Juvenile sulcata climbing ability

[TrebleReverie]

Hi. I haven't posted my introduction yet, but I will when I'm able.. I'm curious about a juvenile (6.5" carapace) sulcata's ability to climb. I found it about a month ago and have been on this site daily since. I have come across many threads involving tortoises trying to climb for whatever reason, but no information on their actual ability. Would it be physically possible for it to climb a 16" tall, flat cinderblock wall? I ask because it was inside one of the block holes when I got home today, and I can't fathom how it would've managed to pull that off on its own.. I really don't want to believe that someone came onto my gated property and messed with it..

 

[Tom]

Hi. I haven't posted my introduction yet, but I will when I'm able.. I'm curious about a juvenile (6.5" carapace) sulcata's ability to climb. I found it about a month ago and have been on this site daily since. I have come across many threads involving tortoises trying to climb for whatever reason, but no information on their actual ability. Would it be physically possible for it to climb a 16" tall, flat cinderblock wall? I ask because it was inside one of the block holes when I got home today, and I can't fathom how it would've managed to pull that off on its own.. I really don't want to believe that someone came onto my gated property and messed with it..

They are not the best climbers compared to some other tort species, but they can certainly climb if the footholds are there. I do not think they could climb vertical cinderblocks. I've housed many behind blocks and never had one climb out ever. I know of many other people who also use block, and none of theirs climb out either.

Some smaller species, notably Russians, can climb in the corners, and that is why we all say to cap the corners, but I've never seen a sulcata do that.

I've had big ones learn to push the wall over, but not climb it.

 

[TrebleReverie]

They are not the best climbers compared to some other tort species, but they can certainly climb if the footholds are there. I do not think they could climb vertical cinderblocks. I've housed many behind blocks and never had one climb out ever. I know of many other people who also use block, and none of theirs climb out either.

Some smaller species, notably Russians, can climb in the corners, and that is why we all say to cap the corners, but I've never seen a sulcata do that.

I've had big ones learn to push the wall over, but not climb it.

Thank you @Tom . I thought so.. It (unsure of gender at this time) was in the very center hole of the wall, so no corners involved. I was kind of hoping they were somehow secret ninjas because the alternative has me nauseated..

 

[Tom]

Thank you @Tom . I thought so.. It (unsure of gender at this time) was in the very center hole of the wall, so no corners involved. I was kind of hoping they were somehow secret ninjas because the alternative has me nauseated..

Yeah... I'm pretty sure Russian tortoises can levitate when people aren't looking, but not sulcatas.

Time for some security cameras.