Kisco

KISCO – Sulcata Tortoise

Kisco is one of the few on our property that is not a rescue animal. 

Ever since I was a child I have been obsessed with turtles. They have always fascinated me. They have shown up many times in my life to give me signs of encouragement, or confirmation. When we first moved to Aiken, and as we pulled into the spot where our new house would stand, we noticed a ray of sunshine in the distance that was piercing down on a big brown spot. As we got closer, basking in the sun was a large turtle that had made its way from our pond. The perfect welcome sign!

Just a few months after moving into our home that was finally built, I saw an ad on Facebook of a local gentleman who raised Sulcata Tortoises. The day I went to get Kisco I was expecting a tortoise at the least the size of a football. I knew that they grew to be a few hundred pounds and live to 120. But instead, a tiny circle the size of a quarter was placed in my hand. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to care for this fragile little creature, but it wasn’t long before he was bigger, and then one day too big to even lift. He is smart, knows my voice, and will bite my big toe if I forget that I am not only standing barefoot next to him, but have red nail polish on, and to Kisco, this is a big juicy strawberry. 

Sulcata Tortoises Fun Facts:

• They are the third largest tortoise in the world and the largest tortoise on the African mainland.
• They are very strong animals and can move just about anything that is not nailed down.
• They do not hibernate like other species of tortoises.
• They can live up to 120 years.
• They eat grasses and leaves, vegetables, and some fruits.
• They don’t swim like turtles.
• They are friendly and smart and learn your voice.
• These tortoises can reach a size of 36 inches in carapace (shell) length and weight of 200 pounds.