Last night, I noticed Popcorn, our 125lb sulcata, hadn’t eaten his breakfast. That is a major red flag. When I checked his 12-foot house, he was almost invisible, buried deep below the dirt level. I was terrified he was digging a tunnel or, worse, was upside down and suffocation.
The Rescue Mission I had to suit up in long sleeves, gloves, and a shower cap (tunnels are messy!) and crawl in with a snow shovel. Thankfully, he was alive, and I lured him out with a rare treat—a banana—so I could fill the depression.
Why Burrows are Dangerous:
The Solution: We keep our sulcatas in houses with solid floors. It prevents the urge to dig deep and keeps them where we can see them.
🐢 A Quick Note from our team:
While many of the stories, photos, and life-saving care tips found in our Resource Hub were born during our 35 years at our Malibu, California sanctuary, please note that as of late 2025, American Tortoise Rescue no longer operates a physical sanctuary location.
Don’t worry—the mission hasn’t skipped a beat! Our beloved resident “shellebrities” are enjoying their golden years at Turtle and Tortoise Rescue of Arroyo Grande up the coast, and our work has shifted entirely to global advocacy, education, and shellebration. While we no longer take in new surrenders at a physical site, we are more dedicated than ever to helping you “shellebrate” and protect turtles in your own backyard!
A global movement by American Tortoise Rescue® dedicated to protecting turtles and tortoises and their habitats around the world.
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