Okay, first I do apologize for the vagueness of this post. Second, I'm sorry if this has already been covered, but I feel like I need a case-specific answer.
I just purchased a baby sulcata, and it won over my heart in the hour or so I spent discussing its needs with a man at the pet store. I just need to know a few things about keeping them and their normal behavior.
Bruce is four months old (so said the pet store), and is about three and a half inches long. I'm honestly not too sure about his weight. The behaviors I have questions about are these:
He's very vocal, or so it appears. He chirps when something startles him and on various other occasions. He also seems to grunt, like a forced, quick exhale, when he exerts himself while climbing or digging. I was wondering if this vocalization is normal, and if I can look forward to future conversations with him?
Also on my list of questions and concerns is his innate ability to sleep. After an hour of activity, he's out like a light once he's found somewhere dark and warm. Should young tortoises sleep so much?
He also occasionally blows bubbles with his nose. This is one of my more serious concerns, as I have heard that sulcatas are prone to respiratory infections in which this is a symptom. It doesn't happen often, but when he's in the bath, or just waking up he tends to blow a few. Is this safe?
And as a new parent, I have to know how much it's safe to handle the little guy. He's adorable and very personable. Not scared of much. He's actually sleeping under my shirt right now. I was wondering what the upper and lower limits of handling are for sulcatas.
Finally, he gets into these little modes when around one of the lights I was told to get for him where he rubs his face on his forelimbs like his nose itches. Is it the light or something else causing this?
Thanks in advance, and my last apologies are for the length of the post and for my ignorance in regards to sulcatas. I should have done more research before adopting him, but now that he's here I'd like to make sure he's happy and healthy. Any advice or tips at all would be much appreciated. I know you guys must get this all the time.
I just purchased a baby sulcata, and it won over my heart in the hour or so I spent discussing its needs with a man at the pet store. I just need to know a few things about keeping them and their normal behavior.
Bruce is four months old (so said the pet store), and is about three and a half inches long. I'm honestly not too sure about his weight. The behaviors I have questions about are these:
He's very vocal, or so it appears. He chirps when something startles him and on various other occasions. He also seems to grunt, like a forced, quick exhale, when he exerts himself while climbing or digging. I was wondering if this vocalization is normal, and if I can look forward to future conversations with him?
Also on my list of questions and concerns is his innate ability to sleep. After an hour of activity, he's out like a light once he's found somewhere dark and warm. Should young tortoises sleep so much?
He also occasionally blows bubbles with his nose. This is one of my more serious concerns, as I have heard that sulcatas are prone to respiratory infections in which this is a symptom. It doesn't happen often, but when he's in the bath, or just waking up he tends to blow a few. Is this safe?
And as a new parent, I have to know how much it's safe to handle the little guy. He's adorable and very personable. Not scared of much. He's actually sleeping under my shirt right now. I was wondering what the upper and lower limits of handling are for sulcatas.
Finally, he gets into these little modes when around one of the lights I was told to get for him where he rubs his face on his forelimbs like his nose itches. Is it the light or something else causing this?
Thanks in advance, and my last apologies are for the length of the post and for my ignorance in regards to sulcatas. I should have done more research before adopting him, but now that he's here I'd like to make sure he's happy and healthy. Any advice or tips at all would be much appreciated. I know you guys must get this all the time.