MRooty59
New Member
Hello Everybody!
I got my hatchling sulcata, Geode, on September 22, 2018 and today is January 21, 2018. When I got him, he weighed 50.5g and today, four months later, he only weights 59.9g. I was under the impression that slow growth was good for these babies, but after doing so more investigating, I am aware that his growth rate is seriously below expectations.
I feed him a wide range of food that I vary often so that he never gets too much of one thing including, dandelion greens, spring mix, yard grass (planted in his enclosure), various approved weeds from my yard (some planted in his enclosure), various succulents (echevaria, optuntia cactus pads, aloe, christmas cactus, aeonium, elephant bush) bok choy, kale, oregano, cilantro, spider plant, amongst others, all of which I have researched to ensure they are safe for him. He appears to eat quite plentifully and he always has access to fresh foods in his enclosure. He poops about once every other day or so, and usually it happens during his bath.
I soak him twice a day for 15 min. each in warm water and place small piece of a soaked paper towel over his shell to promote shell hydration. He also has access to water in his enclosure at all times. I often see him pee liquid which gives me the impression that he is adequately hydrated as I have read that this indicates that he is not retaining fluid as compensation for dehydration.
He currently resides in a large, open-top aquarium (about 4 ft. long). I use a 100 watt UVA/UVB mercury vapor bulb for daytime basking and use a ceramic heating element at night. His tank ranges from 65-70F on the cool side to 85-95F on the warm side. About every 3-4 days, I soak his soil so that it never quite dries out completely but I am suspicious that the humidity may not be quite enough. I just ordered a humidifier designed for terrariums (see link)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CO9582Y/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
and a humidity gauge so that I can more closely contorl/monitor the humidity in his environment.
I am hoping some seasoned sulcata tortoise owners out there can help me pinpoint what I might be doing wrong that's preventing my sweet baby from growing at an appropriate rate! I look forward to hearing from you and plan on absorbing any advice you can offer! Thank you.
I got my hatchling sulcata, Geode, on September 22, 2018 and today is January 21, 2018. When I got him, he weighed 50.5g and today, four months later, he only weights 59.9g. I was under the impression that slow growth was good for these babies, but after doing so more investigating, I am aware that his growth rate is seriously below expectations.
I feed him a wide range of food that I vary often so that he never gets too much of one thing including, dandelion greens, spring mix, yard grass (planted in his enclosure), various approved weeds from my yard (some planted in his enclosure), various succulents (echevaria, optuntia cactus pads, aloe, christmas cactus, aeonium, elephant bush) bok choy, kale, oregano, cilantro, spider plant, amongst others, all of which I have researched to ensure they are safe for him. He appears to eat quite plentifully and he always has access to fresh foods in his enclosure. He poops about once every other day or so, and usually it happens during his bath.
I soak him twice a day for 15 min. each in warm water and place small piece of a soaked paper towel over his shell to promote shell hydration. He also has access to water in his enclosure at all times. I often see him pee liquid which gives me the impression that he is adequately hydrated as I have read that this indicates that he is not retaining fluid as compensation for dehydration.
He currently resides in a large, open-top aquarium (about 4 ft. long). I use a 100 watt UVA/UVB mercury vapor bulb for daytime basking and use a ceramic heating element at night. His tank ranges from 65-70F on the cool side to 85-95F on the warm side. About every 3-4 days, I soak his soil so that it never quite dries out completely but I am suspicious that the humidity may not be quite enough. I just ordered a humidifier designed for terrariums (see link)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CO9582Y/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20
and a humidity gauge so that I can more closely contorl/monitor the humidity in his environment.
I am hoping some seasoned sulcata tortoise owners out there can help me pinpoint what I might be doing wrong that's preventing my sweet baby from growing at an appropriate rate! I look forward to hearing from you and plan on absorbing any advice you can offer! Thank you.