tortoisemom2121
New Member
Hi! My neighbor has desert tortoises and they found a newborn baby desert tortoise last week in their backyard. I’ve been trying to help them figure out care for the baby as the couple is older and not great with technology. I actually have a sulcata tortoise, but have never raised babies so I’m learning as I try to help them although I’m sure there are differences in the care for a DT and sulcata. I’ve read so much conflicting information. Some sources say to utilize a light, and others say a light or heating pad will overheat the tortoise. Some say to put the tortoise in a plastic tub while others say a glass cage is fine. Some say dirt substrate is good and some say it’s bad and to use wood chips. I have no idea what to tell my neighbors because the information is so conflicting. The baby also has not absorbed all of its yolk sac. I was able to find information for them that said to place the tortoise on wax paper as that would help to absorb it. That worked and helped a lot, but the little guy still has some left that isn’t being absorbed, which isn’t helping him move. I’ve read several things that say to try warm wet paper towels? But I’m afraid without a heat source, the wet paper towels will get too cold.
I guess the most pressing matter is the lamp/heating source and helping him to get the rest of this yolk sac absorbed. Does he need a light? If so, what kind and what temperature? Does the light source depend on what you place him in (a plastic tub v a glass cage)? If it’s a glass cage, do you have to be careful about the light heating up the glass too much? If I can help my neighbors find some sort of heat source, then the wet paper towels shouldn’t get too cold right?
I’m just trying to help in any way I can and am feeling overwhelmed by the information, so it’s hard for me to tell them what to do. Any advice is greatly appreciated. TIA!
I guess the most pressing matter is the lamp/heating source and helping him to get the rest of this yolk sac absorbed. Does he need a light? If so, what kind and what temperature? Does the light source depend on what you place him in (a plastic tub v a glass cage)? If it’s a glass cage, do you have to be careful about the light heating up the glass too much? If I can help my neighbors find some sort of heat source, then the wet paper towels shouldn’t get too cold right?
I’m just trying to help in any way I can and am feeling overwhelmed by the information, so it’s hard for me to tell them what to do. Any advice is greatly appreciated. TIA!