Hi...
I've had two Sulcata tortoises given to me for Christmas...complete with vivarium and lights, heat etc. I've always wanted tortoises but hadn't done massive amounts of research as I didn't think I'd be getting them just yet.
Anyway cue many hours on the internet, within a week we'd built a tortoise table, realising the 2ft viv sold with them is totally wrong- As was pretty much ALL the info the guy in the shop had provided my partner. One of my babies has a slight bubbly nose (clear discharge) but is eating, very active etc but I'm not too worried as I've got them both booked in with a reputable specialist reptile vet later this week for a check over just incase - especially as I'm dubious of their background - the guy in the shop couldn't even tell me how old they are.
Anyway a few questions on little bits I'm yet to get my head around or have read conflicting info on.
The table has a hot end, with basking lamp on dimming thermostat set to 95F. The other end has a hide built into the table (I'll try post pics) which has a heat mat strip on the underside of the lid, again on thermostat set to 72F so that if the temp drops lower at any time the heat mat comes on. Obviously I have a UV lamp also. I make sure when they fall asleep they are in the hide for when the basking light goes out and temps drop (they're in my front room so there are no extremes). Does this sound okay? Do I really need to worry about them falling asleep on the open table at night or would they be okay anyway? Should I have a nighttime heater on top of the mat in the hide?
Also I'm confused re humidity as there is lots of conflicting info and I'm worried about pyramiding. I've ordered sphagnum moss with a view to setting up a humid hide for if they want it but I don't know where in the enclosure it should be. Also whether it will be too cold at night.
The substrate is a 60/40 mix of loam based organic soil and play sand...there is a slate for their nails and some beech chip (which I'm probably going to change out).
Anyway any advice greatly appreciated but please be nice I'm new to all this and want to do the best by my girls (obviously I don't know they are girls, it's just what I went with)... I love them and want to give them the best life possible. I know they grow massive and fast which I'm prepared for and am experienced with animals and fish but these are my first reptiles.
I look forward to hearing from you
I've had two Sulcata tortoises given to me for Christmas...complete with vivarium and lights, heat etc. I've always wanted tortoises but hadn't done massive amounts of research as I didn't think I'd be getting them just yet.
Anyway cue many hours on the internet, within a week we'd built a tortoise table, realising the 2ft viv sold with them is totally wrong- As was pretty much ALL the info the guy in the shop had provided my partner. One of my babies has a slight bubbly nose (clear discharge) but is eating, very active etc but I'm not too worried as I've got them both booked in with a reputable specialist reptile vet later this week for a check over just incase - especially as I'm dubious of their background - the guy in the shop couldn't even tell me how old they are.
Anyway a few questions on little bits I'm yet to get my head around or have read conflicting info on.
The table has a hot end, with basking lamp on dimming thermostat set to 95F. The other end has a hide built into the table (I'll try post pics) which has a heat mat strip on the underside of the lid, again on thermostat set to 72F so that if the temp drops lower at any time the heat mat comes on. Obviously I have a UV lamp also. I make sure when they fall asleep they are in the hide for when the basking light goes out and temps drop (they're in my front room so there are no extremes). Does this sound okay? Do I really need to worry about them falling asleep on the open table at night or would they be okay anyway? Should I have a nighttime heater on top of the mat in the hide?
Also I'm confused re humidity as there is lots of conflicting info and I'm worried about pyramiding. I've ordered sphagnum moss with a view to setting up a humid hide for if they want it but I don't know where in the enclosure it should be. Also whether it will be too cold at night.
The substrate is a 60/40 mix of loam based organic soil and play sand...there is a slate for their nails and some beech chip (which I'm probably going to change out).
Anyway any advice greatly appreciated but please be nice I'm new to all this and want to do the best by my girls (obviously I don't know they are girls, it's just what I went with)... I love them and want to give them the best life possible. I know they grow massive and fast which I'm prepared for and am experienced with animals and fish but these are my first reptiles.
I look forward to hearing from you