs, humid hides, etc. I am sure I will come back with more questions on those topics lol, but for now I have a few specific questions.
For starters, what age do you recomend I buy the Sulcata? I found a reptile store near me that seems very professional and open, with good care (at least, from what I can tell). From what I've learned in my research (thanks guys
, I think I want to get the tort pretty young, so that I can raise them under correct conditions (and so I can have them during their cutest stage lol). I'm not entirely sure what age the specific store I'm looking at has, but they seem to be between a couple months old to a few years old. I imagine I could also request a hatchling whenever the next batch hatches. Personally, I think I would enjoy getting the tort as a hatchling the most, so that I could have them from as young as possible and watch them grow, but I don't know if I should get them that young. I know that babies are more fragile and more vulnerable to temperature/humidity fluctuations, with less wiggle room for care. What do you guys think? If I do end up getting a hatching, are there any other things I should be aware of? Beyond that, how much space would a baby need? I plan on building an indoor enclosure (probably around 4x8, and yes I'm aware that won't last long for a Sulcata lol). Until I finish building the enclosure, could I keep the baby in a bin (closed and with everything they need, of course)? How long could I keep them in there/how long would I have to complete the enclosure? Or should I wait until the enclosure is done before I get the Sulcata?
And finally, how much work and time do Sulcatas require? I understand the initial work of setting up the enclosure, buying the equipment, etc., but beyond that, how much upkeep do they require once everything is established and settled? For a tort that's 5-10 inches, what would my daily routine with them look like? Soaking, feeding, cleaning, outdoor time, etc.? And as they grow, how much more work and upkeep do they require?
For clarification, I volunteer at a exotic bird rescue, and I've decided that parrots are the highest maintainence pets there are lol. I have 4 budgies (parakeets) who pretty much have full reign of my house, and keeping up with them and their needs is pretty much a full time job. So how much work is a tortoise? I don't want to get a pet unless I know I can give them the best life I can, even with school, work, and other aspects of life.
Thank you all so much! I'm sorry this was slightly long-winded, so thank you for taking the time to read all of it lol. I look forward to seeing what you guys have to say!
*Additionally, I forgot to mention in my original post that I currently live in Ohio. I will only be here for a few more years, and I plan to move south. I imagine that I have some time before the tort gets big enough that it has to live outside, but if it comes down to it, I there is a room off the side of my house that is heated, that the tort could have all to itself.*
