I don’t know what to do, please help

aqualungs

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Ok thanks! I will try that! Your tort is adorable! It’s funny his name is Winston, that’s the name of my rabbit.

My wife named him.. I guess if he turns out to be a girl it’s Winnie. I’ve gotten most of my supplies from Walmart, their clay pots and saucers are really cheap. Anything else I got from a garden supply store but you should be able to find seeds at Walmart. I do believe as far as the wild mix with clover and all that fun stuff torts a feed store for farm animals?? I could be wrong and I’m currently researching that and haven’t done a search yet. I’m guessing everyone on here gets it from the tortoise supply and maybe someone can chime in.
 

Yvonne G

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The hay you buy at the pet store for rabbits is pretty old, dry and hard. Even sitting it in warm water to rehydrate it doesn't soften it enough for a young sulcata to be able to eat i t.
 

Jaid10

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My wife named him.. I guess if he turns out to be a girl it’s Winnie. I’ve gotten most of my supplies from Walmart, their clay pots and saucers are really cheap. Anything else I got from a garden supply store but you should be able to find seeds at Walmart. I do believe as far as the wild mix with clover and all that fun stuff torts a feed store for farm animals?? I could be wrong and I’m currently researching that and haven’t done a search yet. I’m guessing everyone on here gets it from the tortoise supply and maybe someone can chime in.
Ok! Thanks!
 

Jaid10

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The hay you buy at the pet store for rabbits is pretty old, dry and hard. Even sitting it in warm water to rehydrate it doesn't soften it enough for a young sulcata to be able to eat i t.
Ok, I won’t feed them that!
 

Tom

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Ok, I won’t feed them that!
If there is a feed store near you, maybe you could ask for some of the 'leavings" on the ground in exchange for sweeping up a bit when you are done. You can get a whole grocery bag off the ground from what falls off of the bales as they move them. Orchard grass hay and Bermuda hay work best. A little bit of alfalfa leaf mixed in won't hurt anything, but the stems are tough fro smaller sulcatas.

Hay is only for older, larger sulcatas. You'll have to do something else for the new baby.

If you use a calcium supplement that has D3 in it a couple of times a week, that will help get your tortoises through the cold weather with no sunshine or indoor UV.
 

Jaid10

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If there is a feed store near you, maybe you could ask for some of the 'leavings" on the ground in exchange for sweeping up a bit when you are done. You can get a whole grocery bag off the ground from what falls off of the bales as they move them. Orchard grass hay and Bermuda hay work best. A little bit of alfalfa leaf mixed in won't hurt anything, but the stems are tough fro smaller sulcatas.

Hay is only for older, larger sulcatas. You'll have to do something else for the new baby.

If you use a calcium supplement that has D3 in it a couple of times a week, that will help get your tortoises through the cold weather with no sunshine or indoor UV.
Ok! I will tell my parents. I do have a calcium supplement powder.
 

Jaid10

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If there is a feed store near you, maybe you could ask for some of the 'leavings" on the ground in exchange for sweeping up a bit when you are done. You can get a whole grocery bag off the ground from what falls off of the bales as they move them. Orchard grass hay and Bermuda hay work best. A little bit of alfalfa leaf mixed in won't hurt anything, but the stems are tough fro smaller sulcatas.

Hay is only for older, larger sulcatas. You'll have to do something else for the new baby.

If you use a calcium supplement that has D3 in it a couple of times a week, that will help get your tortoises through the cold weather with no sunshine or indoor UV.
I actually take horse back riding and I bet my riding instructor might let me have some, if I sweep up. I’m not sure what kind she uses but I’ll ask when I go there this week. I might go there, I might not. I’ve been having to go on and off recently.
 

Tom

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Ok! I will tell my parents. I do have a calcium supplement powder.
Look on the label and see it your supplement has D3 in it. Some do and some don't. Or post a pic of the label here.
 

