Huge Sulcata dry shell

[Tyrus]

I have a 42 year old 185-200lb male sulcata. His shell is very dry and flaky. Is Olive Oul a decent moisturizer?

 

[Tyrus]

Also will he crush his friend? She is about 40-45 lbs

 

[Yvonne G]

Yeah, for her safety they need separate yards. She may be mature enough to lay eggs, but it would be to her benefit to allow her to grow for a couple more years before you put them together. As a shell dressing you can use cold pressed coconut oil. Rub it on, allow to sit a while, then polish it off with an absorbent cloth.

 

[Tom]

I have a 42 year old 185-200lb male sulcata. His shell is very dry and flaky. Is Olive Oul a decent moisturizer?

How do you know the age? It was not common to see this species before around 1990. They were very few and far between prior to that.

Add humidity to the night shelter using tubs or buckets of water in there for evaporation, but be sure that it is staying 80+ degrees.

Don't use heat lamps or CHEs on large tortoises like this. What are you using to heat his shelter?

Tortoises should never live in pairs.

 

[Tyrus]

How do you know the age? It was not common to see this species before around 1990. They were very few and far between prior to that.

Add humidity to the night shelter using tubs or buckets of water in there for evaporation, but be sure that it is staying 80+ degrees.

Don't use heat lamps or CHEs on large tortoises like this. What are you using to heat his shelter?

Tortoises should never live in pairs.

 

[Tyrus]

Tom,
I was told by the previous owner the age of the tortoise. He is huge 200+ pounds. Has a few obvious anomalies with his shell.
I have had him only about two weeks. I hope he is younger than the 42+ years they say he is.
We brought him inside our house for the cold freezing weather here. When outside I have a large dog house warmed to 75-80• with a large Installed above head & side heating pads. We live in a very cold area.
Yes, I had to remove the 45-50lb female.
Thank you for your advice!

 

[Tyrus]

Yeah, for her safety they need separate yards. She may be mature enough to lay eggs, but it would be to her benefit to allow her to grow for a couple more years before you put them together. As a shell dressing you can use cold pressed coconut oil. Rub it on, allow to sit a while, then polish it off with an absorbent cloth.

Yvonne,
Thank you for the advice. They are separate as he hunts her down and crowds her in the turtle house enclosure. I just gave him a minimal little oil rub.

 

[Tom]

Tom,
I was told by the previous owner the age of the tortoise. He is huge 200+ pounds. Has a few obvious anomalies with his shell.
I have had him only about two weeks. I hope he is younger than the 42+ years they say he is.
We brought him inside our house for the cold freezing weather here. When outside I have a large dog house warmed to 75-80• with a large Installed above head & side heating pads. We live in a very cold area.
Yes, I had to remove the 45-50lb female.
Thank you for your advice!

I'm in SCV about 80 miles from you. Similar climate and weather. My Dad lived in Hemet.

Here are two night box designs with safe effective heating strategies, so he can live outside full time:

Single Tortoise Night Box

I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...

tortoiseforum.org

Double Door Night Box

As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...

tortoiseforum.org