Hi, new tortoise owner

[tessacat1795]

Hi all. I rescued a Sulcata tortoise today. He was dumped in a tub, along with two Red-Footed tortoises, outside my work. I did some reading online and talking to a co-worker who knows reptiles, and decided to bring him home. Any advice/info would be greatly appreciated. Since we live in southwest Missouri, we are going to keep him inside through the winter. I will take him out as weather permits. We already have UVB bulbs in our light fixtures because of our birds, and fresh veggies and fruit because of them too. Hay is no big deal either, since we have horses and goats. And we have grass again finally. I do not know how old he is or the care he's received, considering the circumstances, but he's around 20 pounds or so. The kids have named him Clark. He seems like a pretty relaxed sort of guy. Looking forward to learning and growing with him.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Welcome!

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome to the Forum Tessacat! Good save on rescuing the sulcata. Where do you work that tortoises get dropped off at your door?

 

[Laurie]

Welcome

 

[Long Island Greek]

Welcome to Tortoise Forum !!! That's great that you were able to rescue Clark please post some pictures of him. Once again welcome to the community.

 

[tessacat1795]

I groom dogs at a pet store. Clark had his first soak today. He seemed confused by the idea. He is eating, pooping, and peeing. I haven't seen him drink yet. I think he has some pyramiding. Maybe you guys can tell me.

 

[Yvonne G]

Wow! Clark's a very nice tortoise. But he really needs a bath. He's very dirty. Get one of those little blue plastic kiddy swimming pools and put some water in it. Put Clark in the pool and just leave him in there. After about 15 minutes you can take a brush and scrub him good. Even the underside. Its ok to scrub his legs and head too. Just be careful of his eyes.


After you have him all cleaned up, turn him on his back and get a couple good pictures looking straight down, including his tail...and we'll tell you if he's Clark or Kelly Clarkson.

 

[tessacat1795]

[attaHere are a fewafter bath photos. And one of his poop. I just want to know if it looks normal.

 

[mainey34]

Nice..what a find. Looks to me likes female. Let's see what everyone else thinks.

 

[tessacat1795]

Nice..what a find. Looks to me likes female. Let's see what everyone else thinks.

Cool! Guess we'll have to re name her. Lol

 

[l0velesly]

Good save!!!

 

[Yellow Turtle]

Hello and welcome! Nice of you to save the torts.

 

[tessacat1795]

What else could we do? And my kids love her.

 

[DrewsLife727]

Welcome! best wishes. Rescues are special guys. Give them a good 2nd chance to life!

-Drew

 

[tessacat1795]

Since I have had a couple of people say Clark is a girl, she has been re-named Myrtle. Here's a pic of her exploring the yard.

 

[shellibelli72]

She is gorgeous! She is lucky to have found someone who will take good care of her.

 

[pam]

Welcome

 

[Arizona Sulcata]

Welcome!