Meet Stella the Sulcata

Stuart S.

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We went to our first reptile show today, met a local breeder and was really impressed with him and his inventory and so we came away with a (hopefully) future girlfriend for Spur. We weren’t planning on getting another Sulcata but the stars aligned and my wife suggested we get another. She didn’t have to pull my leg too hard. We were excited to add to the family today. IMG_0989.jpgIMG_0984.jpgIMG_0975.jpg
 

Jay Bagley

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Yes, that and hopefully Spur ends up being a male too lol Supposedly Stella was temped to be a female but I honestly don’t know how accurate that is... we’re happy either way!
Heck yeah, if Stella ends up looking anything Spur, you're going to have two gorgeous tortoises.
 

CarolM

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We went to our first reptile show today, met a local breeder and was really impressed with him and his inventory and so we came away with a (hopefully) future girlfriend for Spur. We weren’t planning on getting another Sulcata but the stars aligned and my wife suggested we get another. She didn’t have to pull my leg too hard. We were excited to add to the family today. View attachment 242928View attachment 242929View attachment 242930
Congratulations. Such a cute little one.
 

Stuart S.

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IMG_1004.jpg

This will be Stella’s initial weight for monthly weigh in.

6/24/18: 32g

I can’t believe she’s only 32g, she’s tiny. I’m guessing she’s 3-4 weeks old but I could be wrong. She seems perfect healthy, eats everything and has perfect scutes, with no pyramiding. We’re going to do our best to keep her beautiful. IMG_1011.jpgIMG_1001.jpgIMG_1002.jpgIMG_0976.jpgIMG_1024.jpg
 

Stuart S.

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Stella vs Spur day 1 IMG_0999.jpg

Spur on the left was 49 grams and Stella on the right, 32 grams.
 

Tom

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I really debated whether to just keep quiet, or speak up. The last round of pics made me decide to speak up. I don't want to alarm you or bum you out, but I do want you to be forewarned about what you've got there.

That baby was started dry, and its really small for its age. See the way the umbilical scar looks? Thats what happens when you take them out of the incubator and put them into a dry enclosure instead of a brooder box. By 7-10 days after hatching, there should be no sign of the umbilical scar. By 3-4 weeks the baby should have gained considerable size. They hatch at around 35 grams. I just hatched one today that was 38 grams after I rinsed it off directly out of the incubator and before its first soak. 39 grams after its soak. I'll post pics of the umbilical area over the next few days to demonstrate what I'm talking about. This little guy pipped on Friday and "hatched" today. This is literally day one in the brooder box:
IMG_5995.JPG
Over the next few days, you will see this close up and disappear. Compare this to yours.

If that baby just hatched in the last few days, it shouldn't have been sold yet. If it truly hatched 3-4 weeks ago, then it should be much bigger. They should be around 50-60 grams at 4 weeks old.

My purpose in pointing this out is so that you, and anyone reading can learn about how they should be started and what happens when they aren't started correctly. I'd also like to know what was impressive about this breeder? Did he tell you that he soaks them daily and starts them in warm humid enclosures on damp substrate? Help me and everyone else learn and understand.

Congrats on the new baby, and I sincerely hope that everything works out great!
 

Stuart S.

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I really debated whether to just keep quiet, or speak up. The last round of pics made me decide to speak up. I don't want to alarm you or bum you out, but I do want you to be forewarned about what you've got there.

That baby was started dry, and its really small for its age. See the way the umbilical scar looks? Thats what happens when you take them out of the incubator and put them into a dry enclosure instead of a brooder box. By 7-10 days after hatching, there should be no sign of the umbilical scar. By 3-4 weeks the baby should have gained considerable size. They hatch at around 35 grams. I just hatched one today that was 38 grams after I rinsed it off directly out of the incubator and before its first soak. 39 grams after its soak. I'll post pics of the umbilical area over the next few days to demonstrate what I'm talking about. This little guy pipped on Friday and "hatched" today. This is literally day one in the brooder box:
View attachment 243095
Over the next few days, you will see this close up and disappear. Compare this to yours.

If that baby just hatched in the last few days, it shouldn't have been sold yet. If it truly hatched 3-4 weeks ago, then it should be much bigger. They should be around 50-60 grams at 4 weeks old.

My purpose in pointing this out is so that you, and anyone reading can learn about how they should be started and what happens when they aren't started correctly. I'd also like to know what was impressive about this breeder? Did he tell you that he soaks them daily and starts them in warm humid enclosures on damp substrate? Help me and everyone else learn and understand.

Congrats on the new baby, and I sincerely hope that everything works out great!

