Crazy Sulcata Questions

[TigsMom]

I just have to know, how on earth do you weigh a tortoise that weighs more than you can lift? 100-200 lbs and their shape size has to be a serious challenge. They won't fit on any bathroom scale I've seen (LOL). I know the vets scale would work or a freight scale, but how do you get them in the truck to get to a vet? A horse trailer? And just getting them into a vehicle must be an all day job of herding. Perhaps a furniture dolly? Or do you just guesstimate their weights? Perhaps the Vet comes to you and has a hoist scale? Are any of these ideas close to right?

Question 2 - Since they don't hibernate and don't tolerate cold, what do they do in their Warm House when it's cold outside for several days or longer?(Don't you dare tell me they watch Animal Planet on TV, LOL) Do they go into a semi dormant stage? Should warm houses for sully's big enough for them to get a little excercise? I'm seeing Warm houses of all sizes and I know bigger is better, but what size is good? I saw one that looked more like a Guest House I would enjoy staying in. Wish I could find that picture again, it was AMAZING! My Daughter has time to plan it out for her hatchlings, but we'd like to know now so we can plan.

 

[Lancecham]

It is a challenge to weigh my 130 pound sulcata. First, I step on a regular scale and weigh myself. Then I weigh my self with the sulcata. Substract the weight and and you have the weight of the tortoise. It sounds easier than it really is.

 

[TigsMom]

I suppose we could get my Son or someone with a strong back to pick up huge tortoise. I can't lift more than 25 pounds at the moment and 40 was a struggle on my best days. Hubby couldn't do it, he's got a bad back as well. I don't think our Daughter can lift more than 100 pounds. It never occurred to me that other people could or would lift a tortoise of that size. Our vet happens to be an equine vet as well, so I'm sure he'll come to the house if needed. I'll ask him if he's got mobile scale that would work.

 

[Tom]

It is a challenge to weigh my 130 pound sulcata. First, I step on a regular scale and weigh myself. Then I weigh my self with the sulcata. Substract the weight and and you have the weight of the tortoise. It sounds easier than it really is.

This is exactly how I do it too. Or with a vet or freight scale you can high center the tort on an upside down five gallon bucket.

What people do for a night box depends on your climate. If we have a winter cold spell here they mainly just sit in their boxes and wait for warmer weather. They will come out and graze or walk around a bit, but usually go back in the warm boxes pretty quick. Larger tortoises can stay out longer before they get too cold. It does not snow or get all that cold here though. If you live in the frozen north, you'll need a much more substantial winter set up.

 

[TigsMom]

That make sense Tom. I saw your in-ground warm house and read your posts about it. Then got confused and very impressed with the sizes of some of the shed's and that guest house. Thinking that Guest House sized Tortoise Warm House must be in snow country as it had plenty of room for the largest of Sulcata's to move around, hide under a shelf and get excercise too. I don't think one that large is needed here in the low desert of Arizona. Again just planning for the future when the hatchlings can live out side 24/7. We've got some time to plan it out.

 

[Tom]

Most people don't have any need to weigh them when they get big, but I think its a good idea, and I weigh my big ones once a year just to track weights.

 

[TigsMom]

I have a plan.....when someone who has a strong back stops by and has a good back (and are strong). You know they're going to comment "Wow! they're huge! How big are they?", we ask them to assist us in weighing our tortoise/s! I got it! HAHAHA! Note to self, do not ask someone how big or how much a tortoise weighs, you just might get stuck having to help weigh it.

 

[lighthiker2]

Think a basic beam scale: a teeter totter of sorts. start with a long 2x12 on a fulcrum and weights (rocks, cinderblocks) of known sizes. Coax, bribe, herd or otherwise get the sulcata on one end and add the weights to the other end (you probably have a guesstimate to start with).


12 kids
8 grandkids
2 wolves
2 dogs
1 sulcata

 

[Baoh]

My heaviest animal is only my Sudanese adult female, so I generally weigh my adults like her by picking them up and doing the dealio with the human bodyweight scale, but this is a better option.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370727678825?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

[TigsMom]

Thank you Baoh, I had no idea those could be found so relatively inexpensive! I didn't even think to check ebay. (the loud sound you just heard was me kicking myself, lol). I could seriously use one of those! It's going on my list of "want it". It just might get moved to my "need it " list.