I am a sucker for cute little baby animals. That being said, most people who have ever seen a hatchling-size tortoise will no doubt understand how I came to be the proud parent of a Sulcata tortoise. About seven years ago, I was perusing a pet shop in San Antonio, Texas, innocently killing time and certainly not looking to bring any animals home. I was a college student at the time and had absolutely no business taking on any more responsibility than I already had on my plate. However, when I saw the Sulcata tortoise hatchlings for sale, so tiny they would fit in the palm of my hand, I was hooked.

I did not take home a Sulcata that day. Instead, I spent the next few months peering at them in pet stores until the babies were out of season and were all sold out, and spent the next few months after that researching the breed. I was determined to make an educated decision on whether or not the breed was right for me.

When a tortoise is a baby, it is near impossible to realize all the care that must go into keeping such a pet. They look like simple enough animals – put them into an aquarium with some chippings and some veggies and they’re totally easy keepers, right?? Wrong!

Tortoises require appropriate lighting if they are kept inside (which is generally required if you have a hatchling) – both UVA and UVB bulbs kept on for 12-14 hours per day. They also require heat lamps. Some people recommend heating pads but I would recommend the lamps as it is easier for tortoises to burn themselves on the pads. A tortoise needs varying temperatures in its environment – a cooler area at room temperature and a basking area where the temperature is kept warmer. The temperatures vary slightly depending on the type of tortoise you are housing, but as a general rule, the basking area should be maintained at 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some species of tortoises require daily soaking for the first year of their life in shallow water to prevent dehydration. Tortoises are generally not swimmers though so be sure the water is not too deep! Once the tortoise is older than one year, you can move to weekly soakings. The tortoise should always have fresh water out to drink and you should always make sure the dish is not too deep.

Tortoises require special diets. A diet of commercially-produced tortoise food is not sufficient to keep a pet tortoise healthy. Different breeds of torts require different grasses, vegetables and fruits. If a person decides a tortoise is a good pet for him or her, he or she needs to then research exactly what types of foods that particular breed of tortoise requires to maintain good health. Many of the foods needed by tortoises can be grown at home with just a little effort. However, it must be recognized that having a tortoise as a pet does require more effort at feeding time than simply pouring the same food out of a container into a bowl every night.

Tortoises need calcium supplements. Rep-Cal is a good supplement and I have found it to be readily available at most pet stores. It is available in a powdered form that can easily be sprinkled on veggies.

Tortoises grow. Some of them grow to be quite large. In six years, my Sulcata has grown from a tiny hatchling that would fit in my palm to a 35-pound eating machine. Tortoises must be given sufficient room to grow. I have heard people say that a tortoise will only grow to the size of the enclosure it is kept in. This is simply not true and it would be cruel to keep a growing animal in a small enclosure in an effort to keep it from growing.

Tortoises can be kept outside if the weather allows it. If the temperature dips below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the tortoise must be brought inside. Outdoor enclosures must be predator-proof and it is generally best to have a sunken fence to discourage a tortoise from burrowing out of the enclosure.

If a tortoise does not have appropriate lighting, temperatures, nourishment and room to move, they can develop many different types of problems, including, but not limited to: Pyramiding of the shell, soft shell, liver failure, and kidney failure.

After reading all this, a person may find himself or herself thinking, “Oh man! Who would want such a pet?? I never knew a tortoise could be such a hassle!” Once a person gets the hang of keeping a tortoise, provided that he or she has adequate room to house the animal, it really is not difficult. A tortoise is an animal that will thrive in a home where its keeper enjoys actively learning about the animal and researching better and better ways to take care of the animal. This is not an animal you can put into a cage and forget about. Once you are into a routine and are well-educated about your tortoise, the care of the tortoise does become easier and easier. Ideally a person would be well-educated about the particular tortoise breed he or she is considering purchasing before bringing the tortoise home. If you enjoy spending time with your pet and are willing to put the extra energy into the care of your pet, these animals can be quite rewarding to keep. My husband and I enjoy nothing more than sitting on our porch and watching Bruiser, our Sulcata, cruise around our yard and mow for us. She comes to us when we call her. She begs to be petted and loves attention and human interaction. She follows our dog around the yard. She’s a sucker for the occasional strawberry. We absolutely love her. However, Bruiser is not a pet suitable for just anyone.

Before you buy an animal such as a tortoise, do your research, and think long and hard on just how much time you have to invest in an animal, particularly if you are purchasing a hatchling. Hatchlings require the most time and effort to keep them healthy.

For more in-depth information on various breeds of tortoises, I recommend the following sites:

http://www.sulcata-station.org/
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/

I hope you found this article to be helpful. I welcome any comments or questions and I can be reached by filling out the comment form below.