I’ll post something that isn’t an animal too. I think Zim is adorable.
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What’s it like owning a Tortoise? Do they only live outside?
Well, here's the thing about the Sulcatas.
When they are babies you can hold in your hand, they are terminally cute. Peeps will pay 50 to 100 dollars for them for their kids. They are great pets and can be kept on a tortoise table or aquarium for 5 years or so. SO ADORABLE!
But they grow. They are the 2nd largest tortoise in the world. By the time they get to 8 years or so, they're no longer "cute" or desirable. So peeps will think they are doing them a "favor" and set them free or just abandon them wherever. Go little, tortoise, Free Willy!
The fact is, they can't make it on their own in the wild here in the Desert Southwest. They die, or get run over on a street. Found this one in a parking lot near a major intersection. Destined to be tortoise road pizza.
Threw her in the trunk and brought her home. I have a huge backyard, surrounded by 7' block wall. She has her own domain. She dug a burrow next to the house that goes down 4' underground and over 16' into the middle of the backyard. I moved a lot of dirt while it was "under construction." These critters can dig deeper and faster than a damned backhoe.
She uses her burrow to self-regulate her temperature. When it's 117, she goes deep. When it's 70, she's out prancing around. Right now, the seasons are changing. She rampages a bit and tries to destroy everything in the yard. You cannot believe how strong and forceful they can be, with single-minded purpose. We used to let her in the house when she was younger. But now, she can destroy furniture. I have the patio fenced off now and she hates it. Just had to put in stronger fencing to keep her in the yard. Absolute brute strength and determination when she challenges something. But the new fencing held.
Okay, rambling... to sum it up, Sulcatas live 150 years on average. They get huge and are extremely gentle, yet powerful creatures. You make a commitment to own one for a lifetime, and your children's lifetime. Most idiots cannot do that with a pet. Witness the tortoise rescues here are overrun with them that have been abandoned and turned in. They won't even accept them anymore due to being over capacity... and no one adopts when they're the size of Amber Lynn.
Troot. I love my hard shell gorl though and she's a lucky one that will grow old like me and die happy.
On Edit: Today, challenging the new tortoise proof fencing (for now). Hey fuckers! Where's my treats?
Here, have a squash.
