My neighbor found a baby tortoise, and gave it to me.

[TheUnfleshedOne]

Hello everyone.

Yesterday my neighbor knocked on my door and told me she had a baby tortoise in her back yard. Knowing I kept creepy crawlies, she gave him to me. It's a cute little thing, freshly hatched I think. Probably only a few days old at the most. Once I took him in, my family and I gave him a little impromptu enclosure with food and water and left him alone.

Now I've never had a tortoise and have no idea what I am doing, so I figured I'd look the little guy up and try to figure out what exactly he is. Since I live in Phoenix, Arizona I figured he was one of the local tortoise species that we have around here, like the Sonoran Desert Tortoise. But after researching them I'm less sure. I actually think he might be a Sulcata tortoise. But if that's true...then I have no idea how he got here. They are naturally from Africa, and no one in my neighborhood has tortoises. I know this is more of an arthropod/invertebrate form, but I know reptile enthusiasts and Invertebrate enthusiasts tend to run in similar circles. What do you all think? Is he a Sulcata or a Sonoran desert tortoise? I'd also appreciate if anyone could point me to some reliable reptile forums.

Pictures of the little guy attached

 

[NMTs]

Is a baby Sulcata tortoise - you can tell by the alternating rows of large and small scales on the front legs. Those scales are all uniform in size on the gopher tortoises, like the Sonoran desert tortoise. It was 100% somebody's pet that either escaped unintentionally, or they released it on purpose when they found out that it'll grow to be 75-150 pounds, 2-3 feet long, live around 80 years, and needs to be housed/heated/fed/watered daily. If you are up for that kind of a pet, or especially if you aren't, there are good rescue organizations out there that can help. They can educate you on proper care, or you can turn the little one over to them to adopt out (or try to reunite it with it's rightful owners). For example:

Arizona Sulcata

Home of the FULL YEAR health guarantee!

azsulcata.com

Arizona Tortoise Rescue

Please consider helping us to be able to expand our enclosures and care for these amazing tortoises in need!

arizonatortoiserescue.com

Surrender A Pet

www.phoenixherp.com

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Is a baby Sulcata tortoise - you can tell by the alternating rows of large and small scales on the front legs. Those scales are all uniform in size on the gopher tortoises, like the Sonoran desert tortoise. It was 100% somebody's pet that either escaped unintentionally, or they released it on purpose when they found out that it'll grow to be 75-150 pounds, 2-3 feet long, live around 80 years, and needs to be housed/heated/fed/watered daily. If you are up for that kind of a pet, or especially if you aren't, there are good rescue organizations out there that can help. They can educate you on proper care, or you can turn the little one over to them to adopt out (or try to reunite it with it's rightful owners). For example:

Arizona Sulcata

Home of the FULL YEAR health guarantee!

azsulcata.com

Arizona Tortoise Rescue

Please consider helping us to be able to expand our enclosures and care for these amazing tortoises in need!

arizonatortoiserescue.com

Surrender A Pet

www.phoenixherp.com

That is definitely a Sulcata, & this is DEFINITELY the most helpful post you're going to get, resource wise. They're awesome animals, but they're definitely not for everyone. I wish you both the best of luck, friend.

 

[viper69]

Sulcata- which has a fast growth rate, and is a LARGE tortoise!
For all the reasons mentioned above most of them are disposable by their original owners.

This is a lifetime commitment!

 

[TheUnfleshedOne]

Is a baby Sulcata tortoise - you can tell by the alternating rows of large and small scales on the front legs. Those scales are all uniform in size on the gopher tortoises, like the Sonoran desert tortoise. It was 100% somebody's pet that either escaped unintentionally, or they released it on purpose when they found out that it'll grow to be 75-150 pounds, 2-3 feet long, live around 80 years, and needs to be housed/heated/fed/watered daily. If you are up for that kind of a pet, or especially if you aren't, there are good rescue organizations out there that can help. They can educate you on proper care, or you can turn the little one over to them to adopt out (or try to reunite it with it's rightful owners). For example:

Arizona Sulcata

Home of the FULL YEAR health guarantee!

azsulcata.com

Arizona Tortoise Rescue

Please consider helping us to be able to expand our enclosures and care for these amazing tortoises in need!

arizonatortoiserescue.com

Surrender A Pet

www.phoenixherp.com

Ah, I thought his legs looked a little different from the local Tortoise. Thank you for the information!

Sad to think someone would buy a baby animal and then just leave it to die, especially such a cool critter as this. But it's not surprising either.

Regardless, we got a little setup for him and have posted something on face book to see if his original owner comes forward. We got some supplies to make his stay with us comfortable. If no one comes forward in a few days we'll make the decision if we want to turn him over to a local tortoise rescue or if we want to try and raise this beast ourselves. It's a daunting prospect, but also exciting in its own way. Again, thank you so much for the information and the resources. We'll give them a call soon and see if they have any other advice for the baby's temporary enclosure.

 

[TheUnfleshedOne]

That is definitely a Sulcata, & this is DEFINITELY the most helpful post you're going to get, resource wise. They're awesome animals, but they're definitely not for everyone. I wish you both the best of luck, friend.

For sure! I can see why they would be a daunting beast. Can dig massive burrows, live for as long as a person, and weigh more than my wife. Definitely not something to take lightly.

