General questions from a newbie

Danielle Moro

New Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2016
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2
Hello everyone- I'm new I just found this site and already I've learned so much about my new sulcata! I do still have a few questions as I don't have much experience. Right now the temperature outside my home is about 91 degrees F and I would like to let him roam around freely, but I'm nervous about the heat. My last turtle (and my very first) shriveled up and died in the heat one summer day. I felt terrible about it and don't want to make that mistake again. Although I was just a kid and it was a total accident- I'll never recover from the horror it brought me. *sorry for the rant*
I'd also like to know if fruit was okay to feed them. I've read many mixed opinions about that.
What foods are poisonous to them? The man I bought from said avocados are bad...
And finally, I've plants some succulents in the tank and I wanted to know if the little white pebble looking pieces in the soil are safe?? I'll attach a picture of "Scully" (yes, it's an x-files reference)
Thank you so much :)
 

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Tom

The Dog Trainer
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Hello and welcome. :)

Lots of good questions. I'll hit them in order:
1. Its fine to let them have outside time any time the temperature is between say 70 and 95. They mush have lots of deep shade from high over head, and you must monitor temps. Infrared temp guns make this easy. Your tortoise should not roam freely. He should be in an enclosure that is safe and designed to meet his needs. I like to use 4x8' pens for babies to sun in. Lots of examples in the enclosure section. Like this:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/cheap-easy-simple-sunning-enclosure.14680/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/simple-sunning-enclosure.104351/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...table-but-safe-outdoor-baby-enclosures.30683/

2. No fruit. Its not good for them. Here is what to feed: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

3. The little white pebble pieces are called perlite. NOT safe and they need to be removed immediately.

Check these out:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
 

Alexio

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Syracuse, New York
Welcome!
There is also this thread going over in the "tortoise food and diet" section of the forum. It has a running list of edible and non edible plants /flowers. There are also many many individual threads going about specific plants and foods. Also if your really lucky and post pictures, people will try to help you in "plant I'd". Good luck!
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/14564/
 

wellington

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Hello and Welcome. Sorry about what happened to your first turtle, but you didn't do it on purpose and if you had know better you would have done better, just like you are doing now. The info already given and the links posted are your best friends for doing it right for your little one.
 

Gillian M

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A very warm welcome to the forum to you as well as your cute little tort. :<3:
 

Danielle Moro

New Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2016
Messages
2
Hello all! Thank you for all the great responses. I will be looking through all the attached links- I can't wait to learn more about my new little friend :)
 

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