Sulcattas

[rayman45]

i have been wanting one for ever
thinking of takeing the plunge
and care sheets or pic of setups for me ?
thanks zach

[cenecker]

too bad you don't live in AZ....people around here all just keep 'em in their backyards...keeps it simple

[rayman45]

any one
it will be here friday?

and can i have any tank mates>?

[Chad55]

Better have a real big tank! Those things get up to 200 pounds. I had a russian and he was really cool. For being only 6 inches he ate alot! I dont know if this is right but my LPS has frilled dragons in with a cherry head redfoot tortoise. The frilled dragons are $350 and the tort is $200! crazy! Good Luck

[rayman45]

lol
im getting it for 97.69 shipped

[rayman45]

are they better in groups?
should i get 2 or 3 of them?

[redtailfool]

Careful Zach, those things get massive and you definitely have to eventually custom
make a house for them. There are tons of information on the web about sulcatas ...

[rayman45]

:)

[rayman45]

:feedback:

[cenecker]

yeah gets huge and will probably outlive you. I don't think it really matters if they are alone or in groups.

They need a vegetarian diet, w/ a lot of dark, leafy greens (collards, turnip greens, etc. NO ICEBERG LETTUCE) and fruit. At least that's the jist of it...I don't really know their specific nutritional needs.

High temps (80-85 ambient, 95-100 basking) and low humidity (I think) will keep them happy. They will need an ENORMOUS amount of room eventually as they grow very large.

You could conceivably keep any desert reptile with similar requirements with a sulcatta, but I don't ever suggest mixing species when it comes to reptiles.

That's as much as I know, I don't have much experience with sulcattas or tortoises in general. Your best bet would probably be to do your research BEFORE you order animals next time. (not that I've always followed that rule...mabye I shouldn't preach :-))

[aztecfred]

Zach,

I breed snakes and frankly know more about reptiles than I do fish.
Allow me to help you as much as I can.....

A lot more...


Sulcatta Tortoises are also called Spur-thighed Tortoises because of large spurs that are present on their front legs. They get large and eat like pigs. They are commonly sold in reptile shops and petshops nationwide. They are striclty vegetarian in nature and need a LOT of food. JUVENILES need to be kept in aquariums with vitalights or artificial lights that mimick the u.v. rays of the sun. They can be kept on alfalfa pellts as a substrate. They need a warm spot(More on this later)

Things to consider BEFORE getting one:

A) At about the 6 inch size they need to be kept OUTSIDE, so that they can get direct U.V. exposure. they also need ROOM to move around in, but at this age they also NEED(Pain in the butt fact) PROTECTION from CROWS, RAVENS and the neighbors KIDs, who will take them away and try to eat them or keep them as pets. Setting aside a portion of the yard and fencing it in with boards and overhead chickenwire should keep most of the predators out. Until the tortoises get biger.

B) They GROW FAST. If you feed them a HEALTHY diet they grow extremely fast

C) They get HUGE,,,esp the males, and once full grown you will need a small YARD to keep them in that has REINFORCED boards in the ground so that they cant dig their way out(Dont laugh it happens!) Chickenwire around the periphery of the yard, dug down to 12 inches below surface works well also.


Still want one?

Best place to buy one is DIRECTLY FROM THE BREEDER.

Here is the name of a local San Diego Breeder that I know:

RENEGADE REPTILES

You can access his site by going to www.kingsnake.com and going to the breeders listings under Renegade Reptiles. Contact Rick from Renagade, tell him that AZTEC FRED from Aztec Reptile ssent you. $96.00 is a little steep

More info.

NEVER feed these tortoises a meat based diet. This means MONKEY CHOW, which is popular to feed these nice animals. It screws them up and causes shell scalloping. (Bad shell growth and growth that isto fast for the animals well being)
They need to be fed Kale, Endive, Chard, Brocolloi, Fruit, green leaf lettuce, bok choy, squash, zuchini...hay, alfalfa......you get the idea.

If you go to www.kingsnake.com you will se forums, go to the tortoise forums and read about Sulcattas. They are a a neat tortoise,but you have to be prepared for what they will become.

Best of luck and PM me if you have ANY questions,


Sincerely,

Aztec Fred
Aztec Reptiles

[rayman45]

THANKS
i dident order yet
i am godd friends with this dealer so basicly i can have it here whenever

i have a nice size tub for them
its about 3-4 feet long 18-20 inches deep 30 inches high
not exactly sure on that

[aztecfred]

Zach.,...

Go to Kingsnake.com and check it out.

You will NEVER be the same afterwards. Prepare to buckle down your walllet!1



The tub will only last a little while. I beleive they have care sheets on kingsnake.com for sulcattas(African Spur Thighed Tortoises)


Best ofluck

Aztec Fred