- Joined
- Oct 15, 2013
- Messages
- 9
My s/o has a 13 year old sulcata. He is about 12-14 inches long and weighs approx. 5-6 lbs.
I have questioned s/o about this and he becomes very defensive and says it's not a big deal; explains that Sultan (that's the tort's name) is just small because of his enclosure size.
Which brings me to my next concern. Sultan has two enclosures. One is inside and has heating lamps, etc. but it's TINY and Sultan can barely move at all. When he is in there all he does is ram the door repeatedly trying to escape. It's so loud we cannot sleep.
The other enclosure is out in our backyard. He has been out there for a few months now without coming inside. It's just 4 pieces of wood hammered into a square (about 4 square feet). There's just dirt in it, and a shallow dish for drinking water. It seems way to small to me!(but I know nothing about tortoises) And the temps here in northern California drop very low at night (especially in Fall/Winter). It's been getting down to 40 degrees sometimes! Sultan has no overhead shelter or heat source.
I am at my wits end.
I know my s/o loves Sultan, but I don't feel that he is doing a good job and doesn't have enough time/energy for the tortoise. He works 24-7, we have 3 young children, etc. I have tried to tell him that he should donate Sultan to the local Safari West (African wildlife preserve here in town) but he is so defensive/selfish and says he can't give the tort up.
I then suggest purchasing a shelter, outdoor heating, etc. and he agrees but it never happens :-( Even though I have a terrible phobia of reptiles I feel SO sad for the little guy.
I know I'm rambling; sorry!
To make my questions more specific:
1. is it normal for a 13 y/o Sulcata to be so small?
2. What are the health effects of him staying in 40 degree weather (+rain and wind, etc) night after night with no shelter?
3. How do I convince my s/o to donate Sultan to Safari West where he will have a GOOD life? I want to be sensitive to his feelings, but taken seriously.
Thank you in advance for all of your help!
I have questioned s/o about this and he becomes very defensive and says it's not a big deal; explains that Sultan (that's the tort's name) is just small because of his enclosure size.
Which brings me to my next concern. Sultan has two enclosures. One is inside and has heating lamps, etc. but it's TINY and Sultan can barely move at all. When he is in there all he does is ram the door repeatedly trying to escape. It's so loud we cannot sleep.
The other enclosure is out in our backyard. He has been out there for a few months now without coming inside. It's just 4 pieces of wood hammered into a square (about 4 square feet). There's just dirt in it, and a shallow dish for drinking water. It seems way to small to me!(but I know nothing about tortoises) And the temps here in northern California drop very low at night (especially in Fall/Winter). It's been getting down to 40 degrees sometimes! Sultan has no overhead shelter or heat source.
I am at my wits end.
I know my s/o loves Sultan, but I don't feel that he is doing a good job and doesn't have enough time/energy for the tortoise. He works 24-7, we have 3 young children, etc. I have tried to tell him that he should donate Sultan to the local Safari West (African wildlife preserve here in town) but he is so defensive/selfish and says he can't give the tort up.
I then suggest purchasing a shelter, outdoor heating, etc. and he agrees but it never happens :-( Even though I have a terrible phobia of reptiles I feel SO sad for the little guy.
I know I'm rambling; sorry!
To make my questions more specific:
1. is it normal for a 13 y/o Sulcata to be so small?
2. What are the health effects of him staying in 40 degree weather (+rain and wind, etc) night after night with no shelter?
3. How do I convince my s/o to donate Sultan to Safari West where he will have a GOOD life? I want to be sensitive to his feelings, but taken seriously.
Thank you in advance for all of your help!