SulcataNewbie2014
New Member
Can Sulcatas get back up in case they manage get themselves upside down? Is this harmful? Should I help them back up immediately or let them figure it out? What should I do?
Upside down sulcata
- Thread starter SulcataNewbie2014
- Start date
It is very dangerous. Some will let them try to figure out how to right themselves. I with my torts, not sulcatas, will not take that chance.
If it were my tortoise, I'd *carefully* flip them back over. You don't want to cause any torsional stress on their insides. Afterwards, I'd give the tortoise a nice, comfy soak in case the tortoise flailed and urinated while in a panicked state. Flips are especially dangerous when under basking areas and I wouldn't risk letting the tortoise "figure it out on his own".
Also, find where the flipping hazard occurred and fix it so it doesn't happen again. Mine flipped maybe 3 times before they realized they should probably stop.
Also, find where the flipping hazard occurred and fix it so it doesn't happen again. Mine flipped maybe 3 times before they realized they should probably stop.
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- Joined
- Oct 28, 2012
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- 13,437
Flip them back upright . The can die if they can't right themselfs .
I don't like to use the word 'flip.' It makes it sound like you can be rough and flip the tortoise like flipping a coin. Don't 'flip' the tortoise, but very gently turn the tortoise back over. If he can't get back over by himself after a couple of tries, I always help him.
RussianRoulette
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- Joined
- Jun 1, 2014
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- 27
My sulcata is endlessly flipping himself even with obstacles removed he finds some way to do it and always gets back up. I've only had to help him up three times. I do worry that he may do it when I'm not there, or under his heat lamp or something but right now he seems very capable of helping himself.
I have never seen my sulcata flip over. But if I did, I would help her (turn) back over! They can get cooked in the hot sun, or get too tired to move and die...
alfredho1983
New Member
How if the owner not around.... Or when they are in wild?
Obviously keepers cant always be around 24/7 chances are they probably will figure it out on their own.. but if u are around there is no need to watch them struggle. A large percentage of babies in the wild dont make it for various reasons.. in captivity we give them a constant stable environment to void out those struggles
I'm kinda thinking if the owner is not around, he can't do anything. Really
. . . and then they die!
I love ya weirdo, you crack me up
I used to keep a 100+ pound Sulcata. I came home from somewhere, and Bob was on his back not moving. In a circle around him was evidence that he struggled for some time.. I had been gone for 3 hours, and it looks like he was like this for some time. Also he had urinated and pooped massive amounts and it was all over him. I started to cry and tried to bring him back to life. Anyhow, soon he opened his eyes and I saw he wasn't dead. At that time I weighed 118 lbs, and I struggled to slowly turn him over, no easy task and when I had him up on his side , he plopped over and landed with a THUD! OMG, scared the crap outa me. What a violent horrible site to see that happen to something you love.
The day before I was to leave for my sisters' in California I was taking my neighbor around to show her the animals and give info on their care. We walked up to the first table and there under the light upside down under the CHE, my only Eastern box turtle so hot I cannot believe she didn't catch fire.
The day before I was to leave for my sisters' in California I was taking my neighbor around to show her the animals and give info on their care. We walked up to the first table and there under the light upside down under the CHE, my only Eastern box turtle so hot I cannot believe she didn't catch fire.
