Hi All,
I first wanted to say, a big thank you to everyone on this forum. All of the info, caresheets, posts etc., you've worked so hard on have made my first time with a sulcata a good one. Cannot express how grateful I am to have found this forum in my initial research, as it helped me setup my closed chamber and get all of the correct products.(my enclosure is the same model 6×3 grow tent Chubbs tegu used for his sulcata)
To give some background, I have my enclosure dialed in to the specs on Tom's carehsheet. Led light for ambient lighting, arcadia tube for UVB, and incandescent flood bulb for basking. Using a CHE to maintain ambient temps at night, set to go no lower than 83/84 in the farthest corners from the CHEs. Basking slate is 100 directly under the bulb. Humidity remains consistently in the 93-99 % range. Substrate is 2/3 coir and 1/3 orchid bark, with orchid bark covering the top. I get a 3.5 on my solarmeter directly under the arcadia tube, which I based on other posts I saw.
My tortoise eats a highly varied diet with grass, weeds being staples, as well as grocery greens like endive and escarole. I also grow my own wheat grass, and include other grocery store greens like cilantro, cactus pads, dandelion greens, bok choy, chicory, radish leaves, turnip leaves, collard greens, mustard greens, etc., all in moderation and variety. I also feed zoo med grassland diet, mazuri ls(he/ she doesn't like the original,) as well as organic tortoise hay, dried flowers, and other dried mix-ins. I supplemental calcium and vitamin powder a couple times per week.
I got my tortoise in September from a member on this forum who had good reviews. I will not disclose on this post who but please DM me if you'd like to know. It was in the 50 gram range when getting it and yesterday weighed in at 133 grams.
After settling in the first week, the tortoise began to do well, eating, drinking, pooping but sometimes the poop schedule was off and I noticed it seemed to be growing slower than I would have anticipated. However, I saw they all grow at different rates do didn't want to be alarmed.
After about two - three weeks with my tort, I noticed a black scab in the belly, which after reading found it could be an umbilical scar. From older posts, I saw this could mean the tort was started too dry or maybe put on substrate too soon, instead of leaving it in the browser box until the egg sack absorbed. The seller advised me they did daily soaks and hosted in a humid closed chamber, so I am suspecting maybe put on substrate too soon.
None the less, with time it healed completely and by the week of new years she was in the 80s gram range. Apparently the tort was born sometime in July.
Since December, she's really been taking off and weighed 133 grams yesterday. Overall a very active and happy tort now and seeming to finally be growing how I would have anticipated.
However, a few days a ago I discovered this bump. And this AM I noticed what I beleive is another that is super small and barely visible, under her chin on her neck area. No puss or anything oozing, and almost look like she may have just nicked her back neck on her shell but now seeing the other very tiny one I'm concerned.
I've attached pictures and id really appreciate if someone could let me know their thoughts. Please also let me know if you have any questions, would like more pics etc.
Everything for enclosure was bought brand new and she was the last reptile in my house. But I have an extensive snake collection, which Predates her I am concerned about. They are in completely different areas of the home and I tend to my tort during the day and snakes at night but am very concerned for my snakes if this is the yellow bumps. I also don't share anything like temp guns and gadgets, snakes all have their own and tortoise does too. And I am washing my hands like crazy but still concerned if it can travel in the vents and air system of the house, etc.
Thank you for any insight you can lend. I've put so much time into my little tort, like all of my fantastic beasts and I want nothing more than her to thrive and grow. (And to also keep my other friends safe. I've put so many years into my snakes and would be devastated if something happened)
Anthony
I first wanted to say, a big thank you to everyone on this forum. All of the info, caresheets, posts etc., you've worked so hard on have made my first time with a sulcata a good one. Cannot express how grateful I am to have found this forum in my initial research, as it helped me setup my closed chamber and get all of the correct products.(my enclosure is the same model 6×3 grow tent Chubbs tegu used for his sulcata)
To give some background, I have my enclosure dialed in to the specs on Tom's carehsheet. Led light for ambient lighting, arcadia tube for UVB, and incandescent flood bulb for basking. Using a CHE to maintain ambient temps at night, set to go no lower than 83/84 in the farthest corners from the CHEs. Basking slate is 100 directly under the bulb. Humidity remains consistently in the 93-99 % range. Substrate is 2/3 coir and 1/3 orchid bark, with orchid bark covering the top. I get a 3.5 on my solarmeter directly under the arcadia tube, which I based on other posts I saw.
My tortoise eats a highly varied diet with grass, weeds being staples, as well as grocery greens like endive and escarole. I also grow my own wheat grass, and include other grocery store greens like cilantro, cactus pads, dandelion greens, bok choy, chicory, radish leaves, turnip leaves, collard greens, mustard greens, etc., all in moderation and variety. I also feed zoo med grassland diet, mazuri ls(he/ she doesn't like the original,) as well as organic tortoise hay, dried flowers, and other dried mix-ins. I supplemental calcium and vitamin powder a couple times per week.
I got my tortoise in September from a member on this forum who had good reviews. I will not disclose on this post who but please DM me if you'd like to know. It was in the 50 gram range when getting it and yesterday weighed in at 133 grams.
After settling in the first week, the tortoise began to do well, eating, drinking, pooping but sometimes the poop schedule was off and I noticed it seemed to be growing slower than I would have anticipated. However, I saw they all grow at different rates do didn't want to be alarmed.
After about two - three weeks with my tort, I noticed a black scab in the belly, which after reading found it could be an umbilical scar. From older posts, I saw this could mean the tort was started too dry or maybe put on substrate too soon, instead of leaving it in the browser box until the egg sack absorbed. The seller advised me they did daily soaks and hosted in a humid closed chamber, so I am suspecting maybe put on substrate too soon.
None the less, with time it healed completely and by the week of new years she was in the 80s gram range. Apparently the tort was born sometime in July.
Since December, she's really been taking off and weighed 133 grams yesterday. Overall a very active and happy tort now and seeming to finally be growing how I would have anticipated.
However, a few days a ago I discovered this bump. And this AM I noticed what I beleive is another that is super small and barely visible, under her chin on her neck area. No puss or anything oozing, and almost look like she may have just nicked her back neck on her shell but now seeing the other very tiny one I'm concerned.
I've attached pictures and id really appreciate if someone could let me know their thoughts. Please also let me know if you have any questions, would like more pics etc.
Everything for enclosure was bought brand new and she was the last reptile in my house. But I have an extensive snake collection, which Predates her I am concerned about. They are in completely different areas of the home and I tend to my tort during the day and snakes at night but am very concerned for my snakes if this is the yellow bumps. I also don't share anything like temp guns and gadgets, snakes all have their own and tortoise does too. And I am washing my hands like crazy but still concerned if it can travel in the vents and air system of the house, etc.
Thank you for any insight you can lend. I've put so much time into my little tort, like all of my fantastic beasts and I want nothing more than her to thrive and grow. (And to also keep my other friends safe. I've put so many years into my snakes and would be devastated if something happened)
Anthony
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