new sulcata owner

[mwindman]

I am a new owner of a sulcata; I live in Arizona in the desert and came home and found this torti trying to get water from my rabbit and bird dishes and was real hot to the touch. I have had him about a week and found out he is two years old; Can someone tell me what size of outdoor enclosure I should build and how to keep snakes and other things out of the enclosure; What plants I should plant in the enclosure. I have him inside with the UVB light and calcium supplement.

 

[JustAnja]

Are you absolutely sure its a Sulcata and not an AZ Desert Tortoise? They can look very similar to people that dont know. Can you post pictures??

 

[Crazy1]

Hi mwindman, here is a link for Sully owners;
http://africantortoise.com/sulcata.htm
http://africantortoise.com/outdoor.htm
http://africantortoise.com/edible_landscaping.htm
http://www.sulcata-station.org/diet.html
http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Turtle, Sulcata Tortoise.htm

Just know whatever size you place him in, he will more than likely out grow it. So make it is expandable. I don't know of anything that will keep snakes and scorpions or the like out of the pen unless you make it with hardware cloth (fairly tightly woven wire mesh) and enclose the pen in this. Screen is not acceptable as it filters the uvb and your tort needs this. Also make sure that whatever hide you provide you have it shaded. I use shade cloth over the hide or an umbrella in a cinderblock to shade their hides. Inside a box or even a dog house top the temp really rises when it is in direct sun. I placed a 24 in plastic plant saucer in the enclosure and on really hot days I just put the hose in the pen and let it run or set up the sprinklers. Oh did I mention I have DT but have heard they are fairly similar when it comes to hides water, and heat.

 

[africansucata]

I am new to this site. I have an african sucata that is about 15 months old. Am getting ready to make him a new habitat - he has outgrown his old one.

What kind of plants do you recommend putting in there? Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[aka2tal]

Africansucata, Where abouts do you live? Hibiscus trees are great since they love the flowers and leafs.

 

[africansucata]

Africansucata, Where abouts do you live? Hibiscus trees are great since they love the flowers and leafs.

I live in Southern California - about an hour from Palm Springs. He doesn't seem to like dandelions - is this normal?

 

[aka2tal]

Some like Dandelions and some don't. 2 of my 3 love them, other one could care less. We have a large backyard and they feed on Romaine Lettuce, Hibiscus and St Augustine grass. We are in same climate as you. We are in Whittier.

 

[aka2tal]

Go to your local grocery store and see if you can arrange picking up their romaine clippings. Usually they will just throw them in a compost pile. See if they will get in the routine of throwing the remains in a box for you to pick up. Our local produce guy at Albertsons saves us the Romaine every Monday. We have given him a picture of the three torts for their bulletin board, eating the pile of romaine. Giving them the romaine every other day seems to be working. On the other days, they get Orchard Grass Hay. They prefer the romaine, but they get what they get.

 

[africansucata]

Ok thanks! He definitely loves Romaine. He also likes Carrots and Snap peas and Broccoli. I'm assuming these are all ok to give him. I am going to try and download some pictures so you can see what he looks like. Just give me a bit of time this morning!

Thanks for all of your help.

 

[Yvonne G]

I am a new owner of a sulcata; I live in Arizona in the desert and came home and found this torti trying to get water from my rabbit and bird dishes and was real hot to the touch. I have had him about a week and found out he is two years old; Can someone tell me what size of outdoor enclosure I should build and how to keep snakes and other things out of the enclosure; What plants I should plant in the enclosure. I have him inside with the UVB light and calcium supplement.

The bigger the better! My Dudley, 100lbs sulcata, has three pastures and each one is about 800 square feet. I put him in a different pasture every week while the other two are watered and growing. Trouble is, when they get that big, you can't keep them "IN". He knows which part of the fence opens, and he works at it until he either breaks it or pushes it down.

At two years of age, I don't think you have to worry about snakes. They won't bother the tortoise. But you need to have a secure hiding place that you can close up against predators at night. Either that or bring him in at night. As for plants, weeds and grasses for him to graze on, then maybe a mulberry tree in one corner. They will eat hollyhocks, cactus, probably any native plant that will grow there will be fair game for him.

I'd love to see a picture of your new little sulcata. Have you given him a name?

Yvonne

 

[aka2tal]

uh oh, here goes the names conversation again

 

[africansucata]

Ok thanks! He definitely loves Romaine. He also likes Carrots and Snap peas and Broccoli. I'm assuming these are all ok to give him. I am going to try and download some pictures so you can see what he looks like. Just give me a bit of time this morning!

Thanks for all of your help.

Ok - I am going to attempt to show you some pics of my little guy. By the way his name is Tuffy!

 

[africansucata]

Ok thanks! He definitely loves Romaine. He also likes Carrots and Snap peas and Broccoli. I'm assuming these are all ok to give him. I am going to try and download some pictures so you can see what he looks like. Just give me a bit of time this morning!

Thanks for all of your help.

Ok - I am going to attempt to show you some pics of my little guy. By the way his name is Tuffy!

 

[africansucata]

Ok thanks! He definitely loves Romaine. He also likes Carrots and Snap peas and Broccoli. I'm assuming these are all ok to give him. I am going to try and download some pictures so you can see what he looks like. Just give me a bit of time this morning!

Thanks for all of your help.

Ok - I am going to attempt to show you some pics of my little guy. By the way his name is Tuffy!

Here are some pics of him.


http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/kim-b1/?action=view&current=100_3457.jpg
http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/kim-b1/?action=view&current=by2apples.jpg

 

[aka2tal]

He is not very old. I would guess about a year old based on the photos.

 

[aka2tal]

Maybe a 1 1/2 year old. Looks great.

 

[africansucata]

Maybe a 1 1/2 year old. Looks great.

Thank you. Since I have found this forum the other day - I have decided to redo his habitat. I had him in a starter aquarium - I have now changed him to a plastic bin. I need to get him some plants yet - but here is a picture. What do you think of it? Should I add anything other than the plants? I know he needs a larger water dish as well.

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/kim-b1/100_3454.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/kim-b1/100_3455.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/kim-b1/frontview.jpg

 

[aka2tal]

Looks pretty good for now. Good job.

 

[Laura]

Less romaine and more darker baby green lettuce. Snap peas have too much protien. Try to cut up the hay and sprinkle it on top of his faves.
His new home looks good.

 

[africansucata]

Thank you all so much. I really appreciate it.