Tortoise found in backyard!

[Nebulous]

So I go in my backyard today. I moved one of my garbage bins and what did I find underneath it???



This guy:

I made him a little habitat by taking a pet carrier (for a dog or cat) apart and zip-tying the two pieces together. I had a heat lamp from a lizard I had years ago...



Here's his house:

...Anyway, I knocked on my immediate neighbors doors and asked them if they lost a turtle/tortoise and they said no.



I know that tortoise's eat veggies so I made him/her a plate of lettuce and broccoli.



I have a few questions to anyone who knows turtles/tortoises:

- What type of tortoise is it?

- How do I figure out how old it is? (it seems pretty big)

- How do I figure out if it is male or female?

- Is the soil I put in there a good bedding or should I use something else?

- Should I add or take out anything from it's habitat?

- What should I feed it?

 

[Flurry]

Wow! Rare to see something like that in a back yard other then the standard small types!

 

[Nebulous]

I posted on a Tortoise forum I found on google and they all said it was a Sulcata tortoise. At least now I know what to research for.

 

[Flurry]

I posted on a Tortoise forum I found on google and they all said it was a Sulcata tortoise. At least now I know what to research for.

Awesome! Good thinking to do that! Whatcha gonna name it?

 

[Nebulous]

No name yet..



Apparently his shell is so bumpy because he is unhealthy. It should be a smooth rounded shell.



Its called pyramiding

Caused by:

A) A diet which contains animal proteins (many tortoises are vegetarian animals, and eat NO meat whatsoever.)

B ) A diet which contains a high percentage of vegetable proteins, even for vegetarian tortoises.

C) Not enough calcium in the diet. Calcium is very important for proper growth!

D) Little or no exposure to natural sunlight. Tortoises kept indoors are much more prone.

E) Inadequate intake of Vitamin D3 in the diet and/or too much Phosphorus.

F) Intake of grocery produce which contains too much moisture, has little vitamin content and not nearly enough fiber.



So apparently the best way to take care of a tortoise like this is to get some chicken wire, fence off an area in the back yard and let him roam free munching on weeds and grass.

 

[Sakura]

Name it Rocky.

 

[Nebulous]

This type of tortoise gets HUGE:

Its kind of like having a dog with a shell.

 

[Jazzy]

Because of the pyramiding, I can't help but feel this turtle belongs to someone in your neighborhood. How on earth would a Sulcata tortoise which are native in Africa wind up in your backyard unless someone bought him/her from a pet shop. Bet sooner or later you're going to see fliers for a missing turtle or a knock on your door asking if you've seen the turtle. More than likely, it was kept indoors but was put out for some freah air. Somehow, he/she managed to just walk away from the yard. It was very nice of you to make a home for him/her and try to feed it. Man, I can't believe how BIG these turtles can get!

I feel bad for a turtle like this to be taken away from its natural habitat and kept as a pet. It's better off in a zoo that has a section dedicated for a turtle like this. At least they would know how to properly take care of it.

 

[The Dragon Master]

Awww, look at it

It's cute XD

 

[Flurry]

No name yet..



Apparently his shell is so bumpy because he is unhealthy. It should be a smooth rounded shell.



Its called pyramiding

Caused by:

A) A diet which contains animal proteins (many tortoises are vegetarian animals, and eat NO meat whatsoever.)

B ) A diet which contains a high percentage of vegetable proteins, even for vegetarian tortoises.

C) Not enough calcium in the diet. Calcium is very important for proper growth!

D) Little or no exposure to natural sunlight. Tortoises kept indoors are much more prone.

E) Inadequate intake of Vitamin D3 in the diet and/or too much Phosphorus.

F) Intake of grocery produce which contains too much moisture, has little vitamin content and not nearly enough fiber.



So apparently the best way to take care of a tortoise like this is to get some chicken wire, fence off an area in the back yard and let him roam free munching on weeds and grass.

Oh wow, and I thought those bump like looking things on his shell was natural. And I bet it takes years for a Turtle to get that big!

 

[Evil Eye]

You found a moving rock!

 

[Nebulous]

Making an outdoor pen for my new turtle. Bought some chicken wire & posts. He likes to dig so the fence is going under the ground almost a foot. I dug about 6 inches until the dirt was too hard. I filled up the trenches with water & it looks like an island with a moat around it. I'd take a picture but it got dark out. Guess I'll finish tomorrow when the water soaks into the ground & makes it easier to dig.

 

[Corleone]

Cool turtle. Thought of a name for it yet?

 

[Nebulous]

Well the owner came and claimed the turtle. Apparently she lived a couple doors down and came through asking if we have seen the turtle. (guess she missed me the 1st time and I missed her when I went asking)

I told her I had found a turtle. She showed me some pictures of it and it was the same one. Also she had all her kids with her and they were all excited to see him, so I give him back.

She gave me a $20 reward.



Now I have the pen set up in the back yard with no animal to occupy it. Debating on wether or not I should take it down or get my own turtle.

 

[Flurry]

Well that sucks and is good at the same time! I'd go and get yourself a Turtle though!

 

[Jazzy]

Because of the pyramiding, I can't help but feel this turtle belongs to someone in your neighborhood. How on earth would a Sulcata tortoise which are native in Africa wind up in your backyard unless someone bought him/her from a pet shop. Bet sooner or later you're going to see fliers for a missing turtle or a knock on your door asking if you've seen the turtle. More than likely, it was kept indoors but was put out for some freah air. Somehow, he/she managed to just walk away from the yard. It was very nice of you to make a home for him/her and try to feed it. Man, I can't believe how BIG these turtles can get!

I feel bad for a turtle like this to be taken away from its natural habitat and kept as a pet. It's better off in a zoo that has a section dedicated for a turtle like this. At least they would know how to properly take care of it.

I was right and I'm sad you had to give up the turtle but happy the kids have their turtle back. As far as getting another turtle, that's up to you.

 

[Evil Eye]

So what was the turtle's name?



Might as well get a turtle if you've got everything set up.

 

[Nebulous]

I think I am going to take it down... All that work for nothing.

Oh well.

 

[Jazzy]

I think I am going to take it down... All that work for nothing.

Oh well.

It really wasn't for nothing. You provided the turtle with a nice safe area. Did you ever find out what the turtles name was?