Common: Bearded Dragon
Native to: Australia
Diet: Insects, vegetation
Sex: Male
Age: 9
Personality: He is a calm lizard & will close his eyes in relaxation when someone gently rubs his head. He looks so prehistoric. He is a really neat lizard.
Background: Drako came to us through a friend of ours who specialized in reptiles.

Common: Bearded Dragon
Native to: Australia
Diet: Insects, vegetation
Sex: Male
Age: 3
Personality: Godzilla has a sweet disposition and enjoys being petted. He gets very excited when breakfast is served.
Background: He came to us in June 2008 from a young woman leaving home for college. Because of this, she could no longer care for Godzilla.
Foster Parents: Jackson Allen

Common: Green Iguana
Native to: South America
Diet: Vegetation, fruits
Sex: Female
Age: 8
Personality: Flash likes to have her head rubbed, she will close her eyes and hold still. Neither she nor Godzuki are crazy about being held or carried.
Background: Flash and Godzuki came to us from a breeder because they were not producing fertile eggs.
Comment: Flash & Godzuki live in their new enslosure- thanks to Hank Winter... they have lots more room!

Common: Green Iguana
Native to: South America
Diet: Vegetation, fruits
Sex: Male
Age: 8
Background: Flash and Godzuki came to us from a breeder because they were not producing fertile eggs.
Comment: Godzuki & Flash have a much larger enclosure now thanks to Hank Winter !!

Common: Ball Python
Native to: Africa
Diet: Small mammals
Sex: Male
Age: 10
Personality: Monte is one of the calmest snakes you may ever meet. He is slow moving, which helps a lot of people be calmer around him. He has been a great ambassador for lots of people who had that deep seated fear of snakes. They have been able to touch him and find that he is actually warm and soft, not cold, wet and slimy. Not that it is the same as snakes in the wild but he has helped a lot of people get over their nightmares. Thank you Monte
Background: Monte was rescued by the Winston-Salem group and came to us from them.
Foster Parents: Jared Allen, Barbara Bush

Common: Burmese Python
Native to: Southeast Asia
Diet: rodents
Sex: Male
Age: 2
Personality: Jazzie is still too new to SC CARES for us to judge his personality plus the baggage he comes with is going to be something for him to overcome. Jazzie is 6 ft. long now but still a baby- potentially 15-20 ft. with a lifespan of 30 years.
Background: I know there are those who would find it hard to have sympathy for a snake but if ever one did Jazzie is certainly deserving of it. He is only 1&1/2 years old & SC CARES is his 4th home. Jazzie has been abused & mishandled so because of this has a bit of a temper, but honestly who could blame him. Humans have not been nice to him, he has scars from burns or abuse. These creatures can be abused just like any other animal. Our deepest thanks to our vet tech,Keith for keeping him the past three mos. & calming him down somewhat. We hope Jazzie will have a better life now thus improving his temperament.
Comment: For those concerned Jazzie resides in a locked enclosure.

Common: Russian Tortoise
Native to: Russia
Diet: grasses and greens
Sex: Female
Age: 17
Personality: Babe is very independant. When shes being carried from her in aquarium to her outside playpen- she must be held with two hands (although she would fit in one) shes just that active. In her outside area, shes already dug a burrow which she likes to lay in- normally head first, so when I happened to see her face out I had to get this picture.
Background: Babe came to us from a classroom in Charleston. The teacher had Babe from a hatchling and for 16 years each of her classes learned about Russian Tortoises. This teacher felt that Babe would be happier here with an outside area because she was unable to provide that for her in the classroom setting. She does seem to enjoy her digging.
Comment: Babe is full grown and has a lifespan of 100 years !!

Common: Sulcata Tortoise
Native to: Africa
Diet: vegetation & grasses
Sex: Male
Age: 6
Personality: Abbott & his roommate Costello are adjusting to all of their new friends. They seem to fit in pretty well with the larger group of our tortoise family. Abbott is one of the late sleepers, so is not usually out of the bedroom til mid-morning but he seems to like being here.
Background: Abbott & Costello came to SC CARES in May of 2010- from a family in Ohio. They were concerned that it wasnt good for the tortoises to have to live in the basement more of the year than outside- because the weather in Ohio was colder for longer than it was hot. They felt theyd be happier here in a warmer climate.

Common: Sulcata Tortoise
Native to: Africa
Diet: vegetation & grasses
Sex: Male
Age: 0
Personality: Costello is definitely the more outgoing of the two. Hes an early riser & out grazing & walking around as soon as you open their door. He seem to have adjusted to life with his new roommates. He is a bit smaller of the two even though he & Abbott were purchased at the time & supposedly the same age. I guess like humans- we all come in different sizes!!
Background: Costello & Abbott came to SC CARES in May 2010- from a family in Ohio. Because of the climate in Ohio- they felt these guys would be better off here where they could stay outside more of the year.

Common: Sulcata Tortoise
Native to: Africa
Diet: vegetation & grasses
Sex: Male
Age: 2
Personality: Flip is such a cute little tortoise. He is so much smaller than the rest of the tortoise family so he hangs out with Babe (Russian tortoise). Theyre both carried out each day to their playpen so they can enjoy the sun & then taken back into the hut in the evening so that they remain safe.
Background: Flip came to SC CARES in March of 2010 from a family in Columbia, SC. As most of the tortoises here, they were purchases from pet stores who neglect to inform buyers of the size & longevity- leaving families looking for other alternatives based on housing for their wonderful reptiles.