Well crap.. I really appreciate the post Tom, I honestly just was sold the impression that she was small, she was the smallest in the clutch that we picked from and yes I was sold that she was started off right, in a humid hatchling enclosure. And I bought it, my mistake obviously. I’ll be giving this guy a call to get some truth out of the situation... I really do appreciate the help, I in no way claim to know as much as I should and this is definitely just a learning situation for me..

Given the size of this baby and everything you just told me Tom, I’m going to say that she’s only a few days old, which is frustrating, but it makes perfect sense with her size and shape..

If she is only a few days old, what are some things I need to be on the lookout for and precautions I need to take?

Again, I do appreciate the post and I’m all for being transparent especially if others can learn from my mistakes.
 

Tom

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Well crap.. I really appreciate the post Tom, I honestly just was sold the impression that she was small, she was the smallest in the clutch that we picked from and yes I was sold that she was started off right, in a humid hatchling enclosure. And I bought it, my mistake obviously. I’ll be giving this guy a call to get some truth out of the situation... I really do appreciate the help, I in no way claim to know as much as I should and this is definitely just a learning situation for me..

Given the size of this baby and everything you just told me Tom, I’m going to say that she’s only a few days old, which is frustrating, but it makes perfect sense with her size and shape..

If she is only a few days old, what are some things I need to be on the lookout for and precautions I need to take?

Again, I do appreciate the post and I’m all for being transparent especially if others can learn from my mistakes.

The key for little ones is hydration. Soak every day, and limit outside time to no more than an hour a few times a week. Keep them mostly in their warm humid indoor enclosure with damp substrate and a humid hide.

Other than that, feed a wide variety of good stuff, wait, and hope for the best.

If its okay with you, I'll keep posting updated pics of what the umbilical scar looks like on one that has been started in a humid brooder box for 7-10 days before being moved to an enclosure. I think this is one obvious clue that a potential buyer can look at to determine how old a baby might be, and what kind of start in life it might have had.

And don't worry too much. If this breeder really did use a humid enclosure and soaked more than once a week, your baby is likely to be fine and grow up healthy with your good care. I just wanted you and others to be aware of the potential perils and pitfalls of buying at a show, and what signs to look for in a new baby.
 

Stuart S.

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The key for little ones is hydration. Soak every day, and limit outside time to no more than an hour a few times a week. Keep them mostly in their warm humid indoor enclosure with damp substrate and a humid hide.

Other than that, feed a wide variety of good stuff, wait, and hope for the best.

If its okay with you, I'll keep posting updated pics of what the umbilical scar looks like on one that has been started in a humid brooder box for 7-10 days before being moved to an enclosure. I think this is one obvious clue that a potential buyer can look at to determine how old a baby might be, and what kind of start in life it might have had.

And don't worry too much. If this breeder really did use a humid enclosure and soaked more than once a week, your baby is likely to be fine and grow up healthy with your good care. I just wanted you and others to be aware of the potential perils and pitfalls of buying at a show, and what signs to look for in a new baby.

Thank you very much, she’s set up in her indoor humid enclosure with all the above, I do have it very humid with all the correct lights, I’ll be sure to soak her extra everyday just to help.

Of course that’s fine, I’ll do the same with our baby and we’ll see how it progresses and heals.

He definitely had all the right words to say to make a sale, we’re still happy with our little one and I know I can give her the care she needs to survive, we have everything she needs. I just don’t want to miss anything due to me already messing up on the initial step...

I’ll post pictures of her plastron every couple of days.
 

KarenSoCal

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Stuart, from reading these last few posts, it seems to me that it's good if she is only a few days old.
She's in your care now, you are aware of what needs to be done, you have everything you need, and you have the expert guidance of Tom! If she was a month old, and the breeder did not do things correctly, he would have had more time to do damage to her.
I am praying for your baby, and you and your family. I believe with all my heart that she will be a healthy, happy, havoc-wreaking girl in a few years!
 

Stuart S.

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Stuart, from reading these last few posts, it seems to me that it's good if she is only a few days old.
She's in your care now, you are aware of what needs to be done, you have everything you need, and you have the expert guidance of Tom! If she was a month old, and the breeder did not do things correctly, he would have had more time to do damage to her.
I am praying for your baby, and you and your family. I believe with all my heart that she will be a healthy, happy, havoc-wreaking girl in a few years!

Thank you Ms. Karen, I fully agree with you, after looking at her intently, it’s quite obvious. I should have been more intentional but we’ll do everything we can to keep her moving forward. I’m very optimistic, she’s a very lively little thing and seems to be doing great. I’ll continue to do as advised and I’ll be soaking her 2-3 times a day totally 1.5-2hrs. IMG_1030.jpg
 
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