Sulcata Tortoise Guide | The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

[@CreativePetKeeping]

I really liked this video. When it comes to animal care guides.. people tend to gloss over poop ..but its a big part of animal ownership and its good to know what we are getting into

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

Thanks 😁

[@ped2028221]

People put gloss on 💩?

[@btsarmy9681]

@@HappyTailsAnimals thanks

[@thedemonreupblican5803]

Impulse bought ducks no video about them mentioned poop those fuckers poop every 15 minutes like clockwork i had 9 of them so much popp so much

[@LuckyBadger]

I honestly want to thank you for talking me out of getting a sulcata. Now that I understand how important burrowing is to their natural behavior, I realize that I can't provide them with the best environment. Those pictures of pyramiding are absolutely heartbreaking, too.

[@turtleanton6539]

Indeed

[@MegaBuyer]

Hank's shell looks great!!! No pyramiding. Good job! This adds to your credibility.

[@DRiNKNiNK]

Hank DOES have pyramiding.

[@juancardenas8877]

@@DRiNKNiNK even if he does is not Rellevent.

[@tren35]

Im glad tortoise fans learns the word pyramiding, biut it gets kind of annoying in the comment section. Pyramiding comes in 2 forms: Metabolic insufficiency disease and growing too fast. Pyramiding doesnt means bad, it could means that it eating too well. That shell is exemplary, thats as good as captive shells get, perfect.

[@johnpatterson8697]

The Sulcata, best described as something between a tiny elephant, giant outdoor rumba, and drunken Bulldozer mine is about 100 pound male 23 years old with a round shell, my dad got him when I was one

[@juancardenas8877]

So you are 24?

[@TrueBeelzebub]

My family has a long history with sulcata tortoises We have a female 28 year old tortoise and I have two 1.5 year old tortoises named michael Angelo and Leonardo and I am pretty proud of their health

[@ricktay3409]

I’ve just recently bought a tortoise from a pet store. They told me it was a Horsefield (which only tend to grow to about 8 inches) and because it was a pet shop we had no reason to question it. We’ve now discovered (6 months later) that he is a Sulcata. Can’t get rid of him now though as I’ve fallen in love with him. 🤷‍♂️

[@Clover_knows_pets]

Was it petco or petsmart

[@Clover_knows_pets]

I hate those pet stores

[@xxteep]

lol went from gettin a 8 inch toirtose to one that will grow hundreds of pounds

[@melvargas1080]

Wow!!! How big is he now?

[@jeremyherald9780]

All pet stores suck. Absolute worst place to get information at

[@elizabethloewen7058]

We sectioned off a 20x20 area, dug it out 6 feet and laid concrete and lined the sides with metal fencing and 2x4s. After concrete dried we refilled the area, placed concrete bricks along the perimeter and placed a wood fence on the outer side of the bricks. Then we planted edible bushes and hibiscus trees. Our is still a juvenile so plenty of time for the grass bushes and trees to grow big and healthy before adding him!

[@Gyarren]

I do not, and cannot, have a tortoise as a pet. I do, however, find them absolutely adorable! Yours looks so happy and well-cared-for!

[@MotherOfWednesday]

Hank was my Grumpa's (grumpy grandpa) name! He looks like a very content tortoise, and his shell is one of the most smoothly shaped domes I have ever seen on a Sulcata (granted I have only seen pictures and videos online but still). It is good to see this ancient animal living outdoors in the sun.

[@factspita3659]

I JUST got my Sulcata not a full week ago, & she fits in the palm of my hand and I Know that won't last long... As they grow fairly quickly!! I can tell she's growing a little bit!! And I Kno what's to come!!! My friend Gave her to me!! He said he wasn't sure he could care for her properly! And I said then why DID you buy her! BEFORE RESEARCHING HOW TO CARE FOR HER!!! SMH;, WELL...I Took on the task and there's a lot that comes along with Being a Sulcata parent! But I'm up to the challenge and I'm so happy she's apart of our lives! And im thankful for videos like this that show HANDS on care! Thank you, and I bid you 2 a HAPPY JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE TOGETHER! ❤️❤️❤️🐢❤️❤️❤️👩❤️❤️❤️

[@patrickodonovan5066]

Excellent and informative instruction. You are a superb teacher. You have done a fine job caring for that tortoise. He is clearly happy and calm. His shell, his eyes and his beak are, well, simply beautiful.

