Michaelangelosmom
New Member
This is my first time to post here, although I have visited this site many times. I have found so much useful information. I joined yesterday and did a profile post, so hope it is all there. Not really sure how to put a picture up, because I know it will be helpful, but I will try. I started helping my grandson with his Sulcata back in March. He had asked for a turtle, while staying with his mother and Step-father, but they decided he needed a Sulcata??? This was going g on two years ago, and the tortoise, Michaelangelo, (he was a huge fan of the Ninja Turtles when he was little)was still very small, but not sue on the age. At the time my grandson was given Michael, my grandson was 15, and to make this long story a little shorter, he was told here, research how to take care of it. He was staying there with his mom and step-dad for a year, but came back home to his dad's this past January. He tried the best he could, with what things he was given,but knew Michael was not growing like he should. He asked me to help and so our journey began this past March. I am really surprised that he is as healthy as he is, due to having a very small enclosure as he had, not going outside at all until this past March and not getting the proper foods, but we were both determined to do our best for him. Michael lives with me now, as my grandson's room is just not big enough to house a proper size habitat, but he visits all the time and I have fallen in love with Michael! I don't know if torts can have a personality, but he sure seems to! So, sorry for the long intro, but thought it might help a little for these upcoming questions. He now has a new habitat that is 5 foot long, and has a cool side at one end and at the other end, his basking rock. He doesn't have all the decorations in there, but I formed some hill type area, because he really likes going over these. I took Tom's advice for using the incandescent flood lamp for basking and the ceramic heating element for warmth elsewhere, and a LED bulb for light when needed. His habitat is in front of a big west window which gets a lot of light, especially in the afternoon. We take him outside each day we can which totals about 2 hours per week, sometimes more, depending on the weather.(we live in central Texas) My question is, what size uvb/uva tube should I get for his enclosure for those days it is too cold for him to go outside, especially the length of the tube, and should it be a 5 or a 10? He eats very well, but I have never been quite sure on the amount, but he has grown. My backyard has plenty of dandelion and clover and I mix that in with spring mix. I know that he is not completely smooth, as he didn't get the moisture level he needed for awhile, but after reading on this forum, I am doing better on this. Sorry for such a long post, but I want to take the best care I can of him! Thank you!
