What do I need for a sulcata tortoise?
Sulcata tortoises are herbivorous, grazing tortoises that need a high-fiber, low-protein diet. This can be provided by feeding a variety of grasses and hays (comprising at least 75 percent of their diet), along with some edible weeds and flowers, such as dandelions, clover, endive, and cactus pads.
Are Sulcata tortoises low maintenance?
Do not let their large size intimidate you, they still make a great beginner tortoise, just as long as they are not handled frequently! As with the Russian Tortoise, the Sulcata likes burrowing and digging. They are also like most tortoises on this list as they readily eat grass, lettuce and leaves.
How much are Sulcata tortoises worth?
Geochelone sulcata is a hardy and personable species of tortoise. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, it became part of the lucrative pet trade during the 1990s. It has an engaging nature, is attractive and sells for anywhere between $50 and $1,000.
Are Sulcata tortoises hard to care for?
According to the 9,250-person-strong Facebook group Sulcata Tortoises, the animals are “no trouble at all.” But they don’t stay small for long. Properly cared for, males can grow to over 200 pounds, females around half that.
When should A sulcata tortoise live outside?
If the weather is below 60-degrees Fahrenheit , keep your baby tortoise inside. The warmer it is, the better, so 70-degrees is safer than 60, but you can put your baby sulcata outside when it’s 60-degrees. Just be careful and keep an eye on your tortoise’s carapace temperature with a digital temperature gun.
What do I feed a baby sulcata tortoise?
What to Feed Your Sulcata Tortoise Basic Diet of a Sulcata Tortoise. Sulcatas need a high-fiber, low-protein, calcium-rich diet. Additional Foods. There are many other plants and flowers that can be fed on a regular basis (following the 80%-20% rule) providing valuable nutrients and variety. Toxic Foods. When to Feed and How Much.
Can sulcatas live indoors?
Young sulcata tortoises can be raised indoors. While outdoor housing is preferred anytime the temperatures are in the acceptable range, many people raise their sulcatas indoors for the first few years of life. Probably the best enclosures to use are simple plastic sweaterboxes, or a ” tortoise table ,” which you can buy or make yourself.
Do sulcatas carry salmonella?
Most, if not all, reptiles carry the Salmonella bacteria, but that doesn’t mean that you will get salmonella from a sulcata. To avoid getting salmonella follow basic hygiene procedures. Wash your hands before and after handling your sulcata