[@Erinselysion]

Something similar to that story about their intelligence happened to me last Saturday! My mom thought she heard something in the yard and asked me to check it out, so I put on my shoes and walked through the grass, and it woke up my 2 yr old sulcata earlier than he usually gets up. After seeing that it was just some birds in the trees, I walked over to him and spent a couple minutes talking and petting his head. Yknow, bonding time with ya turt. I decided to go back to sleep for a couple hours, but around 10:30AM my mom opened my door and was like, "Okay I'm sorry to wake you up but I just got out of the shower and saw Sandy standing on the back porch, looking expectantly at the door. And when I opened the door to put him back in his pen he just walked right into the dining room like he owned the place." Like, he wanted more company so he pushed the fencing and boulders out of his way and walked up to the door! Just like you, I've been carrying mine from place to place when I need to, so he's definitely made a conscious effort to study and memorize his surroundings. I was like, baby I'm sorry I went back to bed I love you!

[@thatchanguy]

Photo of sulcata tortoise digging through dry wall. My mind: *Laughs in Kool-Aid man*

[@jada9710]

Thank you for this very honest and clear video about Hank and his care! Sadly you have convinced me not to get one... Love them so much and want to give them what they need! Keep up the good love and care you give Hank! Maybe I can do boarding for short term for others who have Sulcata tortoises and are going on vacations etc.

[@GinaSiska]

Your cute as a button. I’m a mom with 4 adult children and I love all of your animal videos!! Very informative and relaxing 😌 Thank you!

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

Thank you so much!

[@mytree123]

Thank you for sharing I have two African sulcata tortoises What attracted me most to the African sulcata tortoise when I first saw one 10 years ago, was they have around their shells beautiful patterns of feathers very amazing

[@angiethompson5648]

Thanks for this information!. I just got a 2 week old Salcuta, we live on a ranch that is a bit over half an acre in southern California. We have a duplex on this property. We each got a tortoise, (the owners live upstairs and we live downstairs) They are so tiny right now but I am quickly preparing myself for the rapid growth. The biggest problem is that even though we live on a decent size property my house is 528sq ft and the upstairs unit is a tad over 600sq ft ..... now we have 2 salcutas that will need to be inside in winter and I am petrified. Not to mention between the 2 units we have 2 dogs a cat and one grumpy bearded dragon. We are going to work on an outside enclosure with all the heat and lighting they will need but it'll be a long while before they can use that. Wish me luck!

[@boogeyman7777]

Beautiful tortoise.... these reptiles are magical to have in your backyard..I have one myself and I love him.. my boy Link

[@mikeb1189]

Great growth to have no pyramiding. Didn't know they could grow that fast, kudos

[@Lilgiddypolac90]

he looks like he has bucked teeth lol

[@elizabethfox2884]

Yes ! I noticed that too. I thought goodness he's got a beaver look going on. But, it was funny & cute to see him like that. 😀 good eye lol...

[@prettypoetic]

I thank you for the transparency and information. Hank is a funny guy too 😆

[@britb9447]

Great video. I would love more tortoises videos. I inherited my best friends 6 year old sulcata named Buger a year ago. Care for him has definitely been a lot harder then I expected. This summer we set him up a outdoor space and he loved it. With the weather changing He is now back indoors most days in his large tortoise table. I would love any housing tips as well as diet. I feel like I might be over feeding him lol

[@tiffanyzhu9587]

Sulcatas eat a lot and when they get bigger it’s a good idea to let them graze and just supplement with some veggies because they usually eat throughout the day. Just feed them every few days after the first 1-2 years so they don’t grow too fast.

[@slowpoke4557]

Mine literally wandered into my yard recently. He/she is only a couple months old and I'm trying to learn everything I can about them so I don't make any bad decisions. So far it looks like I'll be keeping him or her 😊 Thank you for your video, very helpful!

[@kasesausen6150]

"Hank the Tank"

[@Raaa1111..]

😂🤣

[@happycampa1]

Hank looks great! Very healthy. Awesome video, very informative. He's a big boy for 4 years old.

