My daughter has always had a thing for turtles but recently discovered the Sulcata... I did as much research as I could and finally got her a hatchling. I currently have him (Fluffy, because of the ironic nature of the name) on a tort table approx 30x20 and I am building him a larger and higher grade table today. Right now im keeping the temp between 75-81 he has an elevated platform to allow him to get closer to the lamp and a heat mat underneath. The ramp to the platform has ridges so he doesnt slip. He can get under the platform to hide as well as a hollowed out log to hideout in. A top soil mix about 9x6 and about 4 inches deep to burrow in. Diet consists of a grassland tort pellet moistened with a bit of water for ease that the pet store recommend and fresh kale and small celery stalk w/ leaves which seems to be his favorite. The new table I plan on building today will have an improved burrowing area and possibly a second and I was also thinking of including a small & very shallow wading pool so he can soak at will. Current underlayment was a mulch type material recommend by the pet store but for some reason that just seems wrong. Any input and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I would hate to learn the hard way at the cost of this awesome little critters life. Anyone who has had experience with sulcata hatchlings/babies that could offer any input on how to make his life better, easier and more comfortable please let me know.
New Tort/Fluffy
- Thread starter jsntowers
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WElcome to the Forum, jsntowers!
Go to the Forum page, scroll down to the sulcata section, then at the top of that section there are a whole bunch of "stickies" or important threads for you to read. Here is just one of them:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-52524.html
Go to the Forum page, scroll down to the sulcata section, then at the top of that section there are a whole bunch of "stickies" or important threads for you to read. Here is just one of them:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-52524.html
Hi. Welcome to the Forum. There are a lot of experienced sulcata keepers here that have helped us newcomers achieve very good results raising these from babies. I think that one of the most important things you can do is to be able to accurately control the temperature, humidity, and lighting in their environment. When they are at the correct temps and humidity they will be eat, be active, healthy, and fun to watch as they develop. To set up the temps properly I think a temp gun is a handy tool to have. Once they are set, a good indoor/outdoor thermometer is good to monitor the main temps in the enclosure.
Here is the temp gun I use:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/products/super-cub-dsm-rtf-PXTPE1
Some of our more experienced members have taken time to summarize their experiences and recommendations for raising sulcatas. If you have looked over this forum you have probably found some of them by now, but in case you haven't take a look at these:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-18448.html
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-45180.html#axzz1tFmWpjdi
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-52524.html#axzz230UaOdPU
And this one too. It has just a lot of info.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-35317.html#axzz1s7KwW130
Good luck. Hope to see you back here with lots of new questions.
Here is the temp gun I use:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/products/super-cub-dsm-rtf-PXTPE1
Some of our more experienced members have taken time to summarize their experiences and recommendations for raising sulcatas. If you have looked over this forum you have probably found some of them by now, but in case you haven't take a look at these:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-18448.html
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-45180.html#axzz1tFmWpjdi
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-52524.html#axzz230UaOdPU
And this one too. It has just a lot of info.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-35317.html#axzz1s7KwW130
Good luck. Hope to see you back here with lots of new questions.
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