Thinking about getting a sulcata?

[meemawspond]

I live in Jacksonville, Florida. I was thinking about getting a Sulcata. Does anyone have any experience with one? Anyone have any plans to build an outdoor enclosure? What are there personalities like, does anyone have any pictures? Or should I get something besides a Sulcata?

Thank you,
Meemaw

 

[Jeox]

i have one.
most important question: will you have room for a 150lb + destructive animal?

 

[eaglesWR7]

I think the size of the pen matters the most, but what are some of the smaller torts that you can do outdoors in FLA?

 

[CTU2fan]

It's funny I was just talking to a guy at work yesterday who adopted 2 sulcatas. He's got an acre of land, fenced, and he just has them roaming. They came with one of those plastic doghouse igloo things with a heater in it for winter (we're in the Daytona area), but he said as long as the temp is above 50F or there's a lot of sun for them to bask they stay out even in winter, but they don't eat as much. I thought it was pretty cool anyway.

 

[coura]

It's funny I was just talking to a guy at work yesterday who adopted 2 sulcatas. He's got an acre of land, fenced, and he just has them roaming. They came with one of those plastic doghouse igloo things with a heater in it for winter (we're in the Daytona area), but he said as long as the temp is above 50F or there's a lot of sun for them to bask they stay out even in winter, but they don't eat as much. I thought it was pretty cool anyway.

The ideal way for keeping them is outdoors all year if the climate allows it

 

[davo]

The ideal way for keeping them is outdoors all year if the climate allows it

Yeah, you might be able to do it in South Florida too...

 

[rmorse]

I want one =(

Not realistic for me though

 

[CTU2fan]

The ideal way for keeping them is outdoors all year if the climate allows it

I agree. Certain herps just aren't realistic indoor captives and IMO a sulcata falls into that category. Tortoises seem to require more room to roam around than some other herps do, I'm not sure if I'd even keep a leopard tort indoors.

 

[eaglesWR7]

I dont think size was the problem. Is there a site where you can buy the larger torts? I know she was looking for one already big. Even though its prolly more expensive.

 

[CTU2fan]

Never really seen adults for sale, might be able to adopt a big one.