 

[TheUnfleshedOne]

Sulcata- which has a fast growth rate, and is a LARGE tortoise!
For all the reasons mentioned above most of them are disposable by their original owners.

This is a lifetime commitment!

Aye. It's always disheartening to hear when people abandon pets like this. I understand the hesitation. Hell, I don't even know if we are going to keep him for long. But I would hope they would at the very least try and find a home for them, rather than leave them to the elements.

 

[Tbone192]

These tortoises can easily break drywall and are known to be fairly destructive. Space and reinforced enclosure is necessary. This is an undertaking and a half, lifetime commitment is no joke. Absolutely can be done if you are diligent. Whatever your choice is, best of luck to you and the little guy. Thank you for being a responsible human being.

 

[NMTs]

These tortoises can easily break drywall and are known to be fairly destructive. Space and reinforced enclosure is necessary. This is an undertaking and a half, lifetime commitment is no joke. Absolutely can be done if you are diligent. Whatever your choice is, best of luck to you and the little guy. Thank you for being a responsible human being.

I've heard of people having issues with the foundation of their house sagging and cracking after these tortoises were allowed to burrow underneath the slab. Keeping them is no easy task, but just as with any other pet, if you're informed and prepared it can be rewarding and enjoyable.

 

[The Snark]

or you can turn the little one over to them to adopt out

Or just research it's native habitat and plan a road trip. We get stray animals several times a year including turtles. I've got a list of native habitats where they will be far removed from roads and stupid humans. Honestly, it's a responsibility of humans as caretakers - stewardship, here on this rock.
If there is no location available, then screen the responsible rescue operations.

 

[NMTs]

Or just research it's native habitat and plan a road trip. We get stray animals several times a year including turtles. I've got a list of native habitats where they will be far removed from roads and stupid humans. Honestly, it's a responsibility of humans as caretakers - stewardship, here on this rock.
If there is no location available, then screen the responsible rescue operations.

Not sure how practical a road trip from Arizona, USA, to Ethiopia or Nigeria is - but really, the Sahara desert can't be much different from the Sonora desert, right?! Your point is understood, though. I'm the guy that will pull over and stop traffic to let a bullsnake cross the road without getting squashed, so I get it. It sounds like the OP does, too!

 

[The Snark]

to Ethiopia

What kind of moron would import such an animal and sell it to the general public? No wonder they are cracking down so hard on animal trafficking.

 

[NMTs]

What kind of moron would import such an animal and sell it to the general public? No wonder they are cracking down so hard on animal trafficking.

You know the kind - the ones that like money... They've been available in the US pet trade since the early 80's, though, so people have had plenty of time to figure out if they make good pets or not. In reality, they make great pets if you have the space and willingness to care for them properly - they're friendly, their care isn't complicated, and they are long lived. Places like Arizona, southern California, and Nevada are perfect for keeping them because they can be kept outdoors year round and only need a small indoor space to get out of inclement weather (like a dog house or small shed). Thing is too many people fail to understand that a baseball sized hatchling will eventual be a big as a wheel barrow.

 

[viper69]

You know the kind - the ones that like money... They've been available in the US pet trade since the early 80's, though, so people have had plenty of time to figure out if they make good pets or not. In reality, they make great pets if you have the space and willingness to care for them properly - they're friendly, their care isn't complicated, and they are long lived. Places like Arizona, southern California, and Nevada are perfect for keeping them because they can be kept outdoors year round and only need a small indoor space to get out of inclement weather (like a dog house or small shed). Thing is too many people fail to understand that a baseball sized hatchling will eventual be a big as a wheel barrow.

I remember when they were rare and Uber pricey.

 

[SpookySpooder]

What kind of moron would import such an animal and sell it to the general public? No wonder they are cracking down so hard on animal trafficking.

The kind that doesn't care about ethical or ecological ramifications. Just looking for a quick buck.

These tortoises look nice when young, and that's the main selling point I think. I've nearly bought babies myself just because of that. When I learned what kind of commitment they were, I shooed myself away real fast.

They're by far the most abandoned animal group IMO. Yes, there are more feral cats, dogs, iguanas, and boas because they're so successful invasively, but red eared sliders and tortoises are animals everybody just feels comfortable throwing away.

It gets to the point where even the tortoise rescues won't take them all because they get inundated--and people won't pay the rehoming fee... that's why you keep finding random tortoises wandering.

Another reason people suck--this entire issue is literally caused by irresponsible people.

 

[Tbone192]

If only there was some kind of screening process to ensure that the animal was going to a proper home. This would ideally involve proof of an acceptable enclosure, an aptitude test, and a mandatory tortoise care educational course of sorts offering certification. This could only be done if the infrastructure was in place, as well collection/breeding and sales of the species would need to be heavily monitored and controlled among numerous other factors. Hopefully someday there will be a system in place to stop people from going "ooh pretty, Imma buy one right now without knowing a darn thing about this creature, after all it's about the clout right?". Maybe someday people will finally understand responsibility and environmental stewardship through education, I doubt it though. Too often I have heard stories or bore witness to gross negligence of animals, it is very disheartening. Consider the fact that some people own monkeys as pets, you just know that primate is not living its best life.