Thank you! They were just given to us this week by a family member who no longer could care for them and couldn't find them a home. We are debating keeping them or rehoming since they are such a big commitment but want to make sure they are cared for properly in the meantime. I have been researching nonstop since then but there is alot of conflicting information out there.First thing you need to do ASAP is get them housed separately.
They both need to be in their own closed chamber enclosure with 80% humidity.
The bigger one has a lot of pyramiding already which means he was raised dry
The little one has some barely starting so you can get that to stop if you move quick to house them properly.
Please read our caresheet under the sulcata section and closed chamber
Yes there is a lot of conflicting info out there. Do your research on this forum. We have the most up to date info and from long time tortoise owners that did their own experiments to figure out the best way to raise tortoises to be smooth and healthy.Thank you! They were just given to us this week by a family member who no longer could care for them and couldn't find them a home. We are debating keeping them or rehoming since they are such a big commitment but want to make sure they are cared for properly in the meantime. I have been researching nonstop since then but there is alot of conflicting information out there.
Yes there is a lot of conflicting info out there. Do your research on this forum. We have the most up to date info and from long time tortoise owners that did their own experiments to figure out the best way to raise tortoises to be smooth and healthy.
They are a huge commitment and need lots of room. Specially with two sulcatas that each need their own enclosure.
They are easier to rehome at the size they are now than as larger adults, if that's what you decide to do. At 10 inches they can live outside but will each need a large heated shed for winters.
This forum will help you in any questions you have in keeping them or can help to rehome them.
Good luck.
The larger one could be 3-5 years old or even more depending upon how it was kept. Less than ideal conditions result in slower growth so that one may be small for its actual age. How long is the larger tortoise? It appears about 6" to me, but with nothing in the photo to show scale, that's just an educated guess.Yes, we have plenty of space (100+acres we would justt haveto put a good fence up) for them and a building that could be modified they could have. I don't want to rehome to someone who is going to end up in the same situation I'm in either. Any guess on how old the bigger one is?
There is unfortunately so so much misinformation out there! I know first hand what a mind field that is, I know as a newer member it’s understandably difficult to trust us when we say this should be your best only source of information, but trust me stick around and you’ll see why! Every other source at least has some outdated information mixed in, whereas here that’s not the case(you have to check the dates of the posts obviously)Thank you! They were just given to us this week by a family member who no longer could care for them and couldn't find them a home. We are debating keeping them or rehoming since they are such a big commitment but want to make sure they are cared for properly in the meantime. I have been researching nonstop since then but there is alot of conflicting information out there.
The bigger one is 5 inches and the smaller one is just under 3 inches. Me and the kids just came in from collecting 2x4s and 4x4s to make a new/bigger box for the older one.... would 6'x3' be good for the size it is? I attached more pictures of them and what they are currently in. It is definitely too small
That sizing sounds fine for the size they each are for now, I’d definitely make them closed chambers with some sort of topper for whatever the plan isOh also I’d switch that water dish to a terracotta saucer asap, those dishes can be quite hazardous unfortunately
Curious what is the hazard ? And what sizd saucer? Like big or small? I had a smaller dish in there but then the little one especially kept going all the way in and soaking in it (I assume) and i didn't think it was big enough.There is unfortunately so so much misinformation out there! I know first hand what a mind field that is, I know as a newer member it’s understandably difficult to trust us when we say this should be your best only source of information, but trust me stick around and you’ll see why! Every other source at least has some outdated information mixed in, whereas here that’s not the case(you have to check the dates of the posts obviously)
That sizing sounds fine for the size they each are for now, I’d definitely make them closed chambers with some sort of topper for whatever the plan isOh also I’d switch that water dish to a terracotta saucer asap, those dishes can be quite hazardous unfortunately
Because of the steeper sides, they can be a flipping hazard and due to the lack of traction in these kind of dishes, it can make it difficult for the tortoise to right itself. There’s been multiple cases.Curious what is the hazard ? And what sizd saucer? Like big or small? I had a smaller dish in there but then the little one especially kept going all the way in and soaking in it (I assume) and i didn't think it was big enough.
Oh okay makes sense. Thank you!Because of the steeper sides, they can be a flipping hazard and due to the lack of traction in these kind of dishes, it can make it difficult for the tortoise to right itself. There’s been multiple cases.
The terracotta saucers have grip and shallower sides, making it easier for tortoise to self soakone big enough so the tortoise can fit itself in there is fine, they don’t have to be deep
No problem!Oh okay makes sense. Thank you!