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shelly85

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Feb 10, 2015
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Hi my name is Shelly. I have a 6 year old Sulcata, Dakota, who is no where near 100 lbs! I am very worried and have not been told the proper way to care for him. He is healthy, clear eyes and alert and has definitely been growing, just very slowly. I have just changed his diet and need to know how humid his tank should be kept. Please help
 

Heather H

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hi and welcome. if you post pictures it really helps the others out with helping you . :) tortoise and enclosure pics
 

wellington

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Hello and Welcome:). At this point, make him a humid hide. 80% humidity and 80 temp. Like Heather H said, more help can also be given if enclousre and diet , etc is given. Below in my post are Toms threads on raising a hatchling sulcata. Reading it will help you to understand how he should have been raise and something's that you can adjust to his size now.
 

Yvonne G

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Hi Shelly, and welcome to the Forum!!

At this point, at six years, humidity isn't the issue it would be if Dakota were a baby. The humidity is important during their first year of life to aid in smooth shell growth.

There are several things that help a tortoise grow smooth and strong: humidity, a good, varied diet, a LOT of exercise (a big habitat) and UVB either from the sun of from a good UVB light.

Tortoises all grow at different rates. I doubt Dakota would have reached 100lbs yet even with the most experienced keeper. How big is he?
 

shelly85

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Feb 10, 2015
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He is about 7 by 5 inches. I got him when he was about 5 mos old from a pet store in Orlando, FL. I just started feeding him orchard grass and pumpkin purée with calcium twice a month, up until then I was feeding him large grass pellets from the pet store, spinach and fruit for a treat. I use a uv lamp and heat lamp in a large glass tank. He always has fresh water in a dish he can get into. I will put pics up soon. The lights are on from 7am to 8pm. I just got an under-tank heater today.
 

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