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| Rafael aka Raffy Sulcatta Tortoise |
| Our newest member of the Melanson family zoo is Rafael. He is our second Sulcatta tortoise and will grow very big. If you are thinking about getting a Sulcatta, please do some research. These torts get very big (2-3' across) and very heavy (100-150lbs). They also do not hibernate, so winter care is very important. As you can imagine, these torts are like tanks, they are very very strong and can push through fencing, patio furniture etc.... |
| This is where the torts live. The two pens in the back against the fence is where the torts spend their nights in good weather. They are brought in the house during bad weather and the winter. These guys eat alot! And they poo alot! Thankfully we live behind a levee, so until the grass dries up in the late summer, the torts get all the grass and weeds they want to eat. We also have 2 Mulberry trees and the torts love the leaves. They also get to eat the rose petals from approximately 40 rose bushs and prickly pear pads. Winter foods consists of whatever kinds of green's I can grow and lots of store bought vege's. Luckily, prickly pear cactus usually survive the winter and they are abundant in my neighborhood.. |
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| This is where Raffy stays when the weather is too cold. Rafael is very docile and at this time does not try to climb out of his tub. Most Sulcatta's will not stay in a tub so shallow. Raffy has a light and a "pig" blanket for warmth. At night the light goes off and Rafael goes right to sleep. |
| For more information concerning the Sulcatta Tortoise, please check the following links. http://www.sulcata-station.org http://www.tortoise.org/archives/sulcata1.html |
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| copyright 2006 Melinda Melanson |