Hatchling Shell

[RTAYLOR540]

Hello All,

As a rule, what are the signs to determine how hard or soft a hatchling Sulcata tortoise shell should be? My torts top shell is hard and does not give, but the bottom middle and the sides have a slight give to them. Hard when tapped but gives with some pressure. Has not seemed to have gotten worse since I got it.

Thanks!

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

if he get natural sunlight and a using a uvb bulb he should be fine. baby torts will have some give in there shell for the first year of life.

 

[turtlelady80]

Proper UVB needed for proper calcium absorption will harden them up.

 

[RTAYLOR540]

I use the reptisun 10.0 uvb bulb and a zoo med repti basking spot lamp during the day and also try to provide an hour or so every other day at least outside in South Florida sunlight around mid morning.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

I use the reptisun 10.0 uvb bulb and a zoo med repti basking spot lamp during the day and also try to provide an hour or so every other day at least outside in South Florida sunlight around mid morning.

is it a coil bulb?

 

[RTAYLOR540]

No, I have attached a photo of the box below.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

No, I have attached a photo of the box below.

i asked another member and they said it was a compact coil bulb and it still can damage the torts eyes.

 

[RTAYLOR540]

Ok, that is good to know. What would be a more suitable UV bulb? Thank you.

 

[sulcata tortoise #1]

The reptisun 100 watt is really good because it provides heat, uvb, and uva. You can get from petco for $50. This is a picture of the bulb itself. I highly recommend this.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002AQDJK/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20 yea i think this is the one. i would ask a more experienced member.

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Slight softness in babies is normal. What you describe, sounds normal.

You live in South Florida huh? If it were me, I'd save my $ by not buying/using any artificial UV lighting and just make sure to provide a good hour or so daily outdoors. I can say this because I did it.. Living in SoCal, I never used indoor UV. But I did make sure my torts had great outdoor enclosures and saw enough sunlight
Nothing wrong with using artificial UV (unless it's a coil bulb..) and many in sunny climates choose to offer it anyway and play it safe. Just throwing out my opinion as another option to consider.

 

[RTAYLOR540]

Thank you for the input! I try to use the Florida sun as much as possible.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

Thank you for the input! I try to use the Florida sun as much as possible.

you are so lucky! your little guy can live outside the entire year!

 

[sulcata tortoise #1]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002AQDJK/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20 yea i think this is the one. i would ask a more experienced member.

That's the one I'm talking about.