tortoiseforum.org
tortoiseforum.org
currently working on a night box! He has dug his own burrow, but making him his own space. Awesome info! Thank you!Looks okay. Is that a split scute? Can we see a pic looking straight down n the carapace?
You said "he". Are you sure about that? The head size and gulars do look male. Can we see a pic of the tail and anal scutes? It would be an unusual thing to have a male with a split scute like that. I would love to verify just for the novelty of it.
He needs a night box. Here are two examples with safe and effective heating methods. You can't use heat lamps and CHEs over the big ones.
Single Tortoise Night Box
I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...Double Door Night Box
As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...
Welcome to all of you! Thank you! Yeah it was kinda sad no one was looking for him. He’s got a puppy dog personality all the way! He follows me everywhere and wants to be in the middle of everything! Night box should be up by this weekend! He doesn’t seem like he had ever tired hibiscus before, he didn’t know what to do with it at first! Luckily he’s got the whole yard to roam and eat as much grass as he needs and hay, but still working on eating hay, when I mix with pellets he starts to eat it so hopefully he’ll start eating hay on its own!He's very handsome! Congratulations. Hopefully the purple wears off. People are so bizarre at times. Since it's only the back, maybe a child was doing it and got caught before the entire shell could be painted.
I would guess he's more likely abandoned, rather than lost, especially given his VERY identifiable features. The part of Florida where I live, some weeks as many as three Sulcatas are found and posted in area groups. Only a couple of times has the reverse been true - owners looking for escapees.
My guy is a found friend that nobody ever claimed, or looked for that I'm aware of. I got so lucky because he's got the personality of a puppy, super friendly, active, and comes running to me. I've been told most Sulcatas have amazing personalities like this, but I frequently visit one at my parent's neighbor that is shy and reserved, nothing like my boy.
Anyway, please follow Tom's care sheet and you will have a wonderful friend to enjoy for a lifetime. I know you're already working on a night box, which is great. Until it's finished, make sure your boy is safe at night. Even racoon can kill tortoises and they will climb your fence and exist pretty much everywhere.
I love your picture with a flower in his "hair." He looks pretty annoyed and embarrassed, but what a cutie! 😘
On another note, @Tom I notice the above Sully is eating pellets and what appears to be Timothy hay. Is that okay for the big boys? I only ask because of my husband. I know you've already given me the best advice and my boy is doing very well grazing. It's just hard to convince my husband that we don't need to feed Tortimer this time of year, only soak him, water him, and walk him for variety of grazing.
I've tried to explain to my husband that his need to feed doesn't line up with Tortimer's needs, but it's falling on deaf ears. If there was something I could let my husband "feed" in small amounts, I feel like it would be safer for my boy so he doesn't sneak him things he shouldn't have. Yes, I know he needs to just act like an adult, but this is an ongoing battle, so I'm looking for something safe to add to his diet.
Thank you!!
Perhaps the pink colour you mention is related to the purple paint - there may have been other colouring attempts - with pink crayon, maybe? Poor chap !
I won’t be able to get photos until later today, but I know he is a male. He has the wide anal scutes, tail curled to the side and I have seen his whole genitals out. I know 100% he’s a male. He has free roam on a large yard, calcium sprinkled in good regularly, soaking pool, and multiple water dishes around as well as fresh hay out. Will definitely be reviewing the care sheet & forums to remove paint.
Not sure, the paint is only on the back side but I have no idea if the paint was toxic or not.
That's a very good sign, I should think - he feels safe and able to assert himself and make choices. How long have you had him ?
It’s been about 3-4 weeks. He’s got a puppy dog personality, he wants to be doing everything I’m doing 😂 it seems like he definitely has adjusted and made my backyard his own. He sleeps in the same spot every night so when I make his box it will be very close to that spot.
Looks okay. Is that a split scute? Can we see a pic looking straight down n the carapace?
You said "he". Are you sure about that? The head size and gulars do look male. Can we see a pic of the tail and anal scutes? It would be an unusual thing to have a male with a split scute like that. I would love to verify just for the novelty of it.
He needs a night box. Here are two examples with safe and effective heating methods. You can't use heat lamps and CHEs over the big ones.
Single Tortoise Night Box
I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...Double Door Night Box
As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...
The growth lines look fine. They will sometimes appear pinkish due to the high number of blood vessels in the new bone which is being formed under them.
