Need help for sulcata

[clive168]

I have about 50 sulcata size about 45-59cm ，recently some large sulcata sudden death phenmenon，died one or two days before eating， anatomical found intestinal there a lot of food not ranked out of body，can someone can give me some breeding advice？

We are location at China and north of the canton，summer about 30-38c we keep the sulcata at open area ，there is full of tree ， clay，grass and vegetable and have a couple pools for them。but in winter there only 0-15c we keep them in green house provide proper temperature about 23-28c with water heat by coal ,if there have sunshine , we will let the sulcata outside for the sunshine,
Food always high fiber and Napier grass ,black grass , vegetable , fruit , and
over 10 kinds of grass all suitable for animals with no posion.
Cuttlefish and Oxytetracycline provide sometime.

Otherwise and everyone can let me know the sulcata reproduction?is there anything need to provide for them and when will the mating period? How long will lay eggs after mating? What will I need to offer for them?

Thanks everyone , and hope someone kindly will give me some advise!

Clive

Attach photos are our breed environment

The last photo is a sulcata the days before died， should anyone can let me know what happened ，thanks

 

[Anyfoot]

How many are males?

 

[stojanovski92113]

WOW...that's a lot of tortoises!!! sorry to hear that you lost one. How long have you had these tortoises? I hope someone with more experience can help you on your situation.

 

[Odin's Gma]

I'm pretty new to Sulcatas, but not to animals in general, and I can tell you immediately that that is not nearly enough space for that many large tortoises. Honestly, it is just asking for trouble, not only in the way of fights, but if one of those animals has something contagious, they have all been exposed. Another thing to consider, depending on the ratio of males to females, the females can have an exceptionally hard time if they are outnumbered. Randy males are relentless and they can easily wear a lady out, causing her stress which can easily lead to illness.
I would also imagine that clay soil could be detrimental. They prefer looser soil so the can burrow, also, if they were to ingest any of of the clay soil, it would almost certainly cause blockages.

 

[Yvonne G]

From the drool coming out of his mouth, I would have to guess that he ingested something toxic. Also, mixing species can lead to death or sickness.

I agree with Odin's Gma, you don't have nearly enough space for all those animals. Overcrowding can lead to stress, and stress takes a toll on the tortoises' health, leaving them open to infection, etc.

In the indoor area, is there any way you can hang a light so they have a hot spot to sit under? And in the outdoor pens, do you have a little pool for them to be able to sit in the water?

I don't breed sulcata tortoises, so I can't offer you any advice on that, but we'll send a shout out to @Tom , he should know the answers to your questions.

 

[clive168]

I'm pretty new to Sulcatas, but not to animals in general, and I can tell you immediately that that is not nearly enough space for that many large tortoises. Honestly, it is just asking for trouble, not only in the way of fights, but if one of those animals has something contagious, they have all been exposed. Another thing to consider, depending on the ratio of males to females, the females can have an exceptionally hard time if they are outnumbered. Randy males are relentless and they can easily wear a lady out, causing her stress which can easily lead to illness.
I would also imagine that clay soil could be detrimental. They prefer looser soil so the can burrow, also, if they were to ingest any of of the clay soil, it would almost certainly cause blockages.

There is winter in my location, temperature about 0-15c , so we keep them in small space for sunshine, and there have about 25 males and 35 female,

 

[clive168]

 

[clive168]

If there in summer we Breed them in open area about 2000m2

 

[Anyfoot]

I'm no Sulcata expert but I'm almost certain you have way too may males. I was told that males can be very aggressive towards each and 2 males should NOT be kept together in close quarters. You have 35 males penned in. A lot of stress going on there. You need to speak to @Tom.

 

[Anyfoot]

Well you certainly have a lot of land. Hope someone come along soon to help you.

 

[clive168]

I have 6 sunspot light with UVB for each room and have some basin for water, it enough for one sulcata inside to sit in ,

Outdoor area have 6 pools each can enough over 10 torts to sit in

 

[clive168]

There are some photos of our farm , hope someone can give me some advice, thanks

 

[clive168]

How many are males?

About 20 males. 40 female

 

[sissyofone]

You have some beautful tortoises. However mixing species like that is very dangerous. Hopefully
@ Tom will be along soon to help out with lots of vital information for you. Good Luck.

 

[clive168]

You have some beautful tortoises. However mixing species like that is very dangerous. Hopefully
@ Tom will be along soon to help out with lots of vital information for you. Good Luck.

Just one room have some small star , radiant , and leopard mix , I will fix this problem thanks

 

[Odin's Gma]

So, your total property, open area in the summertime is 2000m2? Isn't that only about a half an acre?
I don't want to sound harsh, but you have about 55 too many tortoises for that space, I would say 59, but you do have partitioned areas where they can stay away from each other. They also need grazing area to feed freely, I know it's winter there, so that may be the reason for the lack of greenery, but they need a lot more grasses than I am seeing. Also, if they can't burrow because of the clay they need more shaded areas. The picture of them all clamoring for shade under the one tree is distressing.
How new are their watering holes? Could the concrete be leeching toxins into their water?

 

[clive168]

gma


2000 meters square , I think there big as 8 basketball playgrounds, and the watering hole will be full of water and cleaned after use and taken about six mounts before use, I think that will be ok to solve the problem of toxins , the photos a take after the farm build and there is full of greenery now.

 

[clive168]

And there and over 50 fruit trees. And 6 watering hole,

 

[clive168]

 

[Tom]

May I ask, what country are you in?