Hello from Germany (sulcata owner with many questions :))

Lori81

New Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
Germany
Dear tortoise lovers,

my name is Leonie, I am a 36 year old mommy and live in sweet rainy Germany together with an arc of pets.
I have four hermanni tortoises (eastern sub species, boettgeri) and, since 6 weeks, a baby sulcata.
First I have to excuse my English... I understand quite a lot but I think I do a lot of grammar mistakes; I've only had one year English at school and that was loooong ago - sorry!

It took a while until I was able to live my dream of a sulcata tortoise: Now, finally, I live in a big house with a nice garden and two empty garages that could be a good winter house for my sulcata.

My first experience was, I am afraid, not a good one: I bought my little Sulcata from a trader in my region. Two days later was clear: The baby which we called "Mikesh McMau" was sick, really sick.
I took him to the vet, a specialist for reptiles with the focus on tortoises. The little sulcata was affected by (with?) parasites, had an infection that was treated with antibiotics, and, the bottom side of his carapax was too soft.
Before the purchase I informed myself about what these little tortoises need and I think I did not make many mistakes that could have caused the problems Mikesh had. The vet also said Mikesh must have been sick at the time I got him.

Now, six weeks later, the little guy feels much better: He does no longer hide from sunlight, he walks around and eats. His most favourite food are maulberry leaves - I wonder how much such a little creature can eat.
Unfortunately the sorrow doesn't end: Mikesh does not increase in weight and size.
Here in Germany we have a specialist for sulcatas who is very experienced with handling those little guys. He wrote an article about known issues of growth problems with sulcatas. There are said to be 5 year old sulcatas with a weight of only 300 grams. Mostly those animals doesn't survive the first years of their lifes and I fear, my baby could have this problem :-( I can't tell you how many tears we have cried. All we can do is to care about the little one and make his life as nice as it can be.
Our vet does not believe in growth problems of any kind but I have heared about it that often that it is hard for me not to believe...

We do not know exactly how old Mikesh is: We only know he must be older than six months, but how old exactly is unknown. At the moment he only weighs 58 grams...

At the moment I think about buying a second sulcata. My vet says a second tortoise of the same species could help Mikesh eat better. I have heared several meanings about it: Some people say it is a great idea some others say the opposite. What about you? I would be very happy to hear what you think about it!

Last but not least I want to show you a picture of my little boy (or girl - we decided for boy at the moment and wait for the surprise :) having breakfast:

LittleMicky.JPG


Thank you very much for your patience with me and my English!

Greetings,

Leonie
 

Tidgy's Dad

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2015
Messages
48,238
Location (City and/or State)
Fes, Morocco
Hello, Leonie, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and Mikesh McMau.
Do not buy him a friend. Tortoises do not work in pairs, groups sometimes work but not pairs, it would make Makesh more stressed, sulcatas prefer to be alone.
Also have a look at https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
and https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
Which should provide you with plenty of information and diet tips.
Keep with it, if the damage is done, it is done, and as you say you can still make his life as happy as possible.
Hopefully, once he fully recovers from his sickness and the medication, he will start to put on weight.
One of the loveliest people on the forum is my friend from Germany, Sabine.
@Bee62
 

Gillian M

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2014
Messages
15,417
Location (City and/or State)
Jordan
Hi @Lori81 and welcome to the forum. :)

What an adorable little tort Mikesh is. :<3: GOD bless him/her.:)

(Your English is VERY good,don't worry). :D
 

Bee62

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2016
Messages
11,981
Location (City and/or State)
Germany
Hello, Leonie, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and Mikesh McMau.
Do not buy him a friend. Tortoises do not work in pairs, groups sometimes work but not pairs, it would make Makesh more stressed, sulcatas prefer to be alone.
Also have a look at https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
and https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
Which should provide you with plenty of information and diet tips.
Keep with it, if the damage is done, it is done, and as you say you can still make his life as happy as possible.
Hopefully, once he fully recovers from his sickness and the medication, he will start to put on weight.
One of the loveliest people on the forum is my friend from Germany, Sabine.
@Bee62

My dearest Adam, I thank you very much for what you wrote about me. I really appreciate it and I am proud of it. :<3:
By the way it was me that brought Leonie & Mikesch onto the forum.:):):)
 

Tidgy's Dad

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2015
Messages
48,238
Location (City and/or State)
Fes, Morocco
My dearest Adam, I thank you very much for what you wrote about me. I really appreciate it and I am proud of it. :<3:
By the way it was me that brought Leonie & Mikesch onto the forum.:):):)
Ah , okay, i remember you mentioning something about it.
So they know I'm right.:)
 

Bee62

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2016
Messages
11,981
Location (City and/or State)
Germany
Hello Leonie,

it is good to see you here. Welcome to the forum and our big tortoise family.
I wish you and Mikesch all the luck on earth that he thrives and grows.

wit kind greetings
Sabine
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,405
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
Welcome to the Forum!
 

Lori81

New Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
Germany
Awww... thank you very much for this warm welcome! Sabine just told me all people here were very nice and friendly - seems like she is right as in the most cases :)

It is a wonderful feeling to meet people who love those beautiful animals as much as I do!

I wish all of you a nice weekend :)
 

Gillian M

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2014
Messages
15,417
Location (City and/or State)
Jordan
My dearest Adam, I thank you very much for what you wrote about me. I really appreciate it and I am proud of it. :<3:
By the way it was me that brought Leonie & Mikesch onto the forum.:):):)
Nice of you, Sabine.
 

