Help! Is this my sulcata tortoise? If so, any ideas on how I can get her back?

[jwang]

Hi, all,

I'm a longtime lurker and owner of a 9yo sulcata tortoise, Strawberry. I'm involved in tortoise drama, somehow. Strawberry got out of our yard a week ago, and a few days ago, a woman in my town posted on Facebook saying that she had found a tortoise. The picture she posted looks just like Strawberry, in my opinion. She refuses to let me see her, however, arguing that there's "no way" a tortoise could walk a mile away from my home, which is where she found her. Her only source seems to be Google, as far as I can tell, but she's certain that the owner must live on her block, and no amount of info I send her will convince her otherwise. On Facebook, other sulcata tortoise owners chimed in to say that they absolutely can show up a mile away, but she has ignored all of us. I would love the opportunity to just see the tortoise in person and decide for myself, but she says no. It's...just really weird, to be honest. I feel like the normal thing to do when you find a lost pet is...let people who have lost a pet come see if the one you have is theirs? I told her the pics look like Strawberry, but all she said was, "they all look the same".

A police officer went over to her house today and said that he couldn't tell whether Strawberry was the same tortoise as the one the woman has or not, and so there was no way to prove that she was or wasn't. (All I have is photos; she doesn't have a tag.) I would love any opinions you have. Am I right/wrong? If right, what can I do? Is there any expert I could talk to who might have some more sway than me? Do you see identifying marks that a lay police officer might be persuaded by?

Thanks so much.

Here are some pics of the tortoise she has:




And here are a few of Strawberry:

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Maybe you can carefully examine the photos of Strawberry you have to find any remarkable shell/scales damage/scars/chips/colored spots. Then ask the woman to send you photos where these markings can be seen.

I see some similar wear on the left first costal scute, for example.

But maybe she just expects a big bounty...

 

[wellington]

Wow she's a real B, so sorry. Not sure what is wrong with her, she knows it's not hers.
Maybe offer her 50 bucks if you can see it in person and determine that it's yours.
Maybe suggest to her she reads posts on this forum about how far they can walk in just a day, let alone a week.
Maybe @Tom can help with more info.

 

[wellington]

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[jwang]

Maybe you can carefully examine the photos of Strawberry you have to find any remarkable shell/scales damage/scars/chips/colored spots. Then ask the woman to send you photos where these markings can be seen.

I see some similar wear on the left first costal scute, for example.

But maybe she just expects a big bounty...

I noticed that, too. The wear on the shells seem similar. In the second photo, I think the tortoise she has might be larger than Strawberry, and that perhaps the curvature of the shell in the front isn't the same? But I'm not sure if I can tell scale well from looking at photos taken from different angles...

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm not sure, but it looks like the found tortoise has male gular. Also, from the pictures it looks like the found tortoise has more scuffing on the carapace than Strawberry. Maybe if you have a picture of Strawberry with one of your family members to show her she might be convinced.

 

[jwang]

I'm not sure, but it looks like the found tortoise has male gular. Also, from the pictures it looks like the found tortoise has more scuffing on the carapace than Strawberry. Maybe if you have a picture of Strawberry with one of your family members to show her she might be convinced.

Oof, if I'm wrong, that would be *great*. This person is...a difficult personality.

 

[Tom]

I agree with Yvonne. That other tortoise is noticeably larger and has well developed male gular scutes. Can't be the same tortoise unless these pics were years apart.

They can absolutely walk a mile in several days, but I don't think this is Strawberry. I hope Strawberry shows up. She's a looker!

 

[jwang]

Thank you all so much for weighing in. I'm sad not to know where she is, but grateful just to know for sure.

 

[wellington]

Keep us posted and keep looking. We have seen people get theirs back after months of being missing.

 

[Renee_H]

I'm not sure, but it looks like the found tortoise has male gular. Also, from the pictures it looks like the found tortoise has more scuffing on the carapace than Strawberry. Maybe if you have a picture of Strawberry with one of your family members to show her she might be convinced.

I sadly, have to agree these are not the same tortoise. And so sad two beautiful torts are lost. OP I hope you find strawberry very soon!!

 

[jwang]

Hi, all! It's a little embarrassing, but my wife found Strawberry under our hedge, where she's been the last couple weeks, apparently! I swear we have searched this yard up and down multiple times, but she was here! I'm so glad, but also a little confused. One of the reasons I thought she was gone was that she has a daily routine (out in the late morning to early afternoon, then back to bed in her house by late afternoon), and she wasn't in any of her usual spots. I've also stopped seeing tortoise poop in the yard, and usually even if I miss seeing her for a couple days, the poop remains a constant!

I'm near Los Angeles and it's been a hot and dry summer—not reaching highs that are terribly extreme, but I've read that it's been more consistently hot than usual. Was she aestivating, perhaps? Could I or should I support her with some extra food and/or trying to help her hydrate more?

Thank you all so much for your knowledge and experience, and for helping me help Strawberry live her best life! <3 Here she is today!

 

[Ink]

Congratulations on Strawberry returning home. What a relief!!!

 

[ryan57]

I agree with Yvonne. That other tortoise is noticeably larger and has well developed male gular scutes. Can't be the same tortoise unless these pics were years apart.

They can absolutely walk a mile in several days, but I don't think this is Strawberry. I hope Strawberry shows up. She's a looker!

I've got a time lapsed video mile from 3 1/4 mile walks taken yesterday BEFORE the stroll in the park. But today he didn't do anything. They can walk well over a mile in one afternoon and when they're much smaller like 19". Full grown in nice weather, not too hot? Yeah a couple of miles easy. This is first hand experience as an eye witness with video evidence.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

I'm so happy she's safe and at home. Might want to go looking to see if she dug a hole to hide in.

 

[vladimir]

hooray!

 

[wellington]

Wow, yay, so happy. Is it possible some one found her and just put her back in the yard?
Maybe she has a hide she dug down into under the bush?
Yes, I would give her a week at least of daily soaks. Also if it's really hot, run a sprinkler or misters are better and will help cool the area.

 

[Renee_H]

Hi, all! It's a little embarrassing, but my wife found Strawberry under our hedge, where she's been the last couple weeks, apparently! I swear we have searched this yard up and down multiple times, but she was here! I'm so glad, but also a little confused. One of the reasons I thought she was gone was that she has a daily routine (out in the late morning to early afternoon, then back to bed in her house by late afternoon), and she wasn't in any of her usual spots. I've also stopped seeing tortoise poop in the yard, and usually even if I miss seeing her for a couple days, the poop remains a constant!

I'm near Los Angeles and it's been a hot and dry summer—not reaching highs that are terribly extreme, but I've read that it's been more consistently hot than usual. Was she aestivating, perhaps? Could I or should I support her with some extra food and/or trying to help her hydrate more?

Thank you all so much for your knowledge and experience, and for helping me help Strawberry live her best life! <3 Here she is today!

I’m guessing she has a burrow you don’t know about. Lol

 

[jwang]

I wouldn't put anything past her now! This girl has *tricks* up her sleeve! 😂

 

[Warren]

I would suggest you go to the vet's and have a microchip put in Strawberry.