A new tortoise lover for life!

Jlsretics

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Back in July I rescued a 5 year old, about 20 lb male Sulcata. I have kept and bred reticulated pythons since mid 90s and had never before even considered getting a tortoise, so the plan was to find him a good home. The first time that he climbed on my lap while I was sitting on the floor and fell asleep I knew that he wasn't going anywhere!! I am amazed at how intelligent and friendly he is. I took him to a quality reptile vet and got him a full checkup,.including blood work. He got a clean bill of health and has put on about.5 lbs since July now that he is getting better care. I have done a lot of research to make sure that I am caring for Poopy McTortoisebutt well!. I love him so much that on October 24th, I added a baby Red Foot. Irma was 30 grams the day I got her and weighed 76 grams on 3/11/2018. This seems to be good growth rate to me. I got so hooked that in 5 years or so I am having a house built on 5 acres with a big greenhouse and opening a Sulcata rescue. My eyes and heart have really been opened to the plight of tortoises and I want to do my part. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. I added a few pictures of my shell family!20180303_174951.jpg 20180303_174951.jpg
 

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Jlsretics

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Yep, Sully’s are like big puppy dogs.
Irma Tortoise, the baby Red Foot, was very shy the first couple of months. Hid most of time and didn't really enjoy touch. Now she loves head pet and will walk around on me for hours! I figure by starting socialization this young will pay dividends with an extremely friendly and social adult!
 

wellington

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Well, the best you can do is to give them the proper enclosure and leave them in it until it gets warm enough for them to be outside. Roaming the floor is not good for the. It's way too cold on the floor, specially in winter. There's too many dangers on the floor to make them sick or die and we have seen it happen already.
Read the care sheets and adjust any care needing adjusting. Oh, and they should never be together as species should never mix.
 

Yvonne G

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You have a lofty goal (sulcata rescue), but I don't know if 5 acres is big enough. And in Chicago to boot. That means indoor habitats during the winter, and separate areas for the ones that fight and don't get along. Good luck, I hope it works out, because it is sorely needed.
 

Jlsretics

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You have a lofty goal (sulcata rescue), but I don't know if 5 acres is big enough. And in Chicago to boot. That means indoor habitats during the winter, and separate areas for the ones that fight and don't get along. Good luck, I hope it works out, because it is sorely needed.
It isn't going to be in Chicago, it will be in Michigan and will have a greenhouse for the winter. There are rescues on much less than 5 acres. Yeah I will only be able to take in so many, but there is a huge need for rescues, especially in Midwest and having another one is a good thing no matter how you slice it.
 

Jlsretics

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It isn't going to be in Chicago, it will be in Michigan and will have a greenhouse for the winter. There are rescues on much less than 5 acres. Yeah I will only be able to take in so many, but there is a huge need for rescues, especially in Midwest and having another one is a good thing no matter how you slice it.
It sucks that there are so many Sulcatas that need to be rescued. If money wasn't an object I would get 100 acres with several greenhouses and never have to turn a needy tortoise away, sadly, money IS an object....lol. These amazing creatures need help from those of us that love them and I am going to do as much as I possibly can!!!
 

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