A family friend (our kids childhood friend) stopped by last night to our surprise. He came in and said "I need your help", of course I said sure buddy what's up? He said I almost hit a tortoise on the road and he's in my truck. I gently but firmly told him "if this is a desert tortoise, it is totally illegal to keep". I fully expected that he'd found a native tortoise that had been stirred out of it's burrow from our storms. Much to my shock and surprise it was a large Sulcata. A very personable Male, extremely social. We put him in my yard and I offered him hibiscus leaves, dandelion greens, bermuda hay and a large fresh bowl of water. He ate like he was inhaling it! What a guy! Thankfully, we've learned alot here in the forum as my Daughter has 2 that are only a year old. Never had we experienced an Adult Sulcata before. I could tell he was in great shape, probably hadn't been out for too terribly long, but he definitely needed us as a big storm approached. My yard is escape proof, but not exactly giant tortoise proofed, all I could do was hope for the best through the night and deal with it today. Along with an all out search for his owners and real home. So I got up with the Sun, not knowing when he just might wake up from his lean to shelter I set up to protect him from the storm. Yep, you guessed it. He slept til around 9 or 10am when the temps warmed up. He chowed a healthy amount of breakfast and followed me like a puppy dog all around the yard. He burps and farts quite a bit probably from foods his owners give him or browsing yards while he was out or eating the right foods too quickly (just guessing). I google earthed the area he was found zooming in on backyards that looked to have good potential to house such an awesome guy. Found a few potentials and set out to go door to door and hopefully find his owners. Long story short, we found them! And the best part is we have visitation and tortoise sitting rights!! LOL Turns out we know the owners, well no wonder this tortoise is so fabulous!
As much as I would have loved to keep him, I just knew I'd be absolutely devastated if he were mine and I'd lost him. I just had to do everything I could to find the real owner. So glad he's home, though I do already miss him. He did teach us alot more about Sulcatas and what we need to do to Daughter's yard for her little ones once they are bigger. Alot to do to make it perfect. I also learned that while I always wanted a ranch, I really, really want a ranch!!! These big torts need and deserve as much space as possible. I'm exhausted walking in circles with him today!!! LOL
He'd gotten out because some construction workers came and left a gate open. So very glad our friend didn't hit him with his truck and he knew to bring him here. Together, we got the big guy taken good care of and home to his rightful owner. (insert warm and fuzzy feeling here)
Really looking forward to seeing him again! Can't wait til they call and ask us to Tortoise sit for them! LOL
As much as I would have loved to keep him, I just knew I'd be absolutely devastated if he were mine and I'd lost him. I just had to do everything I could to find the real owner. So glad he's home, though I do already miss him. He did teach us alot more about Sulcatas and what we need to do to Daughter's yard for her little ones once they are bigger. Alot to do to make it perfect. I also learned that while I always wanted a ranch, I really, really want a ranch!!! These big torts need and deserve as much space as possible. I'm exhausted walking in circles with him today!!! LOL
He'd gotten out because some construction workers came and left a gate open. So very glad our friend didn't hit him with his truck and he knew to bring him here. Together, we got the big guy taken good care of and home to his rightful owner. (insert warm and fuzzy feeling here)
Really looking forward to seeing him again! Can't wait til they call and ask us to Tortoise sit for them! LOL
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