Dizisdalife

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Dec 24, 2010
Messages
1,754
Location (City and/or State)
California
Leonie, welcome to the Forum. No need to apologize for your English, it's great.
 

anita keyes

New Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2016
Messages
8
Dear tortoise lovers,

my name is Leonie, I am a 36 year old mommy and live in sweet rainy Germany together with an arc of pets.
I have four hermanni tortoises (eastern sub species, boettgeri) and, since 6 weeks, a baby sulcata.
First I have to excuse my English... I understand quite a lot but I think I do a lot of grammar mistakes; I've only had one year English at school and that was loooong ago - sorry!

It took a while until I was able to live my dream of a sulcata tortoise: Now, finally, I live in a big house with a nice garden and two empty garages that could be a good winter house for my sulcata.

My first experience was, I am afraid, not a good one: I bought my little Sulcata from a trader in my region. Two days later was clear: The baby which we called "Mikesh McMau" was sick, really sick.
I took him to the vet, a specialist for reptiles with the focus on tortoises. The little sulcata was affected by (with?) parasites, had an infection that was treated with antibiotics, and, the bottom side of his carapax was too soft.
Before the purchase I informed myself about what these little tortoises need and I think I did not make many mistakes that could have caused the problems Mikesh had. The vet also said Mikesh must have been sick at the time I got him.

Now, six weeks later, the little guy feels much better: He does no longer hide from sunlight, he walks around and eats. His most favourite food are maulberry leaves - I wonder how much such a little creature can eat.
Unfortunately the sorrow doesn't end: Mikesh does not increase in weight and size.
Here in Germany we have a specialist for sulcatas who is very experienced with handling those little guys. He wrote an article about known issues of growth problems with sulcatas. There are said to be 5 year old sulcatas with a weight of only 300 grams. Mostly those animals doesn't survive the first years of their lifes and I fear, my baby could have this problem :-( I can't tell you how many tears we have cried. All we can do is to care about the little one and make his life as nice as it can be.
Our vet does not believe in growth problems of any kind but I have heared about it that often that it is hard for me not to believe...

We do not know exactly how old Mikesh is: We only know he must be older than six months, but how old exactly is unknown. At the moment he only weighs 58 grams...

At the moment I think about buying a second sulcata. My vet says a second tortoise of the same species could help Mikesh eat better. I have heared several meanings about it: Some people say it is a great idea some others say the opposite. What about you? I would be very happy to hear what you think about it!

Last but not least I want to show you a picture of my little boy (or girl - we decided for boy at the moment and wait for the surprise :) having breakfast:

LittleMicky.JPG


Thank you very much for your patience with me and my English!

Greetings,

Leonie
Welcome! Sounds like you are an excellent tortoise "mom". I have a 14 year old Russian tort and a 4 year old Sulcata, living in upstate New York, USA.
 

Kennabear914

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Messages
27
Location (City and/or State)
Wisconsin
Dear tortoise lovers,

my name is Leonie, I am a 36 year old mommy and live in sweet rainy Germany together with an arc of pets.
I have four hermanni tortoises (eastern sub species, boettgeri) and, since 6 weeks, a baby sulcata.
First I have to excuse my English... I understand quite a lot but I think I do a lot of grammar mistakes; I've only had one year English at school and that was loooong ago - sorry!

It took a while until I was able to live my dream of a sulcata tortoise: Now, finally, I live in a big house with a nice garden and two empty garages that could be a good winter house for my sulcata.

My first experience was, I am afraid, not a good one: I bought my little Sulcata from a trader in my region. Two days later was clear: The baby which we called "Mikesh McMau" was sick, really sick.
I took him to the vet, a specialist for reptiles with the focus on tortoises. The little sulcata was affected by (with?) parasites, had an infection that was treated with antibiotics, and, the bottom side of his carapax was too soft.
Before the purchase I informed myself about what these little tortoises need and I think I did not make many mistakes that could have caused the problems Mikesh had. The vet also said Mikesh must have been sick at the time I got him.

Now, six weeks later, the little guy feels much better: He does no longer hide from sunlight, he walks around and eats. His most favourite food are maulberry leaves - I wonder how much such a little creature can eat.
Unfortunately the sorrow doesn't end: Mikesh does not increase in weight and size.
Here in Germany we have a specialist for sulcatas who is very experienced with handling those little guys. He wrote an article about known issues of growth problems with sulcatas. There are said to be 5 year old sulcatas with a weight of only 300 grams. Mostly those animals doesn't survive the first years of their lifes and I fear, my baby could have this problem :-( I can't tell you how many tears we have cried. All we can do is to care about the little one and make his life as nice as it can be.
Our vet does not believe in growth problems of any kind but I have heared about it that often that it is hard for me not to believe...

We do not know exactly how old Mikesh is: We only know he must be older than six months, but how old exactly is unknown. At the moment he only weighs 58 grams...

At the moment I think about buying a second sulcata. My vet says a second tortoise of the same species could help Mikesh eat better. I have heared several meanings about it: Some people say it is a great idea some others say the opposite. What about you? I would be very happy to hear what you think about it!

Last but not least I want to show you a picture of my little boy (or girl - we decided for boy at the moment and wait for the surprise :) having breakfast:

LittleMicky.JPG


Thank you very much for your patience with me and my English!

Greetings,

Leonie

He looks just like my baby Ollie! When I got Ollie they told us he was 5-6 months so he’d be around 9 or 10 now and he only weighs 54 grams. C7223CBB-EDD3-472A-8328-CA9D1B711884.jpg
 

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