Moving from AZ to WA

[Brittany893]

I have an 7 month old sulcata, but i will be relocating to Seattle in September of this year. I'm driving, so I can take my tort with me. I have a feeling the cold will be a problem for it, not being able to go outside as often. but here in AZ the humidity is so low, its hard to keep it's enclosure at the right humidity. What i'm asking is, how difficult is it to keep a tortoise in a colder climate? and what are some extra precautions i need to take to keep it healthy?

 

[Tim/Robin]

The most challenging part is providing adequate space indoors, and an adult sulcata will need a LOT of space. Seattle is very wet, not ideal for a sulcata. You will likely have to keep it indoors most of the year. Make sure you are supplementing with calcium that contains vitamin D3.

 

[Tom]

The main problem is what to do with a strong, destructive, 100 pound, tropical animal that can't be outside for most of the year. There are people who do it, but I wouldn't.

 

[Angi]

I would stop at Tom's house on the way and drop the tort of on the door step.

 

[Tom]

I would stop at Tom's house on the way and drop the tort of on the door step.

Okay with me.

 

[wellington]

Could you build it a large heated tort house, approx. 8x8 or so, with a green house attached. You cam buy pop up green houses fairly cheap, then just reinforce it. Plant grasses etc in the green house for grazing all winter long. The green house will also help keep the tort house warm, but another heat source would also have to be provided. If the tort house is well insulated, the heating cost would be low. This is my plan for winters in Chicago, when my tort gets to large to be brought in the house. There are a lot of Sulcata's in northern cold states. It can be done, just harder and little more expensive to do. Good luck

 

[Ashliewood]

I live in Seattle. We just got snow this morning.... I feel your pain :-/ I took my tort on a road trip to Montana, it was rough only because I had to way to keep him warm. Good luck on your roadtrip

 

[Brittany893]

The main problem is what to do with a strong, destructive, 100 pound, tropical animal that can't be outside for most of the year. There are people who do it, but I wouldn't.

You're right. I would feel like my tort wouldn't be very happy. But i'm so attached to it, i could never give it away. So if it costs me extra to keep it happy and comfortable then i guess it's worth it!

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Could you build it a large heated tort house, approx. 8x8 or so, with a green house attached. You cam buy pop up green houses fairly cheap, then just reinforce it. Plant grasses etc in the green house for grazing all winter long. The green house will also help keep the tort house warm, but another heat source would also have to be provided. If the tort house is well insulated, the heating cost would be low. This is my plan for winters in Chicago, when my tort gets to large to be brought in the house. There are a lot of Sulcata's in northern cold states. It can be done, just harder and little more expensive to do. Good luck

That's a good idea, and if i'm still in seattle by the time it gets big enough to live outdoors then i'll be sure and make a heated little greenhouse for it. but in the meantime while it's still a baby i can keep it indoors with uv lights and a heatlamp, correct?

 

[Livingstone]

Yes, but you need space indoors. I have Livingstone indoors most of the year, but at 3 years old he is out growing the 5ft by 10ft enclosure he has. You are going to need space alot sooner than you think.

 

[Tom]

Correct. Just be sure and keep those MVBs fresh and replace them at least as often as the manufacturer suggests. In your situation I think I would use a tube type fluorescent uv bulb as well as an MVB for such a young growing tortoise. Get him as much sun as you can while you are still in AZ.

 

[Laura]

sometimes doing some thing IS because you love them so much.. give it a try.. if you cant make it work or it gets to be too much for you.. then find him a new home down south and pick a smaller species..
you have a few years yet..

 

[Maggie Cummings]

I keep a 110 pound male Sulcata in Oregon. We had snow yesterday. He lives in an insulated and heated house that is big enough to give him room for pacing. There is a doggie door that I open every morning so he can go out and see what the weather is like that day. If it's cold snowing or raining he makes the decision to stay inside. If HE makes the decision to stay inside he basks under his light comfortably all day. If I make the decision for him to stay inside he rams the door and paces the room throwing the hay around and pees and poops then smears that all around. THEY must make the decision to stay inside then all is cool. We actually have better weather up here then people think, Spring is around the corner. Summer is a great season here and it lasts until winter takes over. Bob gets along just fine up here and your Sulcata will too. It all depends on how you care for him and what kind of opportunities you give him. Drop him off with me on your way by, I'll take good care of him...

 

[Jacqui]

sometimes doing some thing IS because you love them so much.. give it a try.. if you cant make it work or it gets to be too much for you.. then find him a new home down south and pick a smaller species..
you have a few years yet..

I agree! Your lucky he is small and that makes moving him so much easier and buys you a little time once you get moved to create a great living area for him.