Can you ID? Is this a sulcata tortoise?

[Winzlow]

Hi,

Just joined to see what this fellow is. I came home today, and when I put the trash can behind the house - this guy was there and was eating some spilled dry cat food! In central Florida. I know for sure it is not a gopher - I had those as pets when I was a kid here in the 70s. Can you please ID for me?

Thanks!

 

[Pearly]

Looks like a beautiful sulcata to me. Likely someone's escaped pet who is being missed very much. Cat food is not good for them. They are herbivorous species (grasses, green leafy veggies like collard greens, escarole, endive etc). Give him fresh water in shallow large bowl like shallow plant saucer where he/she can walk in and out. Keep her warm (80 F) and look up Sulcata section for care basics to help you till you find the owner. Thank you for taking your time to research this little "intruder" and good luck

 

[Winzlow]

Thanks for the quick confirmation. We are going to look for lost pet signs and maybe knock on a few doors.
I am not prepared for the upkeep of one of these so must find out where he belongs.
Thanks again.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

+1
Sulcata.
And I agree someone might be very happy to get it back.

 

[Winzlow]

@ZEROPILOT


Unrelated...but noticed the antique Kawasaki logo....whatcha got?
I have a 74 H1E 500....

 

[Winzlow]

 

[wellington]

For sure a sulcata. Good luck finding its owners.

 

[Winzlow]

How old do you believe he is?

Also, we already have a backup plan in case owner cannot be located. One of the wife's friends has a very large sulcata (she also agrees on the ID) and said she would be happy to take this one in...so good news for the turtle either way! I currently have him in a large cardoard box with some hybiscus leaves as bedding. Gave him carrot shavings and romain lettuce (he ate some carrot) - along with a shallow tray of water. It will be in the 50s tonight - so he will be in heated garage at about 75f....

Thanks

 

[Big Charlie]

How old do you believe he is?

Also, we already have a backup plan in case owner cannot be located. One of the wife's friends has a very large sulcata (she also agrees on the ID) and said she would be happy to take this one in...so good news for the turtle either way! I currently have him in a large cardoard box with some hybiscus leaves as bedding. Gave him carrot shavings and romain lettuce (he ate some carrot) - along with a shallow tray of water. It will be in the 50s tonight - so he will be in heated garage at about 75f....

Thanks

The hibiscus leaves make good food for him, probably healthier than the lettuce and carrot. It is difficult to say how old he is since their growth varies depending on the way they were raised. He is at least a few years old. Hopefully, your wife's friend knows that sulcatas shouldn't be kept together in pairs.

 

[Winzlow]

The hibiscus leaves make good food for him, probably healthier than the lettuce and carrot. It is difficult to say how old he is since their growth varies depending on the way they were raised. He is at least a few years old. Hopefully, your wife's friend knows that sulcatas shouldn't be kept together in pairs.

Thanks for the input. I will make sure she does know that they are solitary critters...now I have another friend who wants it too - and he does not have any others (maybe make them thumb wrestle for him)...so one way or another he will have a good home. Just need to be able to care for him for a few days while we search for owners...I feel bad about the cardboard home but believe he is lucky I found him. I will probably have more questions...thanks!

 

[MPRC]

Don't forget to check Craigslist and call local vets and the animal shelter to see if anyone has reported him missing.

Also, if you post him as found on Craigslist don't include a photo - ask people to describe him or share a photo so you can make sure some unscrupulous person doesn't just try to get a free tortoise.

 

[Winzlow]

Don't forget to check Craigslist and call local vets and the animal shelter to see if anyone has reported him missing.

Also, if you post him as found on Craigslist don't include a photo - ask people to describe him or share a photo so you can make sure some unscrupulous person doesn't just try to get a free tortoise.

I like the way you think! I thought the same - just got back from posting some signs on nearby telephone poles...I indicated nothing about the turtle - just that a turtle was found and also stated that to claim the turtle you must be able to describe in detail and ID the brand of turtle.

 

[Taco*mom]

I am glad you found him. He is in a lot better care now. Just one suggestion, use the word tortoise instead of turtle. The owner who miss him may not realize you are posting information about his/her pet.. as turtle usually lives in the water.

 

[Winzlow]

UPDATE:
No luck yet with the signs on the light poles. I placed a craigslist ad:
http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/laf/5922320931.html

I also know now that he is a TORTOISE and not a turtle. He has been eating yellow squash, cucumber, carrot, and hibisus leaves (a lot) and he also crapped a BUNCH...so I think he is healthy. I put him in a kiddy pool with warm water in the sun for a bit.
I then let him wander around the backyard for 2 hours...he seems to be OK....just need the owner now as family is falling for him...

Also, what is the best stuff oput in his cardboard box? Ols leaves? Dirt? Old flanel pajamas?

Help me out here!

 

[MPRC]

Clean dirt, leaves, bark, etc are all good options.

 

[Taco*mom]

Look at you! Way to go, soaking and sunning like a pro. Are you sure you don't want to keep it if you can't find the owner? It seems your family would say yes immediately. You don't have a dog, do you?

Clean soil is good. Just make sure there's no sand in it.. take it easy with the carrot though. A little bit is ok, but not too many. This species doesn't digest sugar properly, so I heard..

 

[C&J]

Look at you! Way to go, soaking and sunning like a pro. Are you sure you don't want to keep it if you can't find the owner? It seems your family would say yes immediately. You don't have a dog, do you?

Clean soil is good. Just make sure there's no sand in it.. take it easy with the carrot though. A little bit is ok, but not too many. This species doesn't digest sugar properly, so I heard..

Hello Taco Mom!!! I am new to the forum and was just wandering around reading a few things and saw what you wrote her- I understand what is best used for substrate but I was just wandering why should the soil not have any sand? Is it that bad for them or why not?

 

[Maro2Bear]

Hello Taco Mom!!! I am new to the forum and was just wandering around reading a few things and saw what you wrote her- I understand what is best used for substrate but I was just wandering why should the soil not have any sand? Is it that bad for them or why not?

Cj, don't want to hijack this thread, but in short, accidental sand ingestion by torts while eating has been proven to cause impaction. Over years it's very bad forctort's health often onlr remedied, if lucky, by surgery. No sand substrate is best.

 

[Taco*mom]

C&J,
What he (Maro2Bear) says

 

[Taco*mom]

Sorry, I meant to say ditto what Maro2Bear says