testing (please read)

VieT · #1 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 02:57 PM

hey..

this is a post on behalf of my girlfriend mother and brother.

they are "thinking" about getting a tortoise of some sort... something that can live inside on a torn table but over time would be able to go outside in the summer months..

we have been advised either

leopard OR sulcata

we are aware this will outlive all of us

and would be afamily pet... but would mainly be for the girlfriends brother (5) to grow with and pass on.

looking for a price.. and as much information as possible on whatever you would think is best

peace

James

Synergy · #2 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 03:14 PM

leopard torts
herman torts

Sulcatas grow really quick mate so wouldnt be in a tort table long

VieT · #3 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synergy

leopard torts
herman torts

Sulcatas grow really quick mate so wouldnt be in a tort table long

space isnt realyu the issue...

just saying a tort table would be used (whilst size is a factor)

oterwise.. they have a spare shed wich could be insulated and used as a "home" for it ...

otherwise im sure i read somewhere somebody had one that roamed their home...

they do have a dog... who would no doubt show interest so this wouldnt realy be plausable to elt it roam the house..

but could easily have part of the house (kitchen area neer backdoor) and outside when warm enough

peace

James

Synergy · #4 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 05:22 PM

yeah i know a few who have them roaming around the home with dogs around but the torts are a good size.....

Although a sulcata wouldnt be able to so a BIG back yard and enclosure would be needed

Mark

fantapants · #5 (**permalink**) 02-04-2008, 05:52 PM

I really wouldnt recomend a sulcata. they grow to be three foot long and weigh more than a rottweiller. they produce gallons of urates and CANT be housetrained. 90% of sulcs are male and there is no way to tell until they drop their ( large) penis on the floor and a litre (at least) of fluid follows it. that can happen 2-3 times a day. Males can also be aggressive and mine charged around the garden trying to attack my 45kg male rotty. they dig tunnels up to 10ft deep and 20ft long. They pass a huge anmount of uric acid and if it is kept indoors your carpets, wooden flooring and even lino will be completely and utterely destroyed as they try to dig. To heat this tort in the winter you are talking about using atleast 2kw PER HOUR for a small shed so at the current rates your leccy bill will increase by approx £40 a week.

A leopard tort is a better choice out of the two but will still need the same care, heating wise. My winter electric bill is £100 ( on top of my normal domestic bill) a month just on basking lights and background heating in the day time.

A smaller tort like a horsefield would be perfect and manageable for them. will happily stay in a table or the garden and is hardy, robust and doesnt get that heavy.

VieT · #6 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinkerbruce

I really wouldnt recomend a sulcata. they grow to be three foot long and weigh more than a rottweiller. they produce gallons of urates and CANT be housetrained. 90% of sulcs are male and there is no way to tell until they drop their ( large) penis on the floor and a litre (at least) of fluid follows it. that can happen 2-3 times a day. Males can also be aggressive and mine charged around the garden trying to attack my 45kg male rotty. they dig tunnels up to 10ft deep and 20ft long. They pass a huge anmount of uric acid and if it is kept indoors your carpets, wooden flooring and even lino will be completely and utterely destroyed as they try to dig. To heat this tort in the winter you are talking about using atleast 2kw PER HOUR for a small shed so at the current rates your leccy bill will increase by approx £40 a week.

A leopard tort is a better choice out of the two but will still need the same care, heating wise. My winter electric bill is £100 ( on top of my normal domestic bill) a month just on basking lights and background heating in the day time.

A smaller tort like a horsefield would be perfect and manageable for them. will happily stay in a table or the garden and is hardy, robust and doesnt get that heavy.

thankyou..

i think the reason they were edging towards a "larger" species like sulcata is ebcause they didnt think a smaller tort could be put in the garden...

they have a HUGE back garden for it to "play" in (cant thing of the right word for a tort :P) wich is fenced off from where the dogs can go..

what sort of price are they looking at for a horsefield and how fast would it grow (considering size when bought etc)

peace

James

blondesarah · #7 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 10:46 AM

I woudl do lots of research first. I have a leopard and she is so strong and heavy.
If you have the space why not!

Synergy · #8 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 11:00 AM

VieT show them this....

This is my friends old 11yr Old Sulcata ( In Temp House as weather damaged outside one )

He weighed in excess of 3-4st in weight and could move.... Always charged at you and making a gruntin noise of a fashion lol but only when it was feedin time.

Tina · #9 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 09:52 PM

Moved to Shelled for you... you may get more replies.

clive1973 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinkerbruce

I really wouldnt recomend a sulcata. they grow to be three foot long and weigh more than a rottweiller. they produce gallons of urates and CANT be housetrained. 90% of sulcs are male and there is no way to tell until they drop their ( large) penis on the floor and a litre (at least) of fluid follows it. that can happen 2-3 times a day. Males can also be aggressive and mine charged around the garden trying to attack my 45kg male rotty. they dig tunnels up to 10ft deep and 20ft long. They pass a huge anmount of uric acid and if it is kept indoors your carpets, wooden flooring and even lino will be completely and utterely destroyed as they try to dig. To heat this tort in the winter you are talking about using atleast 2kw PER HOUR for a small shed so at the current rates your leccy bill will increase by approx £40 a week.

A leopard tort is a better choice out of the two but will still need the same care, heating wise. My winter electric bill is £100 ( on top of my normal domestic bill) a month just on basking lights and background heating in the day time.

A smaller tort like a horsefield would be perfect and manageable for them. will happily stay in a table or the garden and is hardy, robust and doesnt get that heavy.

2 KW per hour !!!! You are kidding me. Do you insulate with celotex ? I have a 12 x 8 feet shed and the heat lamps and maps keep it @ 20c night and 30c Day in the winter using 800watts. I use eco 7 time so I heat at night (their daytime and our day time is their night time ) to save costs. I only have 250 watts on during their night time and it does not go below 20

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