Should I get a sulcata

TheBeeThatISee

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Sup forum. I am a fairly young boy who still lives with my parents. Lately, I have been intrigued by Sulcata Tortoises. My family very recently just moved to the US and we are staying in a temp rental for 2 months, before moving to an about 1-2 year rental, then buying a house (These are all very rough estimates).

Lately, I have been very intrigued by Sulcata Tortoises and have been researching about them. My mother won’t allow me to get a tortoise in this 2 month rental, however there is a chance I would be allowed to get one in the 1-2 year rental. However, I have no idea where we are moving to in the 1-2 year rental, nor the house we are buying.

I have had the risky idea to get a baby sulcata tortoise in the 1-2 year rental which is the period it can still live indoors and letting it grow before buying the house which MIGHT have a yard.

I know this sounds stupid but should I get a baby sulcata tortoise when I move to the 1-2 year rental? Or do I wait until we buy the house? I am very sorry if I sound impatient, which I am (can’t help it), and that I am not treating these tortoises like living breathing creatures, but this is just merely an idea and I would like to sincerely ask you all for your honest opinion. Thanks forum.
 
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wellington

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No, you should not get one until you have a permanent house that you know has a yard big enough to house one. Why would you even think to get one sooner when you have no idea where you will be or what you will have when it will be large enough to be housed outside.
Just wait! They grow fast and in a couple years you will know if you even have a place to house one.
 
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TheBeeThatISee

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No, you should not get one until you have a permanent house that you know has a yard big enough to house one. Why would you even think to get one sooner when you have no idea where you will be or what you will have when it will be large enough to be housed outside.
Just wait! They grow fast and in a couple years you will know if you even have a place to house one.
Thanks man. I’ve had this thought for a while and I knew it was wrong but been looking for an answer to confirm it. Guess I gotta overcome my impatience
 

wellington

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It really would be best. This way if you don't have the room when the permanent residence is bought, you won't have to give him up. Also if you don't have the room for a sulcata, there are others that are just as fun, but not as big you could then get.
In fact a smaller species like the Russian or Hermann's could be had in the 1 to 2 year apartment as they don't need the space a sully needs. They still need a minimum of a 4x8 foot as an adult, but if you got a hatchling, you wouldn't need the adult size enclosure until you moved to the permanent place.
 

SinLA

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The real question is if your parents are willing to make the commitment to keeping it years and years. Even though you are interested now (and even may remain interested!) at some point you are going to get very busy with high school, college, and beyond, and the little one you get now will still need care. Especially if there is a chance they or you will return overseas at some point. If they are not fully on board for the commitment, then most likely it will be joining the legions of unwanted torts on Craigslist.

But owning one isn't the only option. Check out: https://tortoise.org/ttcs/officers.html there is a club based in Long Beach and I'm sure there are plenty of opportunities to learn about them and even meet some there.
 

Sarah2020

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The real question is if your parents are willing to make the commitment to keeping it years and years. Even though you are interested now (and even may remain interested!) at some point you are going to get very busy with high school, college, and beyond, and the little one you get now will still need care. Especially if there is a chance they or you will return overseas at some point. If they are not fully on board for the commitment, then most likely it will be joining the legions of unwanted torts on Craigslist.

But owning one isn't the only option. Check out: https://tortoise.org/ttcs/officers.html there is a club based in Long Beach and I'm sure there are plenty of opportunities to learn about them and even meet some there.
Assuming this is near you. I think this is really worth exploring and who knows could lead to you taking care or visiting other members Sulcatas. In life we all have ideas and interests and maybe this club is a way in without the upkeep. Good Luck
 

Maro2Bear

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Definitely wait at least until you are in some type of permanent house. Then see if it has a large garden and see if you are permitted by the landlord to fence things in and have a large tortoise that will eat all the grass and cause chaos. Honest - wait.
 

ZEROPILOT

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"I know this sounds stupid but should I get a baby sulcata tortoise when I move to the 1-2 year rental? Or do I wait until we buy the house? "


Not stupid at all. It's actually very smart to ask and do your homework ahead of time.
It's a critical part that a lot of people a whole lot older than you have totally bypassed. And jumped right into the deep end.
Stay here. Ask and learn. And when you and your situation are ready, you'll be armed with enough knowledge to be a successful keeper.
Welcome to the group!
 

TheBeeThatISee

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"I know this sounds stupid but should I get a baby sulcata tortoise when I move to the 1-2 year rental? Or do I wait until we buy the house? "


Not stupid at all. It's actually very smart to ask and do your homework ahead of time.
It's a critical part that a lot of people a whole lot older than you have totally bypassed. And jumped right into the deep end.
Stay here. Ask and learn. And when you and your situation are ready, you'll be armed with enough knowledge to be a successful keeper.
Welcome to the group!
Thx for the support, really appreciate it. Tbh I might have jumped into the deep end if I had not sent that post, but you and the other people who replied grabbed my arm before I jumped off the diving board. I’ll continue my journey of gathering info from this forum and hopefully my interest will not dim. Thanks again man.
 

wellington

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Thx for the support, really appreciate it. Tbh I might have jumped into the deep end if I had not sent that post, but you and the other people who replied grabbed my arm before I jumped off the diving board. I’ll continue my journey of gathering info from this forum and hopefully my interest will not dim. Thanks again man.
Tortoises are a long time commitment. This would be a great test for you. If your interest does dim as you say, well then you saved yourself from a getting a long time commitment that isn't that easy to get out of. If your interest hasn't, dimmed, then you will have everything you will need to know exactly what to do and where to buy from.
 

TheBeeThatISee

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Tortoises are a long time commitment. This would be a great test for you. If your interest does dim as you say, well then you saved yourself from a getting a long time commitment that isn't that easy to get out of. If your interest hasn't, dimmed, then you will have everything you will need to know exactly what to do and where to buy from.
Yup, fully aware that they are a test on their own lol. I’ll continue to arm myself with info from the forum. Soon, I’ll post my plan for a sulcata (or Russian) tortoise once I feel like I have enough info so that people can correct it.
 

Tom

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Yup, fully aware that they are a test on their own lol. I’ll continue to arm myself with info from the forum. Soon, I’ll post my plan for a sulcata (or Russian) tortoise once I feel like I have enough info so that people can correct it.
Here are a couple of care sheets that cover most of the available species. It might help to read through how to take proper care of them, so you will know what is involved. The third thread is a whole bunch of useful info that will explain why most of the info you find while doing "research" is all wrong. I recommend reading each thread at least twice.


 

jeff kushner

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I am very sorry if I sound impatient, which I am (can’t help it), and that

Don't ever apologize for this, but consider it a double edged sword....on the one hand, you could get burned by not waiting for the pan to cool, but it will also allow you to experience twice the 'life" experiences others do because you do so much!


Welcome to the club......you got what you needed right off the bat.....I do that with my sweethearts my whole life...
"Hey honey, what do you think about me getting a racing hydroplane to play with on the river?" I knew the "right" answer.....just needed to hear someone else say it! You're catching on quick.....you're either breaking the mold or you aren't that young of a kid. LOL

And don't worry, passion never dies, not even when you get old.....interests change but the inner passion doesn't.


good luck,
jeff
 

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