sulcata growth, pics, housing- info please

[blackcat38]

I don't have any but love one when I eventually have to room, their size is amazing and it would be so cool to have one plodding around your garden

Can sulcata mums and dads post pics of their babies and their homes please? From the tiny ones to the huge ones, it would be really interesting to see.

I don't want to be a pain but could you also post age, scl, weight just to give an idea of their growth

if anyone has kept a record of weight/scl with dates from hatchling
to adult that would be so helpful.

can't wait to see pics!

[bothrops]

No full details but these are some of the guys at work. Going from top to bottom is an '08, and '07 and an (estimated) 12 year old. The '08 is probably around 12cm scl.



This is a close up of the bottom one (Miranda)



Here is a shot of the other adults who Miranda lives with (largest is estimated at 15 years ish). Miranda is a little smaller than the large two (this biggest of which is called Grumpy!). The small one at the back is ASBO and she has more attitude than the other three put together!



Cheers

Andy

This is a tiny corner of their shed which is around 12ft x 15ft and opens onto a 30ft square outdoor enclosure. The youngsters (I think we have 6 or 7) are kept in a large tort table in the exotics house.

[blackcat38]

Originally Posted by bothrops

No full details but these are some of the guys at work. Going from top to bottom is an '08, and '07 and an (estimated) 12 year old. The '08 is probably around 12cm scl.



.

Thanks so much for post those pics, I love this one, It definitely helps you visualise the age:length relationship


Anybody got anymore?

[MissHayho]

I am considering getting a sulcata - it would have free roam of the garden and we're converting a kennel into a heated area as we think a shed would be a bit harder to heat?!

The only concern we actually have now is the cost of feeding and also we have dogs - obviously dogs are naturally inquisitive and i dont want to have the tortoise harassed so obviously we may have to fence off some garden to seperate - also the other cncern is the dog poo- could this harm the sulcata? Just things that we have thought about!?

I really would love a sulcata but i want to make sure everything is covered before i get one......

Sorry if t seems im hijacking your thread but the pics made me want one even more nw!!!!

LOL

[blackcat38]

I only thing that I'm concerned about is how quickly they actually grow because everywhere I read they say they grow really fast.
I think the kennel idea is good for when it's smaller, I don't think there's any point heating a big shed for a tort that is only say 15cm, I think they only need somewhere to warm up when they start to cool down, in summer I mean, winter they would prob need a shed cos they'd be in more rather than out.

When it's fully grown in the winter it would be like feeding a pony i guess, having to buy hay, but summer I imagine would be a lot cheaper. My sister has 2 horses and it costs her like £60 a week on hay in the winter (I think that’s right, if I’ve remembered that completely wrong I'll let you know) I don't think it would be anywhere near that, well if you only had one that is.

Are you thinking of getting a baby or adult? I'm thinking of a baby.

If you get a baby the dogs might be a problem but once it’s bigger, or if you get an adult I don't think it would be a problem. I have 3 cats and 3 redfoots, when the cats first saw the torts they were very inquisitive but know they are use to them and don't both them at all. I don't know if dog poo would be a problem but I'd clear it up, if my torts smell dog poo the actively go to find it and eat it, no idea why lol but its just gross

Originally Posted by MissHayho

I am considering getting a sulcata - it would have free roam of the garden and we're converting a kennel into a heated area as we think a shed would be a bit harder to heat?!

The only concern we actually have now is the cost of feeding and also we have dogs - obviously dogs are naturally inquisitive and i dont want to have the tortoise harassed so obviously we may have to fence off some garden to seperate - also the other cncern is the dog poo- could this harm the sulcata? Just things that we have thought about!?

I really would love a sulcata but i want to make sure everything is covered before i get one......

Sorry if t seems im hijacking your thread but the pics made me want one even more nw!!!!

LOL

[MissHayho]

lol i know what you mean, well theres one available at the mo that i like. Im just trying to think of everything first so i am sure if that makes sense!!

I dont want to get one and find out that actually i cant look after it if you know what i mean

[wizzasmum]

Originally Posted by MissHayho

I am considering getting a sulcata - it would have free roam of the garden and we're converting a kennel into a heated area as we think a shed would be a bit harder to heat?!

The only concern we actually have now is the cost of feeding and also we have dogs - obviously dogs are naturally inquisitive and i dont want to have the tortoise harassed so obviously we may have to fence off some garden to seperate - also the other cncern is the dog poo- could this harm the sulcata? Just things that we have thought about!?

I really would love a sulcata but i want to make sure everything is covered before i get one......

Sorry if t seems im hijacking your thread but the pics made me want one even more nw!!!!

LOL

I'm really not being funny here, but where would it roam about in winter if it only had a kennel. It still needs roaming area, which is why so many get rehomed or die A large heated area is essential which is why I worry for my leos as they get bigger, and they have the rear of my garage and are not as large as a sulcata.

[jahred]

A large heated area is essential which is why I worry for my leos as they get bigger, and they have the rear of my garage and are not as large as a sulcata.

As Wizzasmum has stated, they need a massive area in which to live in; much larger than most houses can provide. Also, the heating bills to keep such animals warm in winter are astronomical.

[blackcat38]

I don’t doubt that they need a massive area and I agree the heating bills would be like burning money, the idea of this thread was for existing sulcata owners to post pictures of their torts homes to give people idea of what is needed throughout the growth of one of these torts, from baby to adult.

Maybe the kennel idea was to provide heating for a juvenile tort in the summer months; I don’t think she specified the size of tort or what time of year it will be used, so I don’t think it’s fair to assume she meant a dog kennel for an adult in the winter.

[wizzasmum]

Originally Posted by blackcat38

I don’t doubt that they need a massive area and I agree the heating bills would be like burning money, the idea of this thread was for existing sulcata owners to post pictures of their torts homes to give people idea of what is needed throughout the growth of one of these torts, from baby to adult.

Maybe the kennel idea was to provide heating for a juvenile tort in the summer months; I don’t think she specified the size of tort or what time of year it will be used, so I don’t think it’s fair to assume she meant a dog kennel for an adult in the winter.

I must have read that wrong - I did think I saw a ref to difficulty of heating a larger area though.
Maybe this is the time to add this link for anyone thinking of getting one of these
Turtle Homes - Sulcata test