But I want one soooo badly...

[Spaghetti]

So, I have a birthday coming up in May. And, as a present to myself, I'd like to get a Sulcata. I have excellent sources to buy good hays for the tort to eat as a staple, and I understand that they get huge. I met a full-grown sulcata recently, visiting a friend down south who has one, and I absolutely fell in love. She was 200lbs of pure personality! Granted, the animal could also knock down fences, but I'm sure I could reinforce the fences in my backyard with concrete or something.

Problem is, I live in Michigan. I was hoping to build a summer pen for the tort, and trick out my basement with uvb lamps and such to house the tort for the winter months. Anyone have experience doing this? Can a setup like this work?

Help me out guys, I want to be responsible about this :) If it's just hands-down a terrible idea, I'll drop it. But, if it's possible to do an indoor/outdoor setup correctly...I want to try.

[guidofatherof5]

I have a small one(for now) and it's like a pig with a shell.
Love mine. Best of luck getting one.

[jarich]

Honestly, I think its almost always a bad idea. I mentioned on another thread that I think this is, hands down, the biggest commitment of any reptile, and the most intense. These things not only get huge, but they have some very specific requirements and they live so long. Its not just whether you think you can take care of it, its also the fact that if you do, you will absolutely have to find someone else to continue on after you. It will outlive you being able to care for it, and quite possibly the next person as well.

Id recommend anyone who wants to get one waits for a year. Plan out in that year how much you would be spending to create its habitat both in and outdoors. Look at what you would have to do to make the animal healthy and happy, not just the bare minimum to get by. Look at what you would do if it gets sick or you get sick and cant care for it. Buy every book and do so much research that there isnt a single question someone could ask you that you dont have an answer for. If at that point you still think its a good idea and you can provide the proper care, then so be it.

In my opinion, these are one of the few reptiles I would outright ban for anyone short of a zoo. I think its shocking that anyone can buy one and that they have become a common animal that is available. So think hard. Youre about to purchase a highly intelligent, 200 pound animal that will live to be 100 and eats like a horse. And you want to put that in your basement every year.

[KORBIN5895]

How would you get it in the basement? I am a fairly large lad and I can move most things but I couldn't imagine trying to wrestling a 200+ pound living box into a basement.

[Spaghetti]

I was thinking of enlisting the help of my strong male friends for the bi-annual move to and from the basement. I figure that four people should be able to lift 200lbs fairly easily, and my staircase is wide.

What I really fell in love with was the tort's personality...perhaps there are smaller species out there that don't get quite so huge. Perhaps a leopard tort would be similar? I know they have similar requirements, but don't get quite as huge. But...I've heard they're shy. Any advice? I'm still madly in love with sulcatas, but again, I want to be responsible.That's why I came to you guys :)

[Spaghetti]

Or... I've heard of people using heated sheds and such. Maybe I could do something like that, instead of having to move him up and down stairs.

As for finding someone else to care for it after I've passed on, I already have similar arrangements for my other animals. I can will the tort to someone who will take care of it.

I understand that these animals are a huge commitment. I am doing my research, don't worry! Again, that's why I'm here. :)

[jarich]

Im not sure you would ever be able to keep a shed warm enough in winter in Michigan. This year was pretty tame, but most winters that shed would be half buried in snow and the floor would be pretty darn cold. The cost of keeping it warm would be pretty horrendous.

Im not saying its not possible, just that the amount of time, effort and money that is required to get these things housed properly and taken care of responsibly is extreme. Do you have other tortoises? I honestly dont have any myself, so Im not sure of their personalities. (Id love to get a sulcata as well, but I live in the city so its out of the question to have any tortoises.) I believe some of the members here have red foots, which apparently have a pretty fun personality. They get to be about 16" or so. Hermanns are generally regarded as the best starter tortoise as they are very hearty and have lots of personality. They are on the smaller size though, maxing out at about 12". Glad to see you are really thinking it through!

[Spaghetti]

I'll have to give some thought to getting a different species...perhaps a russian tortoise would be a good choice? I hear that they're pretty much fearless and I know someone who desperately needs to give hers up.

The only thing is, I live near a couple of great sources of hay flake, that's why it's so tempting to get a grazer-type tort, as I have access to a cheap supply of good hay and grasses. Ugh! I hate arguing with myself like this, lol.