AllieKat1997

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Okay, first of all, don’t feel bad! Everyone who has had animals at a young age has messed up! And if they haven’t, then they’re lying. I messed up countless of betta fish over the years, and some reptiles are NOT easy pets. I don’t know much about the African species since the Sulcua gets way too big for me to ever own, but I thought I’d tell you want I do for my Golden Greek, Lumos. First - the missuri food and the grassland diet - total fail. He hated it with a passion. My guess was that it was just too big for him or he just didn’t like the taste. I found instead Land Turtles and Tortoise by Zilla. I’m not sure if it’s okay for you Sulcua but looking for a different brand of food for your babies may not go amiss. Lumos loves the Land Turtles and Tortoise food whereas he refused to even look at the other types of food. Next I found Bites for Tortoises by nature zone. I think this one will work for Sulcua’s but definitely do some research and make sure. The Bites and Land Turtles and Tortosie pellets to help supplement his meal. The only unfortunate thing about these two items is that they could run out quickly for you. My Lumos nearly ate all the Bites within three weeks (I just ordered him more). I’m not sure how long it would last with two Sulcua’s, but it’s worth a try. I *think both costed around $8 on amazon. As for the rest I’d just prioritize a list for them. What’s the most important and want things can wait? I’d say the most important would probably be to get the Calcium powder, then the UVB lamp (I got the two dome one that has UVB on one side and a heat bulb on the other, but there is multiple options), after that I’d probably work on their diet, then their cages last. I’m no expert and you can make your own list of priorities but I *think mine is correct. Don’t beat yourself up over it, at six years old I’d have given my kid a hamster, not a reptile, but that’s a different argument I suppose, haha. OH! One last thing! Before I got Lumos I bought Tortoises A Beginner’s Guide to Tortoise Care by Andrew and Nadine Highfield. It goes over all tortoise care and the most common tortoise species. Perhaps if you showed your mom the book, or some YouTube videos of tortoise care, she’ll be a bit more understanding buying different vegetables for them. Sometimes hearing something from a “professional” works better than hearing it from a “kid” and sometimes it’ll just make it stick better. There is some controversy about Camp Kennan, a tortoise keeper on YouTube, but he’s mostly a great source for information. Fact checking people and resources is a way of life, so definitely fact check him and anyone else you look towards. Okay, sorry this is sooo long. Good luck!
 

Leesa

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Can you buy the pellet food on Amazon? If so, create an Amazon WISH LIST and share the name of it with us (maybe use Jaid10 since that's your name here so we easily make the connection). Then we can go to Amazon, look it up and purchase food there. Amazon ships it directly to you without sharing your name/address with us (privacy, especially since you are a minor). I'd be willing to do this to send you some food. I know it doesn't help with the greens and other fresh stuff you need, but hopefully helps you provide for them.
 

TechnoCheese

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Can you buy the pellet food on Amazon? If so, create an Amazon WISH LIST and share the name of it with us (maybe use Jaid10 since that's your name here so we easily make the connection). Then we can go to Amazon, look it up and purchase food there. Amazon ships it directly to you without sharing your name/address with us (privacy, especially since you are a minor). I'd be willing to do this to send you some food. I know it doesn't help with the greens and other fresh stuff you need, but hopefully helps you provide for them.

I would also be willing to make a small donation. I’ve been saving up for a ball python, and will probably have some money left over.
 

tortoisekev

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Really really don’t want to be that guy, and really really want to believe everything that’s been talked about here and think the support of all the members is so good.... but... just be careful.

As ever, I don’t mean to offend anyone, especially the OP, but I was reading through the post and was just waiting for “if you can just send £100 to this Western Union account...”.

Perhaps it’s that I work in IT Security that makes me cynical. I don’t want to put a dampener on any goodwill that comes from the forum members. But like I say, just be careful.

On the flip side, to the OP, well done for coming to the forum and getting help. It’s the absolute best thing you could have done. I did the same when I first got my tort and am very pleased I did. I really wish you the best, and apologise for be skeptical!
 
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Don't forget your neighbors hun! Ask if they spray their grasses with chemicals and if they don't im sure the next time they mow their lawn they wouldn't mind giving you the grass clippings. Maybe you cash earn extra money mowing their lawn AND you take home the scraps! And don't forget dandelions...they love dandelions and they are really good for them! If you see a weeds on their lawn I'm positive they wouldn't mind you asking if you can pull them for your tort. I know other members who have dehydrated dandelions and supplemented them for their winter feedings. Don't let anything healthy for them go to waste, always dry them out and you can crumble it up into their food when winter comes. Who knows....you may be able to start your own little business if your parents think you're old enough to mow your closest neighbors lawns, then you can feed your tort and make money to take care of them too
 

Toddrickfl1

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Really really don’t want to be that guy, and really really want to believe everything that’s been talked about here and think the support of all the members is so good.... but... just be careful.

As ever, I don’t mean to offend anyone, especially the OP, but I was reading through the post and was just waiting for “if you can just send £100 to this Western Union account...”.

Perhaps it’s that I work in IT Security that makes me cynical. I don’t want to put a dampener on any goodwill that comes from the forum members. But like I say, just be careful.

On the flip side, to the OP, well done for coming to the forum and getting help. It’s the absolute best thing you could have done. I did the same when I first got my tort and am very pleased I did. