Fairly New Sully Owner

[Sonny Martinez]

My Family & I have had this Sully for a Year now. I have read a ton of stuff on line. For the most part he has been very good & healthy. But I'm sure a lot of you guys would be able to tell me more. In your opinion how does he or she look to you. And do you have any suggestions!


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Sonny

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Sonny, and welcome to the Forum!!

See? This is why I don't like to use nick-names for species. Are you saying that your turtle's name is "Sully?" or are you saying that the species of tortoise in the picture is a "sully" or sulcata? Because what you have pictured is a three toed box turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis) that has not had the best of care and is quite deformed. Probably suffering from metabolic bone disease (MBD).

Its good that you've joined the Forum. We have many good box turtle keepers here and we're happy to help you change the way you care for your little turtle.

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This is what a healthy three-toed box turtle is supposed to look like:

http://www.inkart.net/illustration/wildlife/three_toed_box_turtle/

 

[Sonny Martinez]

Yvonne,

Thank you very much for your quick response. I am at shock. Maybe the reason for the deformity is because I was told by the person I bought it from as we'll as 2 pet stores that it was a Sulcatta tortoise. So I've been caring and feeding it as a Sulcatta tortoise for over a year now. I'm a little upset but more concerned for the well being of my turtle. Can you please advise me on how to fix these problems immediately. Funny thing is, I always thought he looked a lil funny & nothing like Sulcattas that I had seen in pictures. Thanks a lot once again.


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Sonny

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome. So sorry for the very bad and wrong advice you got. It's really not surprising, unfortunately. I don't care for boxies, but there are quite a few members that do and should be able to help you. Good luck and hopefully you will get the correct advice for his care soon. Again, I am sorry. Good luck.

 

[Sonny Martinez]

Thank you all! I appreciate all your help! I will keep you posted on how things go.


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Sonny

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Sonny:

Well, for starters, the diet for box turtles is totally different from a sulcata diet. If you've been offering grasses, weeds and leafy greens, I surprised your little guy hasn't starved to death. Box turtles eat a lot of fruit, some veggies (or what we think of as veggies but are really fruit - tomatoes, cucumber, zucchine, etc.), and animal protein...lots of animal protein. Most young box turtles eat more worms, crickets, chicken, etc. than veggies.

You've got to get some calcium and d3 into this turtle to get her shell and bones into shape. She'll always look deformed, but you can cure the MBD by offering calcium with d3 supplements over her food along with more animal protein.

They also like a more humid environment. My box turtles sit in their water frequently. They love the water.