Vultures

[ReptileMommax3]

I live in Arizona, which if you don't know, is home to all three species of vultures. I've never even seen one until recently. I moved a bit outside the city, and hello turkey vultures! Kinda cool, wasn't worried. Until yesterday. I'm in my backyard with the babies - both Sulcatas, one teen and one toddler - and I see 3 huge black vultures on the light pole right on the other side of the wall. They were maybe 30 feet away/up from my youngest, and it was a little creepy. Cue me looking around, and finding them on every light pole in the immediate area! 9 in total! I started to get worried. Vultures typically feed on carrion, as most know, but some of them, namely the black vulture, will occasionally go for live prey, if they are hungry and it is something small/young/injured or sick. Including tortoises, based on my reading. My question is, does anyone have experience with these guys, and will anything ward them off?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

How big are your sulcatas? @Tom can probably weigh in on this matter.

 

[ReptileMommax3]

How big are your sulcatas? @Tom can probably weigh in on this matter.

My teenager is pretty big, about 65 pounds, solid muscle. My toddler is smaller than they should be for their age, having come to me from a situation of neglect. Their annual checkup puts them at 14 pounds, recently big enough to require two hands to pick up. They are the one I worry about more. My teen would bite off the feet of any bird stupid enough to peck at her!

 

[Tom]

The vultures are unlikely to bother a 3 inch baby. They most certainly aren't going to bother your tortoises.

It's normal for them to congregate in groups like that. I see it here from time to time. I counted 18 turkey vultures encircling the fence around my back yard a few years ago. Its like they get together for meetings sometimes.

 

[wellington]

The vultures are unlikely to bother a 3 inch baby. They most certainly aren't going to bother your tortoises.

It's normal for them to congregate in groups like that. I see it here from time to time. I counted 18 turkey vultures encircling the fence around my back yard a few years ago. Its like they get together for meetings sometimes.

I wonder what they discuss lol

 

[seanbaker1]

I wonder what they discuss lol

"Can you imagine if we could split that 65-pounder between the 9 of us!"

 

[Tom]

I wonder what they discuss lol

I always think of the old cartoons with the vultures in the trees talking back and forth.

 

[ReptileMommax3]

I guess even 'unlikely' still makes me nervous. If carrion is scarce, this particular species is more willing to make a meal where they can get it.

 

[Maggie3fan]

How big are your sulcatas? @Tom can probably weigh in on this matter.

A little 'play' on words...a good one!!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

A little 'play' on words...a good one!!

Not intentional