| Sulcata Photo Gallery |
| Sulcata Yearlings & Juveniles |
| Baby Sulcata growth rates may vary, depending on diet and other factors. Generally a healthy yearling that has reached approximately 5" in shell length may be able to spend time outdoors during warm weather. However, it is essential that a yearling's habitat be properly prepared for safety and comfort. It's best to place them inside an enclosed pen as they can easily wander off in just minutes. Their usual diet of green leaf vegetables, (no iceberg lettuce) can now be supplemented with natural grass (chemical free). Their water dish must be shallow and sunken to avoid climbing. Although they love to climb, tipping upside down in the hot sun is deadly if not discovered quickly. Natural sunshine is excellent for healthy development, but a shade spot must also be available. Sulcata must never be left outdoors at night without an appropriate heated house. (See photo below left) |
Sulcata are hardy and sociable, low-maintenance pets enjoyed by children and adults. It's important to remember that these pets can live up to 100 years and require long-term commitment. They can also grow to 100- 200 lbs., so these factors must be considered when deciding upon housing or the number you are capable of caring for. A pair is always preferable to one living alone as they are very social animals and do well together. With lots of human attention they can become as friendly as dogs They will come to you for petting, follow you around the yard and will come inside the house if your door is left ajar.. Their house should be large enough to move around and must be warm @ 85 degrees. (Refer to 'Setup' & 'Care Information') Their house is very important to them and they quickly learn to come out in the morning around 10 am and go back inside toward late afternoon. These are very peaceful pets...quiet and slow-moving...and have few defenses other than pulling inside their shell. However their forearms can be chewed off by dogs not realizing that the tortoise is not a chew-toy. Therefore tortoises are not recommended for families with dogs, as dogs are their #1 greatest danger. |
| Sulcata Adults |
| Babies to Adults |
| Yearlings with bigger friends |
| " Hugo" (100 lb Male) |
| "Kid Rock" (80 lb Male) |
| "Rosie" (80 lb Female) |
| "Rex" (Young 30 lb Male) |
| "Tank" (65 lb Female) |
| "Hugo" (100 lb Male) |
| & "Tweenkie" the Duck |
| Pen / Housing for Yearlings & Juveniles |
| "Babuska" (Young 50 lb Female) |
| "Big Bertha" (100 lb Female) |
| "Tina" (35 lb Female) |
| "Tank & Kid Rock" (Original Pair) |
| Thumper (male Sulcata in photo) and his mate are good examples of how large your Sulcata can grow. Thumper measures 3 feet in length & weighs over 200 lbs. The female is over 100 lbs. Although not all Sulcata will grow this large, it's very likely and should be considered when deciding on a breed of tortoise that's right for you. Even though tortoises remain tame at this size, it's very difficult to control their will. For example, Thumper once decided to lift our huge wrought iron gate off its hinges and check out the neighborhood. We soon discovered that a tortoise this size heading north is going to continue heading north regardless of your pleas or efforts to turn him around. |
| Twins from same egg, sharing one yolk sac |
| "Riverside Girl" (100 lb. Female) |
| Thumper & Mate |
| At this stage, it's hard to imagine that these littles guys can grow to be 100-200 lbs. Sulcata is the largest tortoise in Africa (their natural home) and the third largest tortoise in the world. It is not unusual to reach 50 lbs in five years. Potential enthusiast must be prepared for long-term care of these unique pets as they can easily out live their owners reaching 100 years old. Only the first year is lived in- doors. After that the yearling can be outside during nice weather and permanently upon reaching an adequate size and having appropriate conditions made safe from predators and dogs. Sulcata are low maintenance & very hardy pets (Please refer to 'Setup' and 'Care Information' in this site) |