Sulcatatortoise101
New Member
I just got a baby sulcata yesterday and I want to make sure it’s not sick. It’s staying in the hide all the time and only moves to eat or (barely) walk around. I posted pics
Worried about new sulcata!!
- Thread starter Sulcatatortoise101
- Start date
What are your enclosure temps? Cool side, warm side and night. What is your humidity?
A few problems with your enclosure-
It is much too small. Hatchling Sulcatas should be started in no less than a 40 gallon (36x18 inch floor space) tank or tub, but preferably a 4x2 foot enclosure. Yours does not allow enough space for a proper temperature gradient or for the tortoise to roam.
There is no water bowl in your enclosure. It is imperative that you get a terra cotta saucer that is large enough for your tortoise to fit in to fill with water. The food bowl should also be replaced with a terra cotta saucer or flat slate.
You need a much thicker layer of substrate, preferably 2-4 inches thick, to hold the necessary amount of humidity for this tortoise.
You appear to be using a compact UVB. These do not emit proper levels of UVB, and are known to cause eye burns in tortoises. It should be switched to a 10.0 horizontal tube.
Please keep in mind that your tortoise requires temperatures no lower than 80 degrees day and night, with humidity above 80% at all times. Be sure to give these a read
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/How-To-Raise-A-Healthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/
For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/
Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/
A few problems with your enclosure-
It is much too small. Hatchling Sulcatas should be started in no less than a 40 gallon (36x18 inch floor space) tank or tub, but preferably a 4x2 foot enclosure. Yours does not allow enough space for a proper temperature gradient or for the tortoise to roam.
There is no water bowl in your enclosure. It is imperative that you get a terra cotta saucer that is large enough for your tortoise to fit in to fill with water. The food bowl should also be replaced with a terra cotta saucer or flat slate.
You need a much thicker layer of substrate, preferably 2-4 inches thick, to hold the necessary amount of humidity for this tortoise.
You appear to be using a compact UVB. These do not emit proper levels of UVB, and are known to cause eye burns in tortoises. It should be switched to a 10.0 horizontal tube.
Please keep in mind that your tortoise requires temperatures no lower than 80 degrees day and night, with humidity above 80% at all times. Be sure to give these a read
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/How-To-Raise-A-Healthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/
For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/
Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/
Sulcatatortoise101
New Member
What are your enclosure temps? Cool side, warm side and night. What is your humidity?
A few problems with your enclosure-
It is much too small. Hatchling Sulcatas should be started in no less than a 40 gallon (36x18 inch floor space) tank or tub, but preferably a 4x2 foot enclosure. Yours does not allow enough space for a proper temperature gradient or for the tortoise to roam.
There is no water bowl in your enclosure. It is imperative that you get a terra cotta saucer that is large enough for your tortoise to fit in to fill with water. The food bowl should also be replaced with a terra cotta saucer or flat slate.
You need a much thicker layer of substrate, preferably 2-4 inches thick, to hold the necessary amount of humidity for this tortoise.
You appear to be using a compact UVB. These do not emit proper levels of UVB, and are known to cause eye burns in tortoises. It should be switched to a 10.0 horizontal tube.
Please keep in mind that your tortoise requires temperatures no lower than 80 degrees day and night, with humidity above 80% at all times. Be sure to give these a read
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/How-To-Raise-A-Healthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/
For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/
Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/
Thank you and I know about the water bowl already I am getting one today and I couldn’t find a tank bigger then the 10 gallon one in all the places I went and I had already gotten the tortoise as a gift.
Try getting a 50 gallon sterilite tub or 4x2 foot Christmas tree tub, if you can find one. Walmart sells both of these.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilit...MI7ezLz_-S5wIVQP7jBx2xoA65EAQYASABEgJFZPD_BwE
Sulcatatortoise101
New Member
Thank you so much and does the tortoise look healthy from what you can see. I’ll try to find what you told me to. Thank you
Great advice from Technocheese.Thank you so much and does the tortoise look healthy from what you can see. I’ll try to find what you told me to. Thank you
To re-emphasize: This is a tropical species of tortoise. It needs to be kept warm day and night. Not below 80 degrees in the coldest part of the enclosure, day or night.