Common: Sulcata tortoise
Native to: Africa
Diet: grasses and greens
Sex: Female
Age: 10
Personality: Fredrica has really come out of her shell (not literally) When she arrived at SC CARES she was very withdrawn but now she will run (in her fashion) to greet visitors on tours. Her health is not great but hopefully with the proper diet she will improve.
Background: Fredrica was found in Pa. by a family that noticed a suspicious man telling them he was releasing a snapping turtle near their property. Needless to say if Fredrica is what he was releasing- its not a snapper. This family contacted SC CARES (finding us through media coverage on Victoriouss disappearance) and two of the family member left late one evening to drive this tortoise from Pennsylvania to South Carolina. They were wonderful people to to care so much !!
Comment: Calling her female is a guess- the tortoises are difficult to sex- so at this point it is undetermined- as is her age. The pyramiding in the shell is extremely bad for this poor tortoise- she apparently has not had a very good diet- her shell is the wost weve seen here.We hope with a good diet her shell will improve before she reaches full maturity.

Common: Sulcata Tortoise
Native to: Africa
Diet: Vegetation
Sex: Male
Age: 11
Personality: Sahara is quite a rowdy boy. Because there is little visible difference between young male and female Sulcata, sexing is very difficult. Let’s just say there is no doubt when it comes to Sahara’s gender. He has made several “friends” since he has been here.
Background: Sahara came to us June 5, 2009 from a Virginia family who raised him from a hatchling. Seeing his need for more space and the company of other tortoises they thought he would be happier here.
Foster Parents: Ray & Bette Satterwhite

Common: Sulcata Tortoise
Native to: Africa
Diet: Grasses & greens
Sex: Male
Age: 6
Personality: Sebastian is the smallest of our tortoise family. He is also the only caramel colored tort. Being the smallest has not stopped him from showing us his personality- he always out roaming & very friendly.
Background: Sebastian came to us from a family in NC who are in the service and live on a base. Sebastian had outgrown his current living quarters and the family felt he would be happier here with more room & other torts to engage with.

Common: Sulcata Tortoise
Native to: Africa
Diet: Vegetation
Sex: Female
Age: 7
Personality: Tortellini is a shy girl.
Background: Tortellini was found in Columbia, South Carolina by an individual. Thinking this may be Victoria, they called us. Shortly after she arrived at SC-CARES, Tortellini’s owner called. She had escaped from her enclosure. Arrangements were made to return her to Columbia. A few days later he called back explaining that because he traveled often, leaving Tortellini and her brother Torty in the care of others, perhaps they would be happier with us. Both have been at SC-CARES since April 2009.
Comment: Gender is uncertain. Because there is little difference between young male and female Sulcata, sexing is very difficult.

Common: Sulcata Tortoise
Native to: Africa
Diet: Grasses & greens
Sex: Male
Age: 5
Personality: Tortellini II is a very active creature- he is usually the first one out of the house during the day to get his sunlight. Tortellini lives in the communal compound currently with 5 other torts.
Background: Tortellini came to us from a gentleman in Charleston, whose life situation had changed. He no longer had an adequate outdoor area for Tortellini to roam & felt the tortoise would be better here.
Comment: His nickname is Toto...

Common: Sulcata Tortoise
Native to: Africa
Diet: Vegetation
Sex: Male
Age: 7
Personality: Torty is pretty outgoing. He will not be the first sulcata to greet you but give him time and he will come say hello.
Background: Torty came to us in April 2009 shortly after his sister, Tortellini, was brought to us.
Comment: Gender is uncertain. Because there is little difference between young male and female Sulcata, sexing is very difficult.

Common: Sulcata Tortoise
Native to: Africa
Diet: Vegetation
Sex: Male
Age: 6
Personality: Victor has a wonderful personality. If someone sits in his compound, he will come right to you- waiting to be loved on. He really likes people.
Background: As you are probably aware, Victoria, our much loved seven year old tortoise was stolen from the sanctuary in February. When news of this despicable act spread, the Charleston animal shelter called. A male tortoise rescued by them after being found wondering in a North Charleston neighborhood had not been claimed and they asked if we would take him. We are more than happy to give him a good home. Estimates of his age range from two to four years. Like Victorious, Victor should be 36 in diameter and reach 125-150 lbs. and live for 125 years.
Comment: Gender is uncertain. Because there is little difference between young male and female Sulcata, sexing is very difficult.

Common: Sulcata Tortoise
Native to: Africa
Diet: Vegetation
Sex: Male
Age: 10
Personality: May-2009: Since Victorias recent disappearance & reappearing- we have discovered that she is actually a "he". Determining gender in these reptiles is not easy, but once Victoria returned & interacted with the new tortoise residents- we knew exactly what his gender was. We are just thrilled hes back regardless what gender.
Background: Victoria came to us from a pet store as a hatchling. In North Carolina it is illegal to sell tortoises and turtles, so when this black market breeder could not find a buyer, he ask us to take him.
Comment: Victorious will be 36" in diameter; weigh 150 lbs and hopefully live for 120 years. Because he outgrew his home in the hut, he was moved to his new outside compound the summer of 2008. He is really enjoying his new home. Hopefully the natural sunlight will help with the pyramiding he has.