A Massive Tortoise Causes a Stir in a Small Town
A huge sulcata tortoise, named Rex due to his dinosaur-like appearance, recently caused a commotion in a quiet suburb. The sight of the tortoise slowly making its way down the street brought the otherwise calm neighborhood to life, sparking a wave of questions and excitement.
The Unexpected Visitor
Neighbors were taken aback by Rex's unexpected visit. Where had he come from? How far had he travelled? Was he in need of food or water? His appearance caused quite a stir and resulted in a collective effort to locate his owners. Rex's adventurous wanderings, however, also highlighted the unique challenges that come with owning a sulcata tortoise.
The Reality of Sulcata Ownership
Sulcata tortoises are undeniably adorable at birth, being the size of a golf ball. However, they quickly grow into the third-largest species of tortoise in the world. Despite the ban on their importation in the U.S. in the early 2000s, their breeding remains legal. These creatures can weigh up to 200 pounds and live for up to 150 years. Their size and strength often take new owners by surprise as they can easily take over a yard, destroying gardens and furniture.
The proper care for these animals requires more than just a cute, plastic pet carrier. They need large, grassy outdoor spaces to roam and graze, access to clean water, and a warm, dry shelter during the colder months. They are also known to be avid diggers. Sadly, many people are not aware of these needs when they purchase the tortoises, leading to numerous sulcatas being abandoned or given to sanctuaries.
The Gentle Giants Need a Home
One such sanctuary in Arizona is home to about 700 sulcatas, some of which were found wandering the streets, like Rex. Other tortoises were left behind in backyards by homeowners who were unprepared for the commitment that comes with owning such a large reptile. It's important to note that these tortoises are not intentionally destructive. They're simply so big and strong that they often end up causing damage without realizing it.
The Surprise Guest
The first to spot Rex was a 5-year-old girl who was having dinner with her family. The family was amazed to discover that the tortoise was real and quite large. They quickly got him some lettuce and began making posts about the found tortoise on social media. Rex was eventually moved into the family's backyard, where he was given a temporary name, Chicken Nugget, and made comfortable with hay, a shallow pool, and a steady supply of carrots.
The Return of Rex
After about five days, the original owner, Frank Boxberger, reached out. He had bought Rex from a pet store about 15 years ago when the tortoise was already an adult. Since then, Rex had lived in Boxberger's backyard, becoming a beloved part of the family. However, the tortoise's tendency to dig had been causing problems, resulting in a decision to temporarily rehome him. Rex likely escaped when someone viewing the house left a gate open.
A New Home for Rex
Upon finding Rex, Boxberger had already decided to find a new, permanent home for him. A local plumber, who had always wanted a sulcata but was against buying one due to concerns about excessive breeding, offered to take Rex. He planned to set up a suitable environment for Rex in his spacious backyard and was considering renaming him Bowser, after the turtle-like character from the Super Mario franchise. With a bit of effort, Rex was successfully moved to his new home, ready to start the next chapter of his life.
A huge sulcata tortoise, named Rex due to his dinosaur-like appearance, recently caused a commotion in a quiet suburb. The sight of the tortoise slowly making its way down the street brought the otherwise calm neighborhood to life, sparking a wave of questions and excitement.
The Unexpected Visitor
Neighbors were taken aback by Rex's unexpected visit. Where had he come from? How far had he travelled? Was he in need of food or water? His appearance caused quite a stir and resulted in a collective effort to locate his owners. Rex's adventurous wanderings, however, also highlighted the unique challenges that come with owning a sulcata tortoise.
The Reality of Sulcata Ownership
Sulcata tortoises are undeniably adorable at birth, being the size of a golf ball. However, they quickly grow into the third-largest species of tortoise in the world. Despite the ban on their importation in the U.S. in the early 2000s, their breeding remains legal. These creatures can weigh up to 200 pounds and live for up to 150 years. Their size and strength often take new owners by surprise as they can easily take over a yard, destroying gardens and furniture.
The proper care for these animals requires more than just a cute, plastic pet carrier. They need large, grassy outdoor spaces to roam and graze, access to clean water, and a warm, dry shelter during the colder months. They are also known to be avid diggers. Sadly, many people are not aware of these needs when they purchase the tortoises, leading to numerous sulcatas being abandoned or given to sanctuaries.
The Gentle Giants Need a Home
One such sanctuary in Arizona is home to about 700 sulcatas, some of which were found wandering the streets, like Rex. Other tortoises were left behind in backyards by homeowners who were unprepared for the commitment that comes with owning such a large reptile. It's important to note that these tortoises are not intentionally destructive. They're simply so big and strong that they often end up causing damage without realizing it.
The Surprise Guest
The first to spot Rex was a 5-year-old girl who was having dinner with her family. The family was amazed to discover that the tortoise was real and quite large. They quickly got him some lettuce and began making posts about the found tortoise on social media. Rex was eventually moved into the family's backyard, where he was given a temporary name, Chicken Nugget, and made comfortable with hay, a shallow pool, and a steady supply of carrots.
The Return of Rex
After about five days, the original owner, Frank Boxberger, reached out. He had bought Rex from a pet store about 15 years ago when the tortoise was already an adult. Since then, Rex had lived in Boxberger's backyard, becoming a beloved part of the family. However, the tortoise's tendency to dig had been causing problems, resulting in a decision to temporarily rehome him. Rex likely escaped when someone viewing the house left a gate open.
A New Home for Rex
Upon finding Rex, Boxberger had already decided to find a new, permanent home for him. A local plumber, who had always wanted a sulcata but was against buying one due to concerns about excessive breeding, offered to take Rex. He planned to set up a suitable environment for Rex in his spacious backyard and was considering renaming him Bowser, after the turtle-like character from the Super Mario franchise. With a bit of effort, Rex was successfully moved to his new home, ready to start the next chapter of his life.