Re: oh yeah huh

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Posted by Terry on November 16, 2000 at 12:51:54:

In Reply to: oh yeah huh posted by andy on November 15, 2000 at 23:14:42:

Andy,
Mediterranean tortoises do hibernate and in their natural range they can do so safely of course.

However you can't take a Mediterranean tortoise put it in your yard in England, Germany, Sweden or other European countries that have extremely cold winters and expect it to survive hibernation. It's simply too cold.

Sulcatas don't hibernate, and the climate in many European countries is too cold and wet for them to enjoy more than a few months ( if that)outdoors.Sulcatas can't tolerate cold/damp conditions.

Already in the States people are realising that it's impossible to keep sulcatas without extensive indoor accomadations during the colder months.
Many people simply can't afford or don't have the room to keep a 150lb adult sulcata indoors for the winter.

So if sulcatas are imported into Europe in large numbers it's obvious that many of them will soon outgrow their welcome.
Sulcatas are very cute as hatchlings. But as fully grown or even sub adults they are very difficult to manage indoors.
And in most of Europe they would not survive outdoors.
So what's the point of importing hundreds of sulcatas into Europe?
Sulcatas are available already in Europe they are prolific tortoises and there are European breeders. Sulcatas are already available in European pet stores.
I can think of at least 2 recent cases where people in England bought sulcata hatchlings in their local pet store.Then had to rehome them almost imediately as they realised that there was no way they could keep a tortoise that will be over 100lbs as an adult.

My point is why add to this problem, sulcatas are already available if people want them. There is no need to import hundreds of sulcatas , many of which will end up looking for new homes in a few years.And as people realise how much room they need and how expensive it would be to house them indoors, rehoming them will be almost impossible.
In my opinion it's irresponsible.

Maybe you can explain why importing large numbers of sulcatas into Europe is a good idea?
Terry.

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it's not a good idea andy 11/17/00 (0)

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: Andy, : Mediterranean tortoises do hibernate and in their natural range they can do so safely of course. : However you can't take a Mediterranean tortoise put it in your yard in England, Germany, Sweden or other European countries that have extremely cold winters and expect it to survive hibernation. It's simply too cold. : : Sulcatas don't hibernate, and the climate in many European countries is too cold and wet for them to enjoy more than a few months ( if that)outdoors.Sulcatas can't tolerate cold/damp conditions. : Already in the States people are realising that it's impossible to keep sulcatas without extensive indoor accomadations during the colder months. : Many people simply can't afford or don't have the room to keep a 150lb adult sulcata indoors for the winter. : So if sulcatas are imported into Europe in large numbers it's obvious that many of them will soon outgrow their welcome. : Sulcatas are very cute as hatchlings. But as fully grown or even sub adults they are very difficult to manage indoors. : And in most of Europe they would not survive outdoors. : So what's the point of importing hundreds of sulcatas into Europe? : Sulcatas are available already in Europe they are prolific tortoises and there are European breeders. Sulcatas are already available in European pet stores. : I can think of at least 2 recent cases where people in England bought sulcata hatchlings in their local pet store.Then had to rehome them almost imediately as they realised that there was no way they could keep a tortoise that will be over 100lbs as an adult. : My point is why add to this problem, sulcatas are already available if people want them. There is no need to import hundreds of sulcatas , many of which will end up looking for new homes in a few years.And as people realise how much room they need and how expensive it would be to house them indoors, rehoming them will be almost impossible. : In my opinion it's irresponsible. : Maybe you can explain why importing large numbers of sulcatas into Europe is a good idea? : Terry.

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