Atlas - Our Largest Salcata Tortoise
Ireland - The Smaller Of The Big Sulcata Tortoises
Ireland - The Smaller Of The Big Sulcata Tortoises
Atlas joined us in December of 2024.
Ireland - The Smaller Of The Big Sulcata Tortoises
Ireland - The Smaller Of The Big Sulcata Tortoises
Ireland - The Smaller Of The Big Sulcata Tortoises
Ireland joined our sanctuary in the summer of 2024
Torti - Our Smallest Salcata Tortoise
Ireland - The Smaller Of The Big Sulcata Tortoises
Torti joined out sanctuary in 2022. Don’t let the photo fool you, he has definitely grown since his arrival!!!
Amazon - Red- Footed Tortoise
Amazon joined us before we even created Gulf Winds Wildlife Sanctuary. He joined us in 2021 as a rescue along with 2 small birds.
Columbia - COlumbian Red-Footed Tortoise
Columbia came to us years before we formed Gulf Winds Wildlife Sanctuary. She along with her sister have been with us since 2019.
Bolivia - Columbian Red-Footed Tortoise
Bolivia has been with us since before we formed Gulf Winds Wildlife Sanctuary. She along with her sister have been with us since December of 2019.
DID YOU KNOW.....
ENdangerment status of our tortoise
Our Columbian Red-Footed Tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonarius) are listed as vulnerable on the INUC red list conservation status. This is due to habitat destruction, hunting, and captivation for the pet trade.
EVery species of tortoise needs a different diet.
Tortoises come from many different areas around the world, so they each require a special diet that fits their individual needs. Take for example the red-footed tortoise and the Sulcata tortoise. The red-footed tortoise need fruit everyday, while the Sulcata tortoise would develop pyramiding from the high sugar in fruity.
TOrtoises need ponds to soak in.
Tortoises can hydrate 2 different ways. One way is like us, drinking water. The other was is by soaking the underside (soft part) of their body in a pond. Tortoises can also separate the liquid and solid waste products in their system. This way if they feel they are in a drought that can retain the liquids in their bodies.
An incorrect diet or habitat will harm your reptile.
Metabolic bone disease, also known as nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism, is one of the most common diseases of pet reptiles. It’s a disease that affects the skeletal system, causing weak, rubbery, and easily broken bones. Metabolic bone disease (MBD) occurs if a pet reptile has abnormal calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D3 levels, either caused by a poor diet or poor care. Veterinarians diagnose MBD most often in lizards, turtles, and tortoises, but can also be found in amphibians and snakes. One sign of MBD in tortoises in pyramiding of the shell like in the photo shown.