What breed is this?

[Linda Bucher]

Would some one idintify this tortoise please, it was given to me last Saturday, I want to take proper care of it. Information on care would be appreciated. It is about 12 years old, the shell is 12" long. Someone told me it is a Sulcat, but it seems very small for a Sulcata. Thank you, Linda

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Linda, and welcome to the Forum!

It is indeed a very poorly cared for Sulcata. It either has or has had metabolic bone disease, and that's why it's so small and misshapen.

If this is your first tortoise, then read this first:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

And then read the care sheets for sulcata. Since yours is 12 years old, and no longer a baby, skip the baby part and read how to care for an adult sulcata:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/african-spurred-tortoise-sulcata-care-sheet.52524/

 

[Linda Bucher]

Thank you so much, I did not buy it, I was at a rescue where I help out when I can, (mostly dogs and cats). An old man came up and asked if anyone would like a tortoise, of course I did. I have had water turtles in the past and love all living beings, I figured the tortoise needed help. I have been feeding it fresh grass, hay, a dandilion flower once in a while. It is so sad people don't do research before taking on a living being. I hope I can make its life better.

 

[wellington]

Thank you so much, I did not buy it, I was at a rescue where I help out when I can, (mostly dogs and cats). An old man came up and asked if anyone would like a tortoise, of course I did. I have had water turtles in the past and love all living beings, I figured the tortoise needed help. I have been feeding it fresh grass, hay, a dandilion flower once in a while. It is so sad people don't do research before taking on a living being. I hope I can make its life better.

Glad your giving it a good home. However, the proper care of these animals has not been around very long. Only about 10 years now or so and a lot of the bad info is still out there. Heck, there are even some vets that have the incorrect caresheets posted on their websites. I'm sure this ones owners did what he was told and as we can see, the info was not correct.
Good luck

 

[maplewood]

Hello and welcome! Even with a rough start, this tortoise is lucky to have found you!

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

Linda,
Well done on your part to raise your hand first and to have taken this guy into your care. And then well done again to you for researching the Wide World Internet Machine to find the tortoise forum. Here we have active caregivers that are here to share the information they have learned, (often from trial and error) and openly shared for the betterment of the tortoise family. Follow the links that Yvonne has provided to use, and if have. Don't be shy, if something isn't clear to you start a thread in the sulcata section asking for clearing it up for you.
And welcome to The Tortoise Forum ! Ask, Learn, and Educate.