Hi. I’m 11 years old and have two Sulcata tortoises. So... here’s my story on tortoise forum. I got my first tort when I was 6. As you may be able to guess I had no idea how to take care of her. So, for around six years she got horrible care. Now she is a 10 inch long, pyramiding Sulcata. I hate myself for this. I never new what to do, I should have looked it up. I should have tried harder!
Anyways, for my 11th birthday I ended up getting another baby tortoise. At this time I still didn’t how to properly take care of them. One day though, I had a question for my tortoise. I’m so thankful that I did because after that I stumbled across the forum! There, with the help of you guys, I learned so much about they’re care! I ended up putting my older Sulcata in a 10 by 10 foot enclosure outside! That summer she ate grass. For my little one, I ended up putting him in a large bin. Sadly I couldn’t afford to get UVB bulbs. Yes I know they’re extremely important but no matter how hard I begged my parents they kept putting it off. Eventually summer ended. That’s when things went bad again. I ended up having to put my large tortoise back in her tiny enclosure. I tried so hard to get her back in to a large enclosure but failed. So, it got even worse. As winter came I ran out of grass and weeds to feed them (I live in Utah). I tell my mom over and over to please get some mustard greens and other things for them. No matter what she always comes home with lettuce and cucumbers. Please don’t blame my parents for any of this. It’s completely my fault and even though I’m only 11, I have the ability to take full responsibility and need to start to. They do understand a lot and are willing to help out
But then there’s the biggest issue. I have around $20 in total. My parents owe me money for babysitting and stuff, which would be enough for what I need. Sadly at the moment we are struggling financially. My dad works as a real Estate agent so we don’t have a steady paycheck. Right now all we have the money for is to pay taxes, buy food, get gas, etc... We can’t get anything extra. I’m stuck with $20 and two tortoises in need of so much more than what they have. My dad will probably start making more in the early summer and I will probably be able to get more then. I might be able to alter the diet as long as it doesn’t cost much. What do I do? Maybe does anyone have any extra supplies I could have?... I don’t know, I’m at a complete loss. I’ve thought about I’ve considered giving them away to someone who knows what they’re doing. I just can’t bare the thought. I love my tortoises with all my heart! This entire time writing this I’ve been crying. I really do want to change what I’m doing as I know it is not ok. I guess if you guys really think I should maybe I should give them to someone else. I don’t know what to do. I’m now going to repeat myself because I really do love them with all my heart! Please help in any way. I need to be steered in the right direction. I’m willing to answer any questions you have. Thank you.
Anyways, for my 11th birthday I ended up getting another baby tortoise. At this time I still didn’t how to properly take care of them. One day though, I had a question for my tortoise. I’m so thankful that I did because after that I stumbled across the forum! There, with the help of you guys, I learned so much about they’re care! I ended up putting my older Sulcata in a 10 by 10 foot enclosure outside! That summer she ate grass. For my little one, I ended up putting him in a large bin. Sadly I couldn’t afford to get UVB bulbs. Yes I know they’re extremely important but no matter how hard I begged my parents they kept putting it off. Eventually summer ended. That’s when things went bad again. I ended up having to put my large tortoise back in her tiny enclosure. I tried so hard to get her back in to a large enclosure but failed. So, it got even worse. As winter came I ran out of grass and weeds to feed them (I live in Utah). I tell my mom over and over to please get some mustard greens and other things for them. No matter what she always comes home with lettuce and cucumbers. Please don’t blame my parents for any of this. It’s completely my fault and even though I’m only 11, I have the ability to take full responsibility and need to start to. They do understand a lot and are willing to help out
But then there’s the biggest issue. I have around $20 in total. My parents owe me money for babysitting and stuff, which would be enough for what I need. Sadly at the moment we are struggling financially. My dad works as a real Estate agent so we don’t have a steady paycheck. Right now all we have the money for is to pay taxes, buy food, get gas, etc... We can’t get anything extra. I’m stuck with $20 and two tortoises in need of so much more than what they have. My dad will probably start making more in the early summer and I will probably be able to get more then. I might be able to alter the diet as long as it doesn’t cost much. What do I do? Maybe does anyone have any extra supplies I could have?... I don’t know, I’m at a complete loss. I’ve thought about I’ve considered giving them away to someone who knows what they’re doing. I just can’t bare the thought. I love my tortoises with all my heart! This entire time writing this I’ve been crying. I really do want to change what I’m doing as I know it is not ok. I guess if you guys really think I should maybe I should give them to someone else. I don’t know what to do. I’m now going to repeat myself because I really do love them with all my heart! Please help in any way. I need to be steered in the right direction. I’m willing to answer any questions you have. Thank you.