[@suzannetaylor8552]

I have one myself, her favorite food is corn on the cob! Enjoyed your video.

[@wizardville]

My dad decided to buy 2 of these for his apartment... I’m gonna have them for the rest of my life

[@roninjolin7687]

Your Dad already told you? Did you ask him?

[@wizardville]

@@roninjolin7687 unfortunately he lost both of them

[@roninjolin7687]

@@wizardville You probably don't want to talk about it then.... I just found a baby tortoise and most people are saying it's a sulcata and only 1 said it's a Russian tortoise

[@haisumbhatti]

Thank you for this video. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. Hank and you both are badass.

[@Lazuley_]

Please we need more of Hank! HANK IS SO ADORABLE AHHHHH!

[@wholesomerin]

Oh my gosh, I have a Sulcata Tortoise too, Turbo(My Sulcata Tortoise) is three, and I can tell is a little smaller than Hank. I’m really glad my tortoise is growing at a healthy rate.☺️✨ this video was very helpful and great💕

[@THEE.apples]

I wish there was a video like this for all species of tortoise.

[@paulturzio1472]

Thank you. You talked me out of having one.

[@FrugalPandaTravels]

I had monitors for many years but right now I have no reptiles. I think those look look and really chill as I age. Very calming kinda pet.

[@charlottehill7031]

Hank eating while you’re talking is really cute

[@lindaw2418]

You did a great job explaining the knowledge that you know. Your are very personable and smart in videoing. I’m impressed. I used to have box turtles as a kid and loved them.

[@maceylee3841]

I had to take care of an large tortoise much MUCH larger then Hank. Let me tell you poops are the size of large softballs

[@catlady8324]

2:57 A forklift would not work for large poop unless the poop was on a pallet.

[@samthegreatgenius]

This is a great video. You let me know about some major deal breakers. As cool as it would be to have one, I couldn't give them what they need. Thank you.

[@keithtaylor6069]

Your awesome girl,. Thanks for the info,. I just got a 70lb der . I have lots of land here in AZ. But he was in a tiny yard in Phoenix. Geeze. He is happy now. And I'm making an inclouser for him.

[@brocklee1996]

My sulcatta is 10 years old and 80 pounds...still growing. His poops are huge(comparable to a small horse's). I feed him my lawn. Lol. I do give him romaine lettuce too with calcium powder and vitamin powder. For a treat I give him apples , strawberries, squash and Mizzuri tortoise pellets.

[@meagansmith255]

Very helpful! Thank you!! I'm expecting my little baby salcata in a few weeks and am very excited!

[@fluffycottoncandycloud5946]

Very informative especially about the digging part

[@Meditation409]

I absolutely love your channel and vids! 😘

[@TheHeadown]

What an absolutely beautiful Tortoise.

[@MelvinFung]

I have a 3 year old sulcata right now, he is around 9.8 kg and more than 30cm long. How much do I feed him? Is there something like *x grams per kg*

[@tiffanyzhu9587]

MelvinTube It’s probably a better idea to let him graze outside because in the wild they mostly eat grass or weeds. Just make sure there are no harmful chemicals. Every few days i might supplement with some veggies like romaine lettuce or my tortoise really likes spring mix (with most spinach picked out)

[@lincarr3793]

Hello Meghan, wonderful video. Oh how I've wished for years we lived where it was possible to have one of these creatures. Love watching them at the Cleveland Zoo. Their set is such that if the tortoise want to be close to you for a scratch on their shells you can do that. I just sat down and one came right over to me and let me give it some scratches. It was so awesome until a family came with unruly kids and scared it away. They scared us away too. Don't get me wrong we love kids but not when parents let them be rude and obnoxious. Anyway small town in Ohio is not a place for one as a pet. I did the research. So we have Stubby the yellow belly slider. Yes you can spoil a turtle too😉💖 God bless you and yours, Lin

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

That sounds like a really cool experience, how nice that you can interact with the tortoises!

[@nadia9938]

I love your purple hair. I love watching all of your videos because i always learn something them all. 💜💛.

[@jessicahernandez9512]

I’ve researched the powder aka #3 and it says that if the irate is powdery that means they are retaining moisture. It’s actually a way for them to survive in the wild.

