Russian or Sulcata Tortoise

[Angjenk]

Hello,
My husband and I are getting ready to adopt a tortoise from a rescue. As we prepare to make its habitat and after doing research we want to make sure we prepare accordingly.
The rescue wasn’t able identify the specific “type of tortoise” as they said maybe a Russian or Sulcata... so I thought I would get a popular opinion. I’ve attached a photo of him and I know he is 12 lbs. uncertain of age. TIA

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

Definitely a sulcata

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

And going to get a lottt bigger lol

 

[Angjenk]

And going to get a lottt bigger lol

Haha yeah which is why we wanted to know before we make his house.

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

U have a whole spare room?

 

[Angjenk]

U have a whole spare room?

We’re thinking a car space in the garage for winter and outdoor space in the backyard for the warmer months. ? seems like he will require some serious space.

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

That would work. No need to mow your lawn anymore

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

100 lb bull dozer .. yes serious space lol

 

[Chubbs the tegu]

Wish you guys luck. Mine is just a baby right now but growing fast

 

[ZenHerper]

Now I'm going to have nightmares about a 12-pound Russian tort...

 

[Tom]

The rescue doesn't know the difference between a sulcata and a Russian. That's like not knowing the difference between a long haired chihuahua and an English Mastiff. Wow.

Where in CA are you? At that size, this sulcata can live outdoors year round with a heated night box. Are you aware that they dig massive burrows, grow to over 100 pounds and will destroy your back yard and turn it into a barren desert? This is the wrong species for most people.

If you still want to do it, here is the care info, and also a few threads on building a heated night box. The first thread is for smaller ones, but the most of the info still applies to bigger ones too.

Beginner Mistakes

To comment on Tom's article, go here: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-split-Beginner-Mistakes#axzz1tG8s05M5 Over the years many of us, myself included, have made many of these mistakes, and we have certainly seen them made many times by others. With springtime upon us and many new...

tortoiseforum.org

How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0

It's been three years since the original care sheet, http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-63788.html , and I think its time for a review and an update. A lot of new info has come to light over the last three years and new insight has been gained through numerous experiences. What follows is my...

tortoiseforum.org

For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata...

Over and over I type up and answer diet questions and try to get people feeding the right stuff, but I find that the "norm" is grocery store food. Grocery store food is expensive, a hassle to obtain, and very low on the list of what is best for sulcatas. These tortoises are GRASS eaters. From...

tortoiseforum.org

You'll only need one door, and a box half this size could work well for a single tortoise.

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...

tortoiseforum.org

Here is the 4x8 rendering of Tom's Night Box. With Exploded view.

This is a rendering I did based off of @Tom 's heated night box enclosure. Its probably not a 100% accurate. Door is offset to one side for my personal needs but can easily be moved. Let me know if you see any issues with it. Feed back appreciated. High res renderings can be downloaded here...

tortoiseforum.org

What You'll Need to Build A Night Box

I just typed up a list of the needed supplies to build a night box and thought I'd copy paste it here: For sulcatas, I make the doors 26x16". This will fit all but the largest of large males for their entire life. If you end up with one of the giants, you will eventually have to make another...

tortoiseforum.org

Questions and conversation are welcome.

 

[Angjenk]

The rescue doesn't know the difference between a sulcata and a Russian. That's like not knowing the difference between a long haired chihuahua and an English Mastiff. Wow.

Where in CA are you? At that size, this sulcata can live outdoors year round with a heated night box. Are you aware that they dig massive burrows, grow to over 100 pounds and will destroy your back yard and turn it into a barren desert? This is the wrong species for most people.

If you still want to do it, here is the care info, and also a few threads on building a heated night box. The first thread is for smaller ones, but the most of the info still applies to bigger ones too.

Beginner Mistakes

To comment on Tom's article, go here: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-split-Beginner-Mistakes#axzz1tG8s05M5 Over the years many of us, myself included, have made many of these mistakes, and we have certainly seen them made many times by others. With springtime upon us and many new...

tortoiseforum.org

How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0

It's been three years since the original care sheet, http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-63788.html , and I think its time for a review and an update. A lot of new info has come to light over the last three years and new insight has been gained through numerous experiences. What follows is my...

tortoiseforum.org

For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata...

Over and over I type up and answer diet questions and try to get people feeding the right stuff, but I find that the "norm" is grocery store food. Grocery store food is expensive, a hassle to obtain, and very low on the list of what is best for sulcatas. These tortoises are GRASS eaters. From...

tortoiseforum.org

You'll only need one door, and a box half this size could work well for a single tortoise.

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...

tortoiseforum.org

Here is the 4x8 rendering of Tom's Night Box. With Exploded view.

This is a rendering I did based off of @Tom 's heated night box enclosure. Its probably not a 100% accurate. Door is offset to one side for my personal needs but can easily be moved. Let me know if you see any issues with it. Feed back appreciated. High res renderings can be downloaded here...

tortoiseforum.org

What You'll Need to Build A Night Box

I just typed up a list of the needed supplies to build a night box and thought I'd copy paste it here: For sulcatas, I make the doors 26x16". This will fit all but the largest of large males for their entire life. If you end up with one of the giants, you will eventually have to make another...

tortoiseforum.org

Questions and conversation are welcome.

Thank you for all the tips. Yes obviously we are taking the commitment seriously as we are taking the time to do research. To the rescues defense it is typically a rescue for horses and they came about this tortoise inadvertently. It was given to them as a “Russian” tortoise, but they said it seemed to be inaccurate based on his size, which is why I thought posting to a forum with experienced tortoise owners as a good place to get a “for sure answer.”

 

[Sue Ann]

Hello,
My husband and I are getting ready to adopt a tortoise from a rescue. As we prepare to make its habitat and after doing research we want to make sure we prepare accordingly.
The rescue wasn’t able identify the specific “type of tortoise” as they said maybe a Russian or Sulcata... so I thought I would get a popular opinion. I’ve attached a photo of him and I know he is 12 lbs. uncertain of age. TIA View attachment 289469

Looks like a Sulcata. My friends is 4 yrs old and 80 pounds! My boy is one yr old and 3 pounds

 

[Tom]

Thank you for all the tips. Yes obviously we are taking the commitment seriously as we are taking the time to do research. To the rescues defense it is typically a rescue for horses and they came about this tortoise inadvertently. It was given to them as a “Russian” tortoise, but they said it seemed to be inaccurate based on his size, which is why I thought posting to a forum with experienced tortoise owners as a good place to get a “for sure answer.”

Where in CA are you? Different answers for Mammoth vs. Manhattan Beach.

The stuff I said in the second paragraph was not an exaggeration. I'm happy to explain further if you have more questions.

 

[Angjenk]

Where in CA are you? Different answers for Mammoth vs. Manhattan Beach.

The stuff I said in the second paragraph was not an exaggeration. I'm happy to explain further if you have more questions.

I am located in the Central Valley. Nice and hot summers.