Is it wrong that I...

[Tippiethetortoise]

Is it wrong that I discourage people from getting Sullys? I often get people asking where/how much I got my torts and expressing interest in getting one (or more). BUT I've seen so many rescues that are in terrible condition due to lack of proper care. So instead of encouraging it, I discourage them by letting them know the extensive amount of care they need to grow properly and stay healthy. I'm sure I might be less discouraging if an experienced reptile owner expressed interest in getting a sully, but I would still suggest researching them first. Unfortunately, everyone I talk to has this vision of a giant tortoise that magically grows without any hard work lol. Anyhow, am I alone in this?

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

Is it wrong that I discourage people from getting Sullys? Anyhow, am I alone in this?

I think you're on the right track here. I hatched, with the full intent to sell, 6 sulcata. 1 passed away due to deformities, 1 passed away while I was gone on vacation for a week, ( the care taker hadn't noticed and replied, "Oh, you had 5 in there?" Brushing it off his shoulder.) 2 I did sell to forum members who still keep in touch with photo updates. The final 2 I couldn't part with because I have high expectations of the care needed. That was the only clutch I hatched, or want to take full term for sulcata. So I agree.
1) above all else educate the people. If they are young people, parents must be involved and if the young person plans on going to college, forget it. They can't be left at mom & dad's house.
2) if they are adults people, do they own or rent? I'm buying a house soon won't cut it. Apartment, house soon, nope. Hoping this helps you out with these things…

 

[Tippiethetortoise]

I think you're on the right track here. I hatched, with the full intent to sell, 6 sulcata. 1 passed away due to deformities, 1 passed away while I was gone on vacation for a week, ( the care taker hadn't noticed and replied, "Oh, you had 5 in there?" Brushing it off his shoulder.) 2 I did sell to forum members who still keep in touch with photo updates. The final 2 I couldn't part with because I have high expectations of the care needed. That was the only clutch I hatched, or want to take full term for sulcata. So I agree.
1) above all else educate the people. If they are young people, parents must be involved and if the young person plans on going to college, forget it. They can't be left at mom & dad's house.
2) if they are adults people, do they own or rent? I'm buying a house soon won't cut it. Apartment, house soon, nope. Hoping this helps you out with these things…

Thank you so much. I completely agree, Ken. Mistreatment and neglect are the #1 reason why I have no intention to ever breed. I think that education is the only way to prevent "lazy" (for lack of better word) owners from buying and to help good owners have the right information for a healthy tort.

 

[Tom]

I don't think we need to encourage or discourage. I think we need to be honest about their potential size, housing, care and feeding requirements.

When I asked, I simply explain all that is involved and I let the person decide if they are encouraged because that amount of work seems worth it to them, or discouraged because that amount of work seems like too much for them.

Some people would never want the work load that my sulcatas bring. For me and people who do what I do for a living, there isn't anything easier to care for in the world than a large sulcata here in our climate.

I think discouraging people from joining our ranks as tortoise lovers and keepers is a very bad idea. I think being honest with people and letting them decide if tortoise keeping is right for them is a much better way to go.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

I think discouraging people from joining our ranks as tortoise lovers and keepers is a very bad idea. I think being honest with people and letting them decide if tortoise keeping is right for them is a much better way to go.

I believe the original post was regarding sulcata tortoises specifically, not tortoises as a group. Overall, I'm with you in regard to the ease of care for a sulcata, I just don't know that, "most" impulse buyers realize they can kiss their beautiful suburban backyard of their little pink houses goodbye from these gentle giants. Heckfire, I think a russian tortoise is much easier to deal with, yet also has a much larger demand structure than what a PetCo would advise.
Discouraged from tortoises overall? No. Sulcata's I have to say likely yes. Unless the potential owner has the future laid out and a back up plan for the unexpected interruption of care provided to them by their caretaker…

 

[Tippiethetortoise]

I don't think we need to encourage or discourage. I think we need to be honest about their potential size, housing, care and feeding requirements.

When I asked, I simply explain all that is involved and I let the person decide if they are encouraged because that amount of work seems worth it to them, or discouraged because that amount of work seems like too much for them.

Some people would never want the work load that my sulcatas bring. For me and people who do what I do for a living, there isn't anything easier to care for in the world than a large sulcata here in our climate.

I think discouraging people from joining our ranks as tortoise lovers and keepers is a very bad idea. I think being honest with people and letting them decide if tortoise keeping is right for them is a much better way to go.

Exactly as Ken said. I usually suggest a smaller tortoise with seemingly simpler care, as opposed to the gentle giants that need loads of time and care. Like Ken said, I think a lot of the impulse buyers just see the beauty and not the work, I know I sure did! Thankfully, I did my research and found this great forum to lead me in the right direction, rather than following pet store advice (not that all pet sore advice is wrong). Unfortunately, not all people do their research or listen to the right advice.

 

[Tom]

I don't think we are going to agree on this. I will agree that some people are impulse buyers and don't do their research, but I don't think discouraging them is the answer. If they aren't going to care for a baby sulcata correctly then they probably aren't going to care for any other species correctly either. A neglected or poorly housed russian tortoise is not better than a neglected or poorly housed sulcata in my mind.

In both cases it is my assertion that honesty and education should be the tactic. Not discouragement. Same thing with green iguanas, Nile monitors, Columbian Tegus, etc… I don't tell people not to get one. I just try to make them fully aware of what they are getting into and let them decide on their own.

 

[Bee62]

I agree with @Tom
Pet shops often sell tortoises as a "simple to keep animal". That`s a pitty.
Living a boring poor live in a much too small fish tank is cruel to any tortoises. And when the tort get`s sick of the wrong treatment people often wait to change things or to got to a VET with the tort.
It makes me very sad when I read how often torts get sick because of false informations from sellers and from neglection.
Tortoises are not a toy for children, no nice acsessoir for the dining room or something else.
They are interesting wild animals and are often bought out of a mood of people and then forgotten...
This is not only a problem of sulcata tortoises, it`s a general problem.
So I would speak with people who wants to buy a tortoise and tell them that they are going to buy an animal that wants and needs the right care and treatment, like a dog or a cat too.