Nicholaus Mazzochi

Tortoise Keeping 101

Tortoises are one of the oldest organisms on the earth today. They have survived meteors, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, ice ages, etc. This makes them great pets because their resilience makes them very hard to kill. However, they do need proper care and attention. Tortoises are found all over the planet. The Sulcata (pictured above in my hand) is found in the grasslands of Africa. They are smaller than a golf ball at birth but within five years of proper care, they can reach the size of a pumpkin, with sexually-matured adults reaching the size of a beach ball. The Sulcatas are popular in warmer states such as Arizona, California, Texas, and Nevada. They roam around backyards and eat weeds and grass and can with stand temperatures of 120 degrees Fahrenheit in summer and 50 degrees in winter. But unfortunately, since these tortoises thrive here in the southwest, people tend to accidentally and purposely breed them all the time. If you are thinking about adopting or buying a Sulcata, here are some quick tips to make sure they stay healthy.