My sister bought a Sulcata...

[Ramus]

My little sister and mom bought a Sulcata tortoise behind my back with the money she had been saving. She is 14 and some what knows how to takecare of torts. I just want to get acquainted with Sulcatas because if she fails to take care of it the duty will probably have to fall to me.

 

[Pokeymeg]

It sounds like you didn't want her to get a Sulcata? That's very responsible of you to try and learn more! There are so many resources on here on TFO to help with raising Sulcatas!

 

[Jay Rennemeyer]

The Short List:
1 - They get big! 100-200 lbs!
2 - They need a lot of space.
3 - They require high humidity - 80% to 100%.
4 - They require temperatures between 75 and 90 degrees.
5 - All veggies; no meat.

 

[juli11]

The Short List:
1 - They get big! 100-200 lbs!
2 - They need a lot of space.
3 - They require high humidity - 80% to 100%.
4 - They require temperatures between 75 and 90 degrees.
5 - All veggies; no meat.

Are you sure that they need 80-100% humidity? Tia humidity level you need for rain forest species like K. Erosa. The sulcatas live in dry Savannah's which haven't got this humidity level. You only need a higher level when they have 0-2 years.

 

[Jay Rennemeyer]

Are you sure that they need 80-100% humidity? Tia humidity level you need for rainforest species like K. Erosa. The sulcatas live in dry Savannah's which haven't got this humidity level. You only need a higher level when they have 0-2 years.

I used to think that too, until reading this forum a couple of weeks ago. I raised my sulcata 'dry' because that's what the experts said 14 years ago when I got her. By now she should weigh over 100 lbs, but she only weighs 20! I was told it was because of her lack of water and humidity. During hot months they burrow underground where the humidity is naturally higher. Any rain will flow down into the burrow and add to the humidity level. I have set up a water dish and am working to get the humidity level up as far as possible. Since she's outside in the summer, this may require misting sprinkler heads.

BTW: Don't raise them dry intentionally to keep them small; it will affect their long-term health. It will be interesting to see if Cecil starts growing now that she's getting the moisture that she needs.

 

[Justin C.]

High humidity as a hatchling ~ young adult, after which level can be reduced.
high humidity + high temp = smooth shell

Hatchling in the wild are underground for sometime where the humidity levels are high.

 

[Justin C.]

At the top of the Sulcatas thread there is a care sheet by TOM, please share this with your sister.
He has very smooth looking tortoises.

 

[dmmj]

Correction to the diet, little to no veggies, lots of leaves and flowers of various plants, no meat.

 

[naturalman91]

i applaud you on thinking a head of time, reminds me of my niece any animal she gets always find it's way to me sooner or later at one time i had 3 ball python's two rabbits and some hermit crabs all came from her, i didn't mind the ball python's as i love snakes and have quite a few myself but i think the rabbit's lead to me getting bit a couple times by the snakes for smelling them on me.

 

[Jay Rennemeyer]

Correction to the diet, little to no veggies, lots of leaves and flowers of various plants, no meat.

True. I think of veggies as "all plant life" because I really dislike eating veggies. I'm a carnivore and fruitarian.

 

[Tank'sMom]

How old is it? A baby? Do you have a pic?

 

[Jay Rennemeyer]

Cecil is 14 -- I got her for Christmas in 1999. This is the most recent picture I have access to at the moment. I was trying to weigh her, and it turns out the easiest way was to high-center her on a can of corn. (McGyver!)

 

[Jay Rennemeyer]

@Tank'sMom: I just realized you weren't talking to me. I'm going to blame sleep deprivation.

 

[Arnold_rules]

Few things to add to the list:
-Shelled construction equipment, the bulldozer/backhoes of the tortoise community
-The word "obstacle" is not in their vocabulary and are extremely good at going through things (remember, four legged construction equipment)
-Willingly contribute to one's landscaping, unfortunately, it is usually the destruction of said landscape. See previous two items

 

[Ramus]

It's a hatchling and it's coming on Monday. I've already helped her setup a tank and I've already got her the correct kind of bulbs (mvb).

 

[Tank'sMom]

It's a hatchling and it's coming on Monday. I've already helped her setup a tank and I've already got her the correct kind of bulbs (mvb).

A hatchling being one month old or less? Keep in mind you will need very high humidity in your enclosure. At that age they almost still require an incubator. Very tight control over the climate.
I keep mine in a plastic box with coco coir and very damp substrate. And leave the lid on with heat lamps and under tank heater pads. Several thermometers and hydrometers for different areas. If it still has a yolk sac, keep it on paper towels only until that heals.
What does your set up look like now?

And you'll need to soak it at least once everyday! They are fun and cute. But they do get big!

 

[Tank'sMom]

Cecil is 14 -- I got her for Christmas in 1999. This is the most recent picture I have access to at the moment. I was trying to weigh her, and it turns out the easiest way was to high-center her on a can of corn. (McGyver!)

Lol. It's ok. I like to hear about everyone's Sully's! Mine has to have two 5 gallon buckets on the scale. 120 lbs.

 

[Ramus]

I probably shouldn't have used hatchling it's 3 inches at the moment.

 

[Ramus]

Also I plan to house in one of those plastic tubs. Do I have to clean that tub out with anything before it's safe for the tort?

 

[Tank'sMom]

Just wipe it down well and air it out. My pics didn't go through from what I can see. Lemme try again. Do you know how old he is?