Geochelone sulcata might make our home his home!

by AK - Jeff 20 Replies latest social physical

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  AK - Jeff

  He/she is currently about 6 inches long - but this species is the largest continental tortoise on the planet! They can get 3 feet in length and weigh up to 200 pounds.

  This one was orphaned somehow in our northern city - wandering down the roads, inviting disaster. We have not been able to determine an owner and are busy learning how to keep it alive. There is lot of info on the internet, and I have gotten nice aid from the local reptile expert.

  I don't know if we will keep it - that requires a massive committment and some space for proper housing. We have a place that can be converted - just haven't determined yet our intensity to the task.

  Jeff
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  Gregor

  Keep him if you can. These are wonderful animals and unlike other exotic pets I don't believe they are diminished in their quality of life by captivity. Very cool. They live forever. Not very cuddly but they are interesting. We gave a grandaughter a pet shop turtle the size of an Oreo cookie and she had it for 12 yrs until he "ran" away. He was the size of a biker's helmet.
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  BabaYaga

  Scritch him on the neck and under the chin... tortoises love that beyond all reasoning.
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  BurnTheShips

  I love the Testudines!!! And I have always wanted a member of Geochelone. Specifically Geochelone Carbonaria-Red Footed tortoises. In my wife's birthplace, many people keep them in their gardens as pets, they are called Morrocoys in Venezuela, they are native there and considered good luck. They get enormous. Be careful with diet, too much protein make the sections on their carapaces pyramid. There is plenty of info on the net.

  Now here where I live, the back acres of my property are riddled with burrows dug by Gopherus polyphemus. They are endangered. I have rescued several crossing the roads, as well as more common box turtles and water turtles. I've been sworn at by angry drivers for blocking the traffic to assist them when crossing, which happens more during their breeding season when they are looking for love. And I can tell you more, I had a box turtle as boy. I figured out it was a girl when she laid an egg. I've watched female loggerheads dig nests on our beaches on dark summer nights. It is a religious experience when you encounter one in the dark while jogging or strolling on the beach. I love turtles! Good luck with yours.

  BTS
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  AK - Jeff

  Wow! Such nice encouragement. Thanx all

  I am surprised by the amount of love out there for the simple turtle/tortoise. I spent hours in the past 24 looking up information - first to identify the species, then the proper way to care for him/her [yes the little darlings' gender remains mystery still]. I was very surprised to find how many advocates/lovers of these animals there are out there. There are tons of info on how to do this. The only question remains is our committment to this endeavor.

  One of the reasons we may take it on is our grandkids, whom we have been raising now for 5 years. They are all totally in love with this idea already, and I can see family bonding opportunities over time as they age. After all, how many families get to share the rearing and care of such a large reptilian family member? There have got to be bonding times in that! Not to mention that we will likely get to meet all their friends as they are paraded thru to see him/her. That can be useful as they push toward teenage years. The kids are even discussing lifespans, and comparing mine and Wifey's with that of the turtle, to determine chain of custody should we leave [in death] before him. That conversation was interesting.

  Jeff
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  purplesofa

  This is really cool for all of you Jeff.

  I guess he will do OK in your climate?

  I remember riding big turtles when I was a kid in Florida at a zoo or farm, I wonder if it's the same kind.

  Have fun,

  purps
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  AK - Jeff

  The big ones at the zoos are mostly a different species I think.

  Our climate is not right for them, so we would need to have a large inside enclosure. We have the space. In the summer he could be outside.

  Jeff
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  cameo-d

  Jeff, I am just wondering....if your climate is not right for them...how did the turtle end up there? Many animals have acclimated to areas outside of what their "normal range" is supposed to be.

  
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  AK - Jeff

  Cameo -

  There is no way this animal got here by any normal means. He was most likely an exotic pet. It may have escaped from a backyard or was carried outside and wandered off. Based on his size, he is prob around a year old or so.

  I have left my number in the likely places in case the person who lost him is looking.

  Honestly though - why would anyone intentionally purchase an animal that is likely to get the size of a coffee table and 200 lbs or more? Other than rescueing him I can't imagine that I would ever choose such. Tortoises are not cuddly. They are fascinating creatures though.

  We continue the debate about what course of action to take ourselves. Just glad he didn't die from exposure. Our nights were getting down to around the 40's when we got him. These animals need lots of heat in daytime, and fairly warm nights. They are from Sub-Sahara area of Africa.

  Jeff
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  BurnTheShips

  There was an enormous endangered gopher tortoise trying to cross a four laner today.

  I made a U turn at the nearest opportunity to go back and rescue it.

  I was towing a trailer, that slowed me down.

  By the time I got to the spot where it was, it was too late. An asshole in traffic ran over it and split its shell. Assholes assholes assholes. The don't bother to slow down or stop and carry it out of the way. Sometimes I thinl people are evil.

  BTS