Need advice on sulcata tortoise

[Nickolas]

Does anyone know of keeping sulcatas in southwestern PA? I don't know if it would be possible if I provided a winter shelter with everything the tortoise needs. It would have lots of space in the spring/summer/early fall and be happy in those climates, but it gets so cold in the winter. Does anyone think that it is manageable?

 

[Tom]

You'll get a different answer on this from everyone you ask.

Any tortoise can be kept anywhere in the world with enough time, money and effort. How much of your time, money and effort do you want to spend trying to keep a giant tropical reptile with huge space requirements, and year round warm temp needs in a totally unsuitable climate? If you are rich and don't need to work, you can build a large, well insulated building with heated floors and all sorts of special lighting and spend your days maintaining the correct warm conditions.

Or, you can get a species that is much easier and more practical for your climate. Or my favorite, move somewhere warmer.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Yes, it’s very manageable. Folks all over keep Sully’s successfully in cold weather climates. You just really need to think the winter time space/heating/lighting issues out. Sullys grow large quickly. A small cute Sully quickly becomes a bull dozer that needs lots of space & heat.

im sure @vladimir will chime in...he’s from Pa. & @Chubbs the tegu is from Massachusetts, both with Sullys.

A few folks in Ohio keep Sullys too. I think @Cheryl Hills does...

Good luck.

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

I have planned already .. i have a 20x 30 spot in mu basement planned out .. its possible. Ill be buying a new house soon also with more room. They grow super fast so just be prepared. U cant expect to keep him in an 8x8 in 5 years

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

In my opinion.. a 30x30 will get an adult thru the winter .. not everyone will agree

 

[Nickolas]

Thank you

 

[Nickolas]

I think I could use my attic. It is fairly large and needs cleaned, but could work. It would need insulated too, but we were planning on getting a new roof anyway and we could save the stimulus check money for the insulation as we are blessed to have our usual salaries. If it was insulated, I could just run the furnace there and use supplemental heating. What do you think? There are two rooms that are each about 16x16

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

32x32 would work for the colder weather

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

Ud have to put somthing down ..like pond liner or some kind of water proofer to protect the wood

 

[Nickolas]

The pond liner would work. I could put 2 feet of polyurethaned plywood, a safe kind for the tort, around the perimeter of the rooms too to protect the walls. I would just have to purchase very thick pond liner. By the time the tortoise would be too big to fit through the door, I will likely be an exotic veterinarian in southern Florida who specializes in reptiles and I could keep the tortoise outside full-time with a heated shelter.

 

[Nickolas]

What kind of tegu do you have? I keep an Argentine b/w

 

[vladimir]

I'd be hesitant to put an enclosure in an attic for a sulcata. Vlad's about 55lbs and getting him in and out of his indoor / outdoor enclosure can be challenging already. I can't imagine having to take him up to the attic.

 

[Maro2Bear]

I'd be hesitant to put an enclosure in an attic for a sulcata. Vlad's about 55lbs and getting him in and out of his indoor / outdoor enclosure can be challenging already. I can't imagine having to take him up to the attic.

Yeah....id agree with that. Let alone soakings & waterings & mistings & general tortoise “mess”.

 

[Nickolas]

I did not consider that...I could use a large section of my basement once he gets that big in 5-10 years. Eventually he/she would spend the rest of her/his life in Florida. I know that they grow very quickly, but my family will find a way to manage. We keep A LOT of stuff in our basement, but a large chunk of it could go to the attic. I would make sure that the tortoise is kept properly. I am 13 years old, and my family loves reptiles. We have a banana ball python, a peach masque amber blood red corn snake, and a tegu. I also am an avid aquarist. I know that my age makes me seem very unfit to be thinking about keeping a sulcata tortoise, but I can assure you that I have experience and love these animals. For a while I really wanted to be a neurosurgeon which is doable, but I just have a connection with these animals. I am very interested in biological sciences, and if I could combine working with reptiles and that, it would be the best job I could have. I am usually a very modest person, but I know that I cannot personally interact with you. I do very well in school and am involved in many extracurricular activities. I feel the need to say that just because I told you my age. Many people try to tell me that I am way too young to be interested in this kind of stuff, but it is what I really enjoy and I'm good at it. I hope that I did not come across the wrong way in this message. I just want you to know that I care about these animals and take care of them properly as well. I am sure that we would find a way to house it for the winter, and I thank everyone for their advice and kindness.

 

[Nickolas]

I could probably use my small pool that is made for a dog for soaking.

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

I'd be hesitant to put an enclosure in an attic for a sulcata. Vlad's about 55lbs and getting him in and out of his indoor / outdoor enclosure can be challenging already. I can't imagine having to take him up to the attic.

Well.. im considering somebody in shape that can handle it.. obviously i wouldnt recommend to somebody not to strong. And there are ways to figure it out even still.

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

Not everybody has a perfect situation to own one (including me) but if ur open to spend the money and are ready to spend the time to make it happen it can happen

 

[Nickolas]

We have lots of time to figure it out with quarantine and summer. Thank you for the advice, it means a lot.

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

I believe if ur heart is set on something and ur willing to put the work in.. then make it happen. If ur not willing to work ur *ss off to make it happen.. then dont bother

 

[Tom]

Many people try to tell me that I am way too young to be interested in this kind of stuff, but it is what I really enjoy and I'm good at it.

I think the majority of the people here were "interested in this kind of stuff" long before age 13, and many of us were heavily into it by then. The walls of my bedroom were always lined with aquariums and reptile cages. On the dresser and the night stand too. My first apartment had animals in almost every room.

Your problem is going to be, what my problem was back then. Lack of money.