Kerrymetz
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2014
- Messages
- 5
Hi everyone! I'm new to this site, and am a new owner of a Sulcata Tortoise named Cletus. We picked him up 5 days ago and I'm a little concerned about his behavior. We did a lot of reading about tortoise care before deciding to get him, built a 4x2 tortoise table, had it all set up, and brought him home. Since arriving, he has not eaten a thing, and is sleeping all the time. We have been told the heat may be too low, (we started with a 50w bulb) so we bumped up to a 100w ceramic. Right now the temp in the hot basking area is about 90 to 95, and in the middle of his house (where the thermometer is) it's about 75. He's actually hiding out and sleeping at the opposite end of the house where there is no light or heat. It's a covered area we built where he can hide, (the cool area). When we bring him out he goes right back in there and sleeps. I'm concerned he won't get the uvb light he needs if he's always in that area. We've been feeding him the same thing the petstore was feeding, kale, carrots, grasses, dandilions. We tried grass pellots, and we were even told to try baby food. We haven't seen him eat anything. So, is this normal behavior after moving him from his comfortable environment to a new home? What IS the proper heating? I was told to have his basking area 95+, then read to never have it over 95. How do I keep proper humidity? I've been misting his plants, which I also wonder, is it o.k. to have plastic plants? I've read yes and no. It's very hard when you read conflicting information.
He is actually my 15 year old sons Birthday gift, and he's quite attatched to him already, (as am I). We want to make sure we're doing everything we need to. Thanks for your input!
He is actually my 15 year old sons Birthday gift, and he's quite attatched to him already, (as am I). We want to make sure we're doing everything we need to. Thanks for your input!