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Posted over 10 months ago
| Updated over 7 months ago
I found a new home! Plenty of my friends are looking for one too. Check out other pets at this shelter, or start a new search.
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My basic info
Species
Tortoise
Age
Adult
Sex
Female
Pet ID
–
My details
Needs experienced adopter
My story
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Here's what the humans have to say about me:
Meet Lightning!!
Lightning is about 170 pounds, and we estimate her to be between 25 and 30 years old. She is an African spurred side (Sulcata) tortoise.
"The ideal enclosure for the African spurred tortoise is an outdoor pen where they will be able to construct a burrow. A fence of about 2 feet in height is recommended with some parts of the fence being extended underground. They prefer high temperatures and thrive in temperatures as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit when they have a burrow to go into to cool off. When in captivity they should also have access to heating systems to keep the temperature of an enclosure above 60 degrees Fahrenheit for when the temperature drops during the night. If the tortoise is being kept inside they need access to artificial means of sunlight.[17] The enclosure should also be kept somewhat humid. Humidity should be kept around 40-50 percent because higher humidity may cause respiratory issues. These tend to be fungal infections, but shell rot is also common.[17]
They require high-fiber diets (grasses and hays) as many "wet" vegetables can cause health problems in large quantities. Red leaf lettuce, prickly pear cactus pads, hibiscus leaves, hay from various grasses and dandelions are some of the better foods to make up the bulk of their diet. They will attempt to eat most types of plants eventually and some common garden plants can be very toxic to them, such as azaleas. They will eat such things as caterpillars and snails if given the opportunity, but this also should be a very small portion of their diet. Calcium should also be another small portion of their diet to help with shell growth. The tortoises should also avoid proteins and consume fruits very sparsely.[17] As the tortoises get older and their jaws stronger, it is recommended to allow them to eat hays such as Orchard and Timothy Hay.[19][20][13] Certain vegetables can lead to serious medical issues. Parsley, broccoli, kale and spinach should be excluded from their diets entirely, as they are too high in calcium oxalate.[13]
Sulcata tortoises are mostly herbivores.[6] Primarily, their diets consist of many types of grasses, plants (especially succulent plants), and hay.[12] Their overall diet should be high in fiber and very low in protein. Too much protein will lead to the tortoise growing too fast, which can result in metabolic bone disease, a condition that is characterized by distortion of the skeleton and weakened bone structure and can lead to lameness, lower quality of life, and/or shortened lifespan.[13] Flowers and other plants including cactus pads can be consumed. In the wild, they have been observed to also eat plants and algae off the surface of the water.[6] African spurred tortoises are also capable of eating various vegetables such as endive, dandelion greens, and dark leafy greens. Despite being herbivores, they will occasionally eat the carcasses of dead animals. They mostly eat dead goats and zebras that have been pushed downstream during the wet season on the rivers and streams next to which tortoises settle.[6] If a human settlement is nearby they will also feed on refuse.[6]"
Please contact us if you are interested in this beautiful girl.
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We'll also keep you updated on Ruby's adoption status with email updates.
