Wilson the Tort

[CJW]

Hi there,
I've been searching this forum for years for advice and ideas. I don't know why I haven't posted sooner.
We got Wilson, AKA "Willy" about 5 years ago. At the time we were searching for a dog and I came across a lady rehoming 4 dogs and tortoise on craigslist. I went there to look at the dogs, but then I saw this sweet little tortoise sitting on the floor in the corner. I knew NOTHING about tortoises, but i knew he didn't look happy. She knew squat about him- she said he was full grown, didn't need heat lamps, and hibernated all winter. At that time- he was a 20lb sulcata, that was just malnourished and lethargic.
Long story short, I brought him home he didn't eat or poo for about a month and a half, and we had to give him antibiotic injections for weeks. But the tough little fella bounced back. He now weighs around 85lbs (full grown my a**) and we love him!! He has some slight shell pyramiding from his rough years, but overall he's a healthy boy.
Right now we are trying to figure out how to keep him. . . we need to move, but can't bear to sell him. So hopefully we can figure out a temporary home for him or something. I'm sure it will all work out.

Anyways- thank you for being a great resource for us trying to navigate tortoise parenthood

 

[T Smart]

Welcome! Glad to hear he's doing well.

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome the Forum!

Hopefully you can find someone to foster Willy until you can take him back. My sister @maggie18fan is in Corvallis, but with two or three sulcatas of her own, I know she doesn't have the space to help you, but maybe she knows someone who does.

 

[Ray--Opo]

Great rescue and story. I am waiting for that mistreated tort to come into my life. I can't go into pet stores because I want to buy all the torts they have. Hope everything works out for you

 

[Maggie3fan]

Why can't you take him with you? If it comes down to it and you've tried everything else, I can move mine around and he can live in the tort shed heated and insulated, with an outside pen. A temporary thing. I'm outside of Corvallis. Let me know.

 

[CJW]

Why can't you take him with you? If it comes down to it and you've tried everything else, I can move mine around and he can live in the tort shed heated and insulated, with an outside pen. A temporary thing. I'm outside of Corvallis. Let me know.

Wow, thank you for the offer! We are still trying to make it work to bring him with us. I will let you know if it comes down to it.