Putting a dog tag on sulcata tortoises may sound silly at first, but it’s like putting a tag on your dog. If your dog gets out of the yard, someone can get your information off the tag. The difference with tortoises and dogs, is that tortoises can’t wear a collar, so the tag must be attached to the shell.
Why Put a Dog Tag on Sulcata?
Sulcata tortoises can easily escape. People have found their tortoise as close as the neighbor’s yard or as far away as another town. Others never find their tortoise and hope the tortoise found a loving home.
Larger tortoises that spend most of their days outside are at a higher risk of finding an escape route or making one. To put your mind at ease, you can attach a dog tag to your sulcata tortoise.
Sulcata tortoises are also often stolen. In this case, a dog tag may not help you, as the thief may remove the tag. This is where a microchip is beneficial.
Attaching anything onto the shell of a tortoise is controversial. Because the shell absorbs UV rays and is a part of the tortoise’s skeletal system, you don’t want to hurt it. If you’re going to attach a dog tag on sulcata tortosies, use small dog tags.
Some keepers use the Tile Bluetooth Tracker to locate their tortoise. Keep in mind these have a small radius, but if you’re walking around a large yard, you should be able to locate your tortoise. If you’re hoping to find your sulcata across town while in your yard, the Tile Tracker won’t reach.
How to Apply a Dog Tag to a Sulcata Tortoise?
The key to attaching a dog tag on a sulcata is to avoid applying it to a growth line. As the tortoise grows, the dog tag can fuse the lines together, preventing it from expanding like it needs to. If the shell cannot grow naturally, the tortoise may suffer growth and shape issues.
When attaching a tag to a tortoise, use a quick-drying clear epoxy.
- Clean the area with soap and water.
- Then lightly rub the area with rubbing alcohol.
- Dry the area.
- Carefully apply just enough epoxy to hold the tag in place.
- Keep the tortoise still until the epoxy has set.
You may have to reapply the tag once a month or so to ensure that the epoxy is securely holding the tag in place.
Microchip a Sulcata
In addition to a visible tag, ask you vet to micro chip your sulcata tortoise. The microchip is placed in the left hind leg, in the relatively soft tissues.
Generally, the microchip will cost about $10.
