Timothy hay as bedding?

Kianaj10103

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Hi! I have a tiny sulcata which I've had for 4 months.. I wa just wondering is it possible to use Timothy hay as bedding? I was just wondering for the near future.
 

ZEROPILOT

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I use it as bedding for my out doors tortoises.
Just replace it when (IF) it gets wet.
Also, something to consider that may never be an issue.....make sure to not use it beneath any heat lamp that could fall into the pen. It could be a fire hazard.
 

wellington

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I would not use it for a hatchling or one that can't live outside yet. It's too drying, will mold with the high humidity a young one should have and it's very woody/stiff and could damage a young ones eye easily. Orchid bark or my favo coconut coir is best.
 

Jodie

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It is ok for an adult not a hatchling or even juvenile. Lights hung on a post are ok. The clamps can fail and are not safe no matter what substrate you use.
 

Yvonne G

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No, I wouldn't use any kind of hay as bedding. Your tortoise needs a moist substrate in order for the humidity to be correct. You can't moisten hay without running into mold.
 

Lyn W

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Hi and welcome
If you have a look at the caresheet for Sulcatas under the Species Specific section that will tell you all about diet, temps, humidity and substrate etc. The Beginners Mistakes thread (link below) will also give you some good do's and don'ts and the Enclosures thread has lots of great ideas.
 

Tom

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How do I moisten the substrate?

Hello and welcome to the forum. It sounds like you've been given the old outdated care information for this species that hatches out during the hot, wet, humid, African rainy season. They are NOT a desert species and dry conditions are really really bad for babies. Dry is totally unnatural for this species.

Please give these a read through:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
 

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