Re: Sulcata Tortoise Health and Breeding

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by KATHY on August 02, 2000 at 23:22:20:

In Reply to: Sulcata Tortoise Health and Breeding posted by Alex Orleans on August 02, 2000 at 20:32:08:

: Hi there! Have 2 questions. 1) How large or old does a female Sulcata have to be before she can breed? 2) If a Sulcata has developed pyramiding of it's shell, is this process reversible or at least can it be arrested with a dietary change. From my understanding, this condition comes from too much protein in the diet. Are there long term negative consequences for the animal with this condition? Thanks!

Alex,
If you scroll way down the list you should be able to find *lots and lots* of posts about pyramiding. Andy Highfield, who has written many well respected articles and books on tortoise and turtle care, has offered some of his knowledge in these posts; plus, you can read everyone else's opinions too. I think everything (including alien abduction!) was covered during these posts. There are quite a few different pyramiding sessions, so keep going well past the first ones you see! Yes, it is believed that with the proper diet and environment you can reduce the pyramiding. You may never completely erase it, but (depending on the size of the tort now) you can smooth the shell out quite a bit over time.
Also, a great sulcata care book, The Care and Breeding of the African Spurred Tortoise by Richard and Robyn Wilson reads: Our experience with captive born and raised sulcatas is that at the age of 11 years, and a length of at least 16 inches, breeding and egg laying will usually commence.

: Alex

Tortoise Trust article on pyramiding

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: : Hi there! Have 2 questions. 1) How large or old does a female Sulcata have to be before she can breed? 2) If a Sulcata has developed pyramiding of it's shell, is this process reversible or at least can it be arrested with a dietary change. From my understanding, this condition comes from too much protein in the diet. Are there long term negative consequences for the animal with this condition? Thanks! : Alex, : If you scroll way down the list you should be able to find *lots and lots* of posts about pyramiding. Andy Highfield, who has written many well respected articles and books on tortoise and turtle care, has offered some of his knowledge in these posts; plus, you can read everyone else's opinions too. I think everything (including alien abduction!) was covered during these posts. There are quite a few different pyramiding sessions, so keep going well past the first ones you see! Yes, it is believed that with the proper diet and environment you can reduce the pyramiding. You may never completely erase it, but (depending on the size of the tort now) you can smooth the shell out quite a bit over time. : Also, a great sulcata care book, The Care and Breeding of the African Spurred Tortoise by Richard and Robyn Wilson reads: Our experience with captive born and raised sulcatas is that at the age of 11 years, and a length of at least 16 inches, breeding and egg laying will usually commence. : : Alex

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ] [ FAQ ]