Just discovered Sulcata Tortoises

Now I'm drooling over them. They're like an ancient dinosaur! I like their scales on their front legs. So cute! I'm in love! I'm wondering if I have the resources to take care of one. What's all required for these brutes?

Welcome to the forum, but before you take on a Sulcata, please please do your research. They are a lot of work because of the size they get and for how long they live. Have a great day!

They Are Awesome, and Have Great Personalties
They Get Very Big up to 200 Pounds, So They Can Be Destructive, You Also Need A Huge Yard
Closed Off, and Good Weather they Also Love To Dig & Burrow so Make Sure You Have All The Resources Available,

Heres a Care Sheet For Babys, http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-How-To-Raise-Sulcata-Hatchlings-and-Babies#axzz1V9HIKaIY

They are very cute - but like said above PLEASE do some major research here first. They definitely require a lot of care especially when you get them young. They are very destructive and eat A LOT. Require more than you would think. But if you do get one best of luck - they are a handful!

its contagious!
I know the feeling.. I found them too, and now I have 4. All rescues.. there are many in need. so if you can house one and care for it... then look into rescues.
READ a lot here first.. the biggest expense is the initial enclosure.. then heat in winter...

Good lord man! There are literally books written on this subject. I don't have the time to type out an answer that long... especially at my typing speed.

They need a lot my friend, a lot. I find them to be worth the trouble, and if you set them up right, you can minimize the work load, and expense.

I just hatched 18 babies today. Want me to send you one? Haha.

Good luck whatever you decide.

I am a soon-to-be owner of a Sulcata. (That's to say I don't have personal experience) but I have done a lot of research into these guys. And have gathered a TREMENDOUS amount of information right here, which the internet actually won't tell you... or at least is hard to find.

First off these guys get huge and pretty fast! When you get them as a hatchling they are really cute and fit inside of your palm, but they can quickly grow up to 36 inches fast. They also require SUNSHINE and a large area to roam and these guys love to eat anything and everything.

As a hatchling you'll want to have them inside. I'm in the process of designing mine. There's two options a turtle table, which you can build (There are a lot of threads on here on this subject) or buy an already built turtle table, that won't last as long. Or use a large glass terrarium. I personally will use a 40 gallon terrarium, I am going to use cypress bedding. (You're bedding is important because Sulcatas can develop pyramiding (which again there's tons of threads on here about it and you should read up on this) choose a bedding that hold humidity, which prevents pyramiding)) Speaking of humidity, it's important to soak a hatching 3 times a week. They have to have a hiding spot, food and water dish, of course and also lighting for heat since these guys are desert torts. It's widely recommended to use a Mercury Vapor Bulb on one side to creat a variation in temp. (Again, this is very important and are many threads on here about it.)

There's my brief 101. I know I've left out a lot, but as you browse this forum and talk to owners you'll gain information about it. If you have any questions.... these guys are the one to turn to. So happy reading and keep us posted!

Thanks everyone. Well after reading up on sulcatas, I've decided not to get one. It would be irresponsible for me to get a turtle that grows that large although they are stunning in my opinion. I'm going to stick with my gut...box turtles.

I felt the same way when I met one in person! They are amazing, majestic, curious and very personable, not to mention stunningly gorgeous! To me they are worth the time, money & SPACE!!

CtTortoiseMom said:

I felt the same way when I met one in person! They are amazing, majestic, curious and very personable, not to mention stunningly gorgeous! To me they are worth the time, money & SPACE!!

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That's the most difficult problem I face: Space! My yard is too small and landscaped too nicely for one.

Tom said:

Good lord man! There are literally books written on this subject. I don't have the time to type out an answer that long... especially at my typing speed.

They need a lot my friend, a lot. I find them to be worth the trouble, and if you set them up right, you can minimize the work load, and expense.

I just hatched 18 babies today. Want me to send you one? Haha.

Good luck whatever you decide.

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i want one!!!! lol do you have a website Tom?

I think you made a wise choice, maybe in the future you can revisit the idea of getting one...

dalano73 said:

I think you made a wise choice, maybe in the future you can revisit the idea of getting one...

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I think so too even though it pains me. I'll have to live through pictures that you all post. That's my only good option right now.

Austin

My sullys came to me.. and ive kept them and researched them and Im constantly renovating their enclosure and learning more about them. They are very personable and love the food goddess/god. we have an enclosure as far from the house as possible... they smell like a horse stall. No one tells you that they are still a joy. Mine dont dig deep but there are divots all over their enclosure. As far as pets go.. they are fun and super cute! I call them my little back yard dinos. like everyone else says... the inital investment is the worst part... but if you have a lush landscaped yard... they may have good places to hide and not want to dig
I love my sullys.

Hi Austin:

This is not meant to discourage you...merely to be sure that you have your eyes wide open:

http://www.turtlerescues.com/sulcata_challenge.htm

emysemys said:

Hi Austin:

This is not meant to discourage you...merely to be sure that you have your eyes wide open:

http://www.turtlerescues.com/sulcata_challenge.htm

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Yeah, I saw that too. It, too, helped discourage me from Sulcatas. Now, if I had some acres, I would have a couple! Maybe one day.

Ye speaking of how big sulcata's get ... The women I got mine from didn't think it would be important to tell us how big they grow and wish I had done my research now but I am now attached and love him more than anything! Wouldn't change him for the world just worried about what future brings when he gets very very big