What is the legality of keeping a desert tortoises, outside of their natural range?
Someone has approached me (because I'm the local tortoise guy) with two (presumably) WC desert tortoises. Lord knows where they came from. I'm in Alabama and these are not gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)...
Yeah, not a sports fan at all. About as interesting as watching paint drying or growing grass.
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Where might one get a temp probe?
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She was out today as well as yesterday. We actually are about to hit an ice storm, so I decided to bring her in the next few nights.
So I had made the decision to let my sulcata winter in her burrow outside as opposed to bringing her inside. Here in southern Alabama, we don't get too many terribly cold nights where it doesn't get fair back during the day, but January can get pretty chilly (below 20'F at night and 40-50's in...
I just wanted to say that this design WORKS. Even here in southern Alabama, we have had some cold nights below 20'F. And my 4'x'4' box for my adult redfoots stays a nice 66-68'F. Definitely beats bringing big tortoises in every night.
I agree. I see it with dogs all the time, and there's little people can do about it, even animal control, because legally, you cannot question the person about their so-called disability.
[*sigh*] I'm trying to resist a "I told you so" moment when so many members on this board balked at the notion that other species of animals would be brought under fire so soon after giant snakes were thrown under the bus by USFWS.
Now we got parrots?
Slippery slope, much?
The writing is on...
He is doing okay. I have not had an opportunity to give him a warm soak with the hussle/bussle of Christmas with in-laws. Going to try and do so this evening. Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and prayers.
So last night, I had a headache when I came home from work, and coupled with the typical stress of helping the wife with getting everything ready for the holidays, I forgot to do my evening check of the pens outside and put the redfoot tortoises in their heated shed. This morning I went outside...
Think of how territorial Russian tortoises and sulcatas can be, bumping & ramming into owners and nipping at fingers when especially hungry. Then imagine how things would be if tortoises could climb, jump around and whip people with long, tails, leaving nasty welts. Whatever you do, DON'T google...
Even if 6.6 million Americans sign an online petition, it would not do anything. This is an issue with animal welfare laws in another country where we have no jurisdiction. I'm sure HSUS and PETA have contacted the right people, but let's face it folks: that country is going to have to change...
Never any personal experience but all I know is that they can be fiesty and they eat snails...and they're expensive. Have you kept lizards before? Caiman lizards aren't exactly for beginners.
I apologize if I came across as brash with the bigotry comment. I admit I do not watch this show myself [don't own TV] but when I do, it is one I enjoy. It is a show that for once, demonstrates wholesome family values and has no profanity, sexual content, drug/alcohol abuse, etc. Shoot, there...
Well, they can't be that illiterate as the son Willie took the company to a multi-million dollar level.
Have to say, I kinda take offense to those here who are hatin' on the hillbillies and the rednecks. Bigotry much?
Letting sulcata winter in burrow?
UPDATE: Well more of a question...
The weather is getting cooler now, and I'm debating whether I should just let her stay in her burrow for the duration of what we loosely refer to as a winter in lower Alabama. There are a few weeks where it may get below...