First Sully, Any Help Appreciated.

jaswang

New Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Messages
2
Location (City and/or State)
Fremont, California
Hi guys, a friend of mine decided to move and had to offload some young sulcatas. After some research, I decided to take one under my wing. However, Kappa is not only my first sulcata, but also my first pet, and I'm wondering if I'm doing everything OK. Her tank size is 30.5 inchs by 12.7 inches; lighting is a Reptisun 5.0 UVB plus a ZooMed Mini Combo Deep Dome with a Repti Basking Spot Lamp plus a Nocturnal Infrared Heat Lamp. Kappa herself is a roughly year old female Sulcata, she's got a bit of pyramiding from what I believe to be poor care from her previous owner. She's roughly 6.3 ounces, her shell length being 3.75 inches straight across. Although she does take naps fairly often, she's also fairly active, and I try to take her outside everyday for an hour or two. She's a bit of a picky eater, I haven't seen her really dig into any of the wild clovers or weeds in my backyard, she prefers leaves, and especially dried up grasses. I'm a bit worried she isn't eating enough. I wash her daily for 30 min in warm water, and she seems to poop every 3 days-ish. In her tank, the substrate is a 65/35 mixture of backyard dirt and orchid bark, respectively, with the substrate under her hide being sphagnum moss. The temperature under the hot side of her tank is usually around 88, but at night I've seen it drop to around 80 (which I'm afraid is too low). Whenever she naps or sleeps it's always in the hide. I mist her enclosure anywhere from once to three times a day, and always make sure to spray in her hide. She's a bit shy but I think she's getting used to me. So, do you guys have any tips? Anything is appreciated. Thanks! IMG_20180331_165332.jpgIMG_20180331_165316.jpgIMG_20180331_165301.jpgIMG_20180331_165452.jpgIMG_20180331_165457.jpg
 

TechnoCheese

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Feb 20, 2016
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Welcome to the forum!
Your care definitely needs some help.
For starters, please give these a read-
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php...ealthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/
For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/
Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/
You need a bigger enclosure. A 4x2 foot vivarium will last a while, but an 8x4 one will last it until it can go outside.
You need to get rid of the compact uvb, and get a tube fluorescent. I like the reptisun 10.0.
Get rid of the colored light, and replace it with a ceramic heat emitter.
Get the humidity up to 80% ASAP. She has some pretty severe pyramiding from the lack of humidity.
Get the temperatures correct ASAP. You need a 100 degree basking spot with night temps and cool side temps never falling below 80 degrees.
Definitely give those links a read and come back with questions:)
 

jaswang

New Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Messages
2
Location (City and/or State)
Fremont, California
Welcome to the forum!
Your care definitely needs some help.
For starters, please give these a read-
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php...ealthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/
For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/
Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/
You need a bigger enclosure. A 4x2 foot vivarium will last a while, but an 8x4 one will last it until it can go outside.
You need to get rid of the compact uvb, and get a tube fluorescent. I like the reptisun 10.0.
Get rid of the colored light, and replace it with a ceramic heat emitter.
Get the humidity up to 80% ASAP. She has some pretty severe pyramiding from the lack of humidity.
Get the temperatures correct ASAP. You need a 100 degree basking spot with night temps and cool side temps never falling below 80 degrees.
Definitely give those links a read and come back with questions:)
I'm able to do everything but size right now, and I'm thinking of building her an outdoor enclosure. However, I'm worried, I know the tank is already to small for her but I'm not sure when I can get the outdoor terrarium done by, exactly how urgent is the size issue?
 

TechnoCheese

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Feb 20, 2016
Messages
4,505
Location (City and/or State)
Lewisville, Texas
I'm able to do everything but size right now, and I'm thinking of building her an outdoor enclosure. However, I'm worried, I know the tank is already to small for her but I'm not sure when I can get the outdoor terrarium done by, exactly how urgent is the size issue?

The size issue is pretty urgent, because there is no way to achieve a proper heat gradient in one that small. Keep in mind that baby tortoises cannot be kept outside all day. A good rule of thumb is one hour outside per inch of shell.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
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Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,265
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
I'm able to do everything but size right now, and I'm thinking of building her an outdoor enclosure. However, I'm worried, I know the tank is already to small for her but I'm not sure when I can get the outdoor terrarium done by, exactly how urgent is the size issue?
An outdoor enclosure is good for a few hours during nice weather, but you definitely need a large indoor enclosure for at least another year or two.
 
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