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Larigh · 01-22-2008, 09:11 AM

Hi all,
I just aquired another large female sulcata. She is actually the one that a gentleman found in the neighbor backyard. ANyway, I have had her since Saturday and she is not interested in eating at all. We are in Southern California so she is outside in an igloo with a 100 watt heat lamp on her. She is just not interested in eating or moving. Could it just be stress and a new enviornment. I have tried enticing her with a little banana just to get her eating and she still refuses. i have tried red leaf lettuce, green and kale. I took her out of the igloo and put her in the yard to eat some grass but nothing. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks

SIXTY_TOO · 01-22-2008, 01:09 PM

Glad you're able to take her in, she is very lucky. I think it is the stress of a new environment, but if she continues to not eat, she should see a vet. Good luck and keep us posted on the progress you two make Smile

jlyoncc1 · 01-22-2008, 01:35 PM

I have no idea, what are the temps there now? That could have an effect in addition to meandering around.

Larigh · 01-22-2008, 01:40 PM

During the day it is varying 65-75 and at night it drops to about 50 or so here.But with the heat lamp and a towel over the entrince of the igloo it stays at about 55 inside the igloo. She is in the sun so I am just hoping the not so warm weather and the change in enviorment is all that is wrong.

jlyoncc1 · 01-22-2008, 01:43 PM

She really needs to be alot warmer than that during the day. She needs to have a basking site that is 95-100 with the cool area 70-80. So, my guess is that she is not warm enough. She will end up sick if she does not get some heat. Can you get her inside until it warms up and control her heat indoors?

Larigh · 01-22-2008, 02:56 PM

Unfortunaley I can't get her inside. Do you think if I get her a heat emmiter for the igloo instead of the heat lamp and leave it on during the day that would help? Or even, leaving the heat lamp on during the day so that inside is that 95-100 and if she wants to get away form the heat she can go into the backyard. I wish I could bring her in but we live in a 800-900 square foot home and there is just not enough room for her and all of us. Thanks for the help.

jlyoncc1 · 01-22-2008, 03:04 PM

Boy, I don't know. If you could make her an outdoor shed of some sort? Something that you could keep the heat emitter in one end and she can walk away to the other end? That way it is still warm but protected. Then if she wants to go out she can. How about one of those low rubbermaid outdoor containers? I got one for my porch for my kids to keep outdoor toys in. It has a hinged lid on the top so you would have access. Then maybe cut an opening for her to go in and out with a flap to keep the heat in. Or just build something out of plywood if you are handy.

**Crazy1** · 01-22-2008, 04:14 PM

Larigh, Do you have other Sullys? what size and where are they now?

Larigh · 01-22-2008, 04:55 PM

I do. I have a male that is about 70-80 lbs. He too is outside. He has a 100 watt heat light and I cover the hole at night to keep the heat in and he is doing just fine. I have two others that are probably about 10 lbs or so and they are also outside. They have rubbermaid containers turned over with a light fixed inside for the night and they are also doing great. They are very active and eat like PIGS. So my thinking is either she is not feeling well has worms or something else going on or the stress. I am just worried about her not eating. It has only been 3 days, but I am a worrier when I don't know the regular pattern of animals. I will get her a heat emitter and see what we can put together this weekend for her. Thanks again. Any ideas are always welcome.

jlyoncc1 · 01-22-2008, 05:03 PM

Larigh, If your other guys are doing well then maybe it is just stress. Or maybe she ate something she shoudn't have while she was walking around. Good luck and keep us updated on how she is doing.

AWAaviatrix · 01-23-2008, 08:09 AM

Larigh Wrote:Unfortunaley I can't get her inside. Do you think if I get her a heat emmiter for the igloo instead of the heat lamp and leave it on during the day that would help? Or even, leaving the heat lamp on during the day so that inside is that 95-100 and if she wants to get away form the heat she can go into the backyard. I wish I could bring her in but we live in a 800-900 square foot home and there is just not enough room for her and all of us. Thanks for the help.

I'd leave the heat lamp on during the day to get the temp up and giver her something to bask under. She will move outside if she gets to warm. Keep offering the good greens or some squash. She also may have been fed a manufactured diet prior so you could try to offer that. If she goes more than a few weeks without eating or her weight drops more than 10% get her to a vet. One of my adoptees did the same thing after I got him. He had been treated for a RI at the rescue but it was still lingering and he needed another round of antibiotics.

Misty

Misty

***Josh*** · 01-23-2008, 12:00 PM

definitely keep us updated on this. its strange that your other sulcata is okay but this one is being stubborn. there's so many variables!

Larigh · 01-23-2008, 02:55 PM

Well, she decided to take a little nibble last night, not a whole lot but I guess beggars can't be choosers when it comes to eating and I have her light on now so things are looking up. I will keep you all updated and thanks again for all you help.
lari

jlyoncc1 · 01-23-2008, 03:32 PM

Glad to hear she took a bite!!!!!

aka2tal · 01-24-2008, 02:03 PM

Larigh,
I am in La Habra, and I have three Sulcatas. 7, 5 and 3 year olds. They live in a Large Igloo in the backyard. I mounted a piece of wood inside the Igloo (Flat Part Area) and mounted two ceramic lamps. One socket has a 150 W Heat Emitter, and the other socket has a UV Heat Light Bulb. It is all hooked up to a temperature controller. The power cord comes out of the roof vent and the roof vent is blocked off with duct tape. I got a Oregon Scientific Temperture Reader that is wireless at Frys Electronics The transmitter is in the Igloo and the Receiver is on teh wall by the back door. We can monitor the air temp. in the igloo. It records the lowest temp and the highest temp. I know the floor of the igloo gets colder, but the air temp inside the igloo is a constant 67 degrees or higher. During the day, it gets as high as 105 by the sun outside, but they are usually outside their house during the day. Ever since I set it up, they are in the Igloo every night on their own. They come out about 9 am and go in at sundown. Hope this helps.