Re: judgemental opinions.

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Posted by Terry on January 11, 2001 at 19:52:30:

In Reply to: Re: judgemental opinions. posted by Patty on January 11, 2001 at 18:23:40:

There's a big difference between seeking info before you purchase the tortoise and after you purchase it.
Many people who buy sulcatas have no idea that their two inch hatchling will reach an adult size of 150 lbs or more.

Just as not many people can properly house a 150 lb tortoise in their house if they live in a cold climate. Many keep the sulcata a few years then look for a new home for it, sell it back into the pet trade or dump it.
Remember this is a huge, active, messy tortoise. It can't be kept in a box or small enclosure. Even a whole room all to it self isn't sufficient.
Most households have neither the room or the time to house a sulcata in their house.
Some even try to hibernate it!!!!!

There are a few dedicated people who can and do manage to overwinter adult sulcatas indoors, but they are the minority.

You only have to read the posts on this forum to realise that most of them are regarding sulcatas.
" How big will my sulcata get"
" What can I feed it" etc, etc.

The same questions from different new keepers, day after day.

Of course it's great that they take the time to come and ask questions.
But these are only a few people, once again the minority, who even care enough to get the right info.
Many others take the tortoise home, follow the advise the pet stores give them and end up with a sick, dead or deformed tortoise.

Or a tortoise that keeps growing and growing, that they eventualy have to give up.

I believe that IF these people had any clue that their sulcata would reach such a huge adult size, most wouldn't even consider buying it.

Sure there are the dedicated few who do and take very good care of them. But once again most have no idea what they've let themselves in for.

There is a very big difference between housing a box turtle indoors and an adult sulcata!!

Follow Ups:

one thing I think you are wrong about :) ... Theresa 01/11/01 (4)
- Re: one thing I think you are wrong about :) ... Terry 01/12/01 (0)
- Re: one thing I think you are wrong about :) ... meaghan 01/11/01 (1)
  - Re: one thing I think you are wrong about :) ... EJ 01/11/01 (0)
- Re: one thing I think you are wrong about :) ... Marissa 01/11/01 (0)

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: There's a big difference between seeking info before you purchase the tortoise and after you purchase it. : Many people who buy sulcatas have no idea that their two inch hatchling will reach an adult size of 150 lbs or more. : Just as not many people can properly house a 150 lb tortoise in their house if they live in a cold climate. Many keep the sulcata a few years then look for a new home for it, sell it back into the pet trade or dump it. : Remember this is a huge, active, messy tortoise. It can't be kept in a box or small enclosure. Even a whole room all to it self isn't sufficient. : Most households have neither the room or the time to house a sulcata in their house. : Some even try to hibernate it!!!!! : There are a few dedicated people who can and do manage to overwinter adult sulcatas indoors, but they are the minority. : You only have to read the posts on this forum to realise that most of them are regarding sulcatas. : " How big will my sulcata get" : " What can I feed it" etc, etc. : The same questions from different new keepers, day after day. : Of course it's great that they take the time to come and ask questions. : But these are only a few people, once again the minority, who even care enough to get the right info. : Many others take the tortoise home, follow the advise the pet stores give them and end up with a sick, dead or deformed tortoise. : Or a tortoise that keeps growing and growing, that they eventualy have to give up. : I believe that IF these people had any clue that their sulcata would reach such a huge adult size, most wouldn't even consider buying it. : Sure there are the dedicated few who do and take very good care of them. But once again most have no idea what they've let themselves in for. : There is a very big difference between housing a box turtle indoors and an adult sulcata!!

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