Some Desert Tortoise HUH!

Bambam1989

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Joined
Aug 15, 2017
Messages
3,112
Location (City and/or State)
East Texas
We have all heard the outdated and inaccurate information out there for Sulcatas.
They don't need water, it comes from their food!
Don't soak them, it will rot their shells!
Humidity and moisture will cause respritory problems!
And that is only a few things that I've heard.
Why do I bring this up?
I was at a recently opened petstore, scoping it out- and they had a hatchling Sulcata...
You can imagine what his enclosure looked like- 10gallon tank, rabbit pellets bedding, no hide, a pile of what looked like iceburg lettuce in a corner..
There was a young woman talking to the employee about the "adorable turtle". He was telling her about "care requirements".
Let's just say my temper got the better of me as I over heard some of it.
"He'll stay small as long as you don't feed him much and keep him in small cage."
"Water is not good for them since they come from the desert" and so on.
I stepped right up to them. Told them I had a sulcata, whipped out my phone and showed them pictures. The employee responded with a "wow that is a very healthy Tortoise!"
... I then commenced to explaining how and why he was not giving good information (it was more like a rant), what needed to be changed and so on.
I turned to the lady and explained to her what "hatchling failure syndrome" was and what causes it. The tort would maybe live a few more months before dying I explained and pointed out how it already had deeply sunken eyes from dehydration.
Looking back I probably could have handled the situation a little more delicately, but I am positive I got my point across.. the woman did not buy the tort, and it turns out the owner of the store was in the back. I got to give my whole speech to him, who said that they had been following the BREEDERS instructions! I told him about how an unfortunate amount of breeders were misinformed themselves and using old methods that have been proven to be wrong. I admit his expression was quite priceless...

One of the pics I showed was from Clunker's hour long bath yesterday.. an hour long because he just lounges in it with NO interest in getting out.
Some Desert tortoise..

*I guess this was technically a ranting thread, I apologise.. but I had to get it out of my system*IMG_20180123_094713940.jpg
 

CarolM

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2017
Messages
19,492
Location (City and/or State)
South Africa - Cape Town
We have all heard the outdated and inaccurate information out there for Sulcatas.
They don't need water, it comes from their food!
Don't soak them, it will rot their shells!
Humidity and moisture will cause respritory problems!
And that is only a few things that I've heard.
Why do I bring this up?
I was at a recently opened petstore, scoping it out- and they had a hatchling Sulcata...
You can imagine what his enclosure looked like- 10gallon tank, rabbit pellets bedding, no hide, a pile of what looked like iceburg lettuce in a corner..
There was a young woman talking to the employee about the "adorable turtle". He was telling her about "care requirements".
Let's just say my temper got the better of me as I over heard some of it.
"He'll stay small as long as you don't feed him much and keep him in small cage."
"Water is not good for them since they come from the desert" and so on.
I stepped right up to them. Told them I had a sulcata, whipped out my phone and showed them pictures. The employee responded with a "wow that is a very healthy Tortoise!"
... I then commenced to explaining how and why he was not giving good information (it was more like a rant), what needed to be changed and so on.
I turned to the lady and explained to her what "hatchling failure syndrome" was and what causes it. The tort would maybe live a few more months before dying I explained and pointed out how it already had deeply sunken eyes from dehydration.
Looking back I probably could have handled the situation a little more delicately, but I am positive I got my point across.. the woman did not buy the tort, and it turns out the owner of the store was in the back. I got to give my whole speech to him, who said that they had been following the BREEDERS instructions! I told him about how an unfortunate amount of breeders were misinformed themselves and using old methods that have been proven to be wrong. I admit his expression was quite priceless...

One of the pics I showed was from Clunker's hour long bath yesterday.. an hour long because he just lounges in it with NO interest in getting out.
Some Desert tortoise..

*I guess this was technically a ranting thread, I apologise.. but I had to get it out of my system*View attachment 228448
Good for you. I hope they listened and are changing things for the better for that little hatchling. You go girl. I know this is not the CDR but 100 points for you.[emoji6]
 

Bambam1989

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Joined
Aug 15, 2017
Messages
3,112
Location (City and/or State)
East Texas
Good for you. I hope they listened and are changing things for the better for that little hatchling. You go girl. I know this is not the CDR but 100 points for you.[emoji6]
Thanks Carol... I hope they listen too. From what I could tell of the rest of their animals, they were taken good care of.
 

CarolM

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2017
Messages
19,492
Location (City and/or State)
South Africa - Cape Town
Thanks Carol... I hope they listen too. From what I could tell of the rest of their animals, they were taken good care of.
Holding thumbs. It would be nice to have one pet shop who manages to look after their tortoises correctly and makes sure their babies come from good breeders who start their hatchlings the correct and updated way.
 

Bambam1989

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2017
Messages
3,112
Location (City and/or State)
East Texas
Holding thumbs. It would be nice to have one pet shop who manages to look after their tortoises correctly and makes sure their babies come from good breeders who start their hatchlings the correct and updated way.
Agreed!
 

Hutsie B

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2013
Messages
471
Location (City and/or State)
NC
good for you! Maybe some people learned some good things from you and that baby has a chance.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,265
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Everybody has to deliver this message in their own way, but I wish more people would take the time to deliver it. Sometimes the people don't want to hear it, but they still need to. They might dismiss it the first few times they hear it, but if they keep hearing it over and over again, eventually it will begin to sink in.

I commend your efforts.
 

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