- Joined
- Mar 9, 2009
- Messages
- 91
Hi Everyone,
I had a question about my baby Sulcata named Nova. For now he is in a 30 Gallon Aquarium I know that is small but its temporary until April when I build him a large enclosure. The temps range from 75 - 110 in the aquarium as I have a basking spot and heat pad.
I spray one part of the substrate once or twice a day to keep a humid spot in case its too dry, and I have a shallow dish with water. I don't think theres an issue with too humid because the air humidity never gets above 30%. I don't spray too much as hes in the aquarium so I don't want to make the air too humid. I have been feeding him damp alfalfa pellets, carrots, timothy hay, occasionaly romain lettuce for a treat, a damp grassland tortoise food (ecotherm grassland tortoise yummies which consists of 3 foods, grass mix (low protien high fibre with vitamins, calcium and moisture), Prickly pear cactus puree, and Cactus fruit mixed with hibiscus). HE has been eating every day and poops once or twice a day. Every day I soak him in warm water for about 10-15 mins and I always see him drink. He has a UV Compact Fluorescent bulb on 13-14 hours a day. His substrate is the Plantation soil stuff that comes in a brick and turns into a lot when you soak it. On top of the substrate I have some timothy hay as he likes to play around with it and make a mess. So far I think i'm doing ok but would like to know if anyone has any advice or if im doing something really wrong.
So now that you have the info here is the questions
1) I see he has some peeling skin under his mouth and a bit on his neck. I tried searching to see if this was normal, but I have owned other Reptiles and they always did so I didnt think it was anything to be alarmed about. Its small flaky bits of skin. Is this Ok?
2) I read all over that I have to give him lots of calcium. I have Rep-Cal calcium with Vit-D (phosphorus free). I sprinkle a tiny pinch on his food every day. Is this enough? Is it possible to give too much calcium? I can't seem to find anywhere that says how much I should use.
3) I had some forest moss in his habitat, the stuff that also comes in a brick that you soak, but I noticed him eating it once in a while. Is this ok for him or should I be getting all this stuff out of there?
4) sometimes when I pick him up he pees. I was under the impression reptiles dont really pee, ive seen urates come out before but this is clear liquid. Anything to be concerned about?
Thanks for your time and consideration. I just want to make sure he is healthy and give him the best life possible.
I had a question about my baby Sulcata named Nova. For now he is in a 30 Gallon Aquarium I know that is small but its temporary until April when I build him a large enclosure. The temps range from 75 - 110 in the aquarium as I have a basking spot and heat pad.
I spray one part of the substrate once or twice a day to keep a humid spot in case its too dry, and I have a shallow dish with water. I don't think theres an issue with too humid because the air humidity never gets above 30%. I don't spray too much as hes in the aquarium so I don't want to make the air too humid. I have been feeding him damp alfalfa pellets, carrots, timothy hay, occasionaly romain lettuce for a treat, a damp grassland tortoise food (ecotherm grassland tortoise yummies which consists of 3 foods, grass mix (low protien high fibre with vitamins, calcium and moisture), Prickly pear cactus puree, and Cactus fruit mixed with hibiscus). HE has been eating every day and poops once or twice a day. Every day I soak him in warm water for about 10-15 mins and I always see him drink. He has a UV Compact Fluorescent bulb on 13-14 hours a day. His substrate is the Plantation soil stuff that comes in a brick and turns into a lot when you soak it. On top of the substrate I have some timothy hay as he likes to play around with it and make a mess. So far I think i'm doing ok but would like to know if anyone has any advice or if im doing something really wrong.
So now that you have the info here is the questions
1) I see he has some peeling skin under his mouth and a bit on his neck. I tried searching to see if this was normal, but I have owned other Reptiles and they always did so I didnt think it was anything to be alarmed about. Its small flaky bits of skin. Is this Ok?
2) I read all over that I have to give him lots of calcium. I have Rep-Cal calcium with Vit-D (phosphorus free). I sprinkle a tiny pinch on his food every day. Is this enough? Is it possible to give too much calcium? I can't seem to find anywhere that says how much I should use.
3) I had some forest moss in his habitat, the stuff that also comes in a brick that you soak, but I noticed him eating it once in a while. Is this ok for him or should I be getting all this stuff out of there?
4) sometimes when I pick him up he pees. I was under the impression reptiles dont really pee, ive seen urates come out before but this is clear liquid. Anything to be concerned about?
Thanks for your time and consideration. I just want to make sure he is healthy and give him the best life possible.