[@dieselfamc7276]

Hey your vids are awesome I have a Sulcata and it hises every time I try to pet it it’s 4 years old

[@jonbishop9062]

Diesel fam C you may be coming at it to fast. Their instinct is to retreat into the shell when approached. If it is withdrawing it is expelling air that makes it his. Let the tort come to your out reached hand. They do like their head scratched. He may be startled when you bet him.

[@johncown464]

I have 2 and your video is spot on. Thank you.

[@adventuringsisters3033]

I love sulcata tortoises this video was great I have a redfoot who I just love so much.

[@dariuscasaus57]

That's the biggest mood turtles and tortoises have, is stubbornness. That is a super common attitude with them

[@ilovemyfamilyandfriends9817]

I have a tort as well but sadly i do not live on a farm and i live in a neighborhood with a semi large yard.She basically lives in my house but i always put her outside to eat grasses and get those sun rays. i feel i am growing unable to care for her she is 4 years old and i am already overwhelmed i just want the best for her . where should i give her if those problems occur?

[@RazzyKidz]

Thank you for all the great information 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@GAMBiT_89]

Having a animal is never a mistake. People are the mistake. Great video btw 👍

[@EarthSignEmpress]

He’s amazing!!! An absolute unit.

[@eashasaroya4177]

I love your hair!!❤️❤️😍😍😄

[@oliver67379]

Easha Saroya Easha Saroya hi

[@alicep4321]

I have three hermann’s tortoises two of which are baby’s(hatchlings) and they flip each other and themselves so much but there is always some one about do they are fine Great vid very informative 🤍🤍

[@winks478]

I have a sulcata going on 7 years and he had a set behavior pattern for winter and summer. Usually in the summer he comes out to eat after the sun has gone down. July 8th was the last time we have seen him. He does have his own hole and I know its very deep. When I would call for him it would take him about 10 to 15 minutes to come up. We fed him on July 8th and that was the last time we saw him. It is July 24 today. He has never done this in the summer in the winter yes. In the winter he is like clock work dissapears in November and he appears in March when it is getting warm. Has your tortoise disappeared like that?

[@HappyTailsAnimals]

Sulcatas are NOT capable of hibernating. So he is going months without food and water every year, so that means he is very unhealthy. Doesn't seem surprising that something might have happened to him.

[@77mayham]

Our Tortise is outside and dug a pretty deep burrow and it is feb and we finally got her to come out today and she is ok . But it has been months since we seen her we got her when she was a baby and it has been 2015/2016 so we are trying to find her a sanctuary to go to because we want her to be healthy happy and have a bigger area then what we can provide

[@jerryhermann7233]

Your adorable! Keep up the great videos.

[@hernandez205]

Great video and info, I've thought about buying one for a long time. I'm subscribing for more salcata videos and because your cute

[@johnnycruz7794]

You’ve done a great job with him !!

[@mzmami8o8]

U said there was powder thing coming out of him?can u explain more . I’ve never heard of this before

[@LovingRiv]

Please do a tortoise care video, I have a baby sulcata and want the best care for him

[@sfv6]

My sulcata about 2 years old and he loves to hunt dog poop rather than eat grass, which is driving me nuts!

[@happyturtle70aj50]

OMG thank you this gives me a lot a Imfomation on them I have 2 of them

[@neilsantosh8897]

Haha...Hank was trying to run away!😂 but you did an amazing job making this video! Hank is really lucky to have you 😃😄

[@RavenWoodWriter1]

Wow! Thank you so much, I am so glad I watched this. I will not be getting one and that's OK. I still love them.

[@zifengjiang5899]

Thank you so much for such a great video❤I am considering to get a sulcada as a pet but is worried about how big they will eventually be. Thank you for sharing how fast they grow, I thought for a sulcada to get to Hank's size it would took around 10 years but 4 years old? Gosh they grow fast! Also thank you for showing his poop, I was expecting more solid poops.

[@slicksavage]

i live in florida is that a good climate ?

[@ZebraJenn]

There's breeders in Florida so it should be a great climate for the most part.

[@corneliusbrown3112]

@@ZebraJenn yeah I just got 1 yesterday

[@KingFillip]

Can we get an update on hank?!

[@kirstyoneill9054]

Brilliant and informative video, thank you! I live in the UK and have wanted a sulcata for a few years. After watching this video I’ve realised it would be somewhat cruel of me to get one with this climate, and the amount of time he/she would have to spend indoors, unhappily. I’ll just admire them from a distance instead. Thanks for showing the reality of sulcata care … and the size of their 💩! 😂

[@RickLezzMorty8448]

You just ruined my day haha I really wanted one but yea I can’t have a Tortoise digging into the Neighbors yard they have dogs also I don’t wanna hold it back from doing what it does but thank you for the info both me and some tortoise out there both appreciate it

[@eliskasatorova5149]

Thank you from Czech Republic :) I really need this video.

[@samhind4231]

Great video your tortoise is beautiful ! 💕💖💕 I have a redfoot tortoise that weighs over 9 pound I know what you mean about the poop ! 😂😂😂 I love him to bits though they really are amazing !

[@StingraySteve]

Mine is going on 2 .What am I in for LOL One Of the best videos I have seen . I joined your channel too !

[@s1mone477]

My gosh I love Sulcata tortoises!! 😩😩

[@____j____a____c____k6466]

If you keep it outside does it need a light?

[@pinkwerewolf]

My Sulcatas grew up in bins, and then went to the yard. They do pretty fine. having two helps when it has to growing with them, they will turn the other over if flipped. You mentioned pyramiding. I gave the two torts have plenty of calcium, the same in fact from two diff brewds.... but one had some pyrimiding and the other did not~ so it's still unsure

[@biarlebihhijau5331]

good information for sulcata's owner 🙏 hi from indonesia

[@finnoneill7774]

I have a pet sulcat tortoise and she is very sweet and loves me and my family, she is about 13 years old and loves corn, what foods does your tortoise like?

[@samanthakwnsnziao9085]

My tortoise is 9 months , I can’t wait for him to get that big ! I got him when he was just 1 month

[@samanthakwnsnziao9085]

And he’s a sulcuta as well :)

[@samanthakwnsnziao9085]

Sulcata *

[@princewilliamthefox3825]

Honest,informative,straight-forward VIDEO.,......Well done,and he IS a beauty.,....Good luck!!,"++++++"

[@scottkinderdine3317]

they grow fast for 4 to 5 years then start slowing down after that.. Males can easily reach 200 pounds

[@blip-2024]

Before I got my Redfoot tortoises I made arrangements for their care after I'm gone. My adult son is very excited to have them..... in (I hope) 30 or 40 years

[@oliviamiller6432]

I have a sulcata tortoise and she is 2 years old and is no where near the size of hank. But I am right now dealing with some dry skin on her skin in her shell is there anything you have done to help hank with this or is this something that younger tortoises deal with I soak her very often and I am wondering if I would not use sand in her tortoise box ? Any ideas ?

[@bassingbasics6621]

That tortoise pic made my week 😂😂

[@uae0089]

thanks a lot! i was looking for such video.

[@pineapplelord2422]

how do i increase the humidity and how much calcium should i give them?

[@Cyborgon]

Hi can you do an update video on Hank now it's 2 years later to see the size difference

[@carterwaggoner1671]

I want to get a salcata tortoise but I don’t have a large backyard, this won’t be a problem though because by the time he’s that large I’ll be out of high school, but I’m not sure what to do then

[@myayazzie3459]

Cant Tortoises flip themselves back over? LOVE your videos

[@strikergames7741]

Can you make video about red footed tortoise?

[@TotoTortoiseNFriends]

What was the humidity you provided to him when he was baby?

[@TDepatie]

Great video, lots of great info. Would love an update!!

[@chrishanes1495]

Baby sulc enclosure temperature range? I'm trying to get it right for my 4 month old?

[@tiffanyzhu9587]

Chris Hanes I would say around high 70s to low 80s in the day 70-75 at night, and make sure the basking spot is nice and hot (I think roughly around 95). Make sure the moisture is around 40-50% Edit - the temperatures can range

[@Arizona_lilly]

Ours is about 6 years old same size

[@mrparker7487]

He is awsome...he got big quick that mean great care...👍

[@carlyhart9209]

Thank you this helped a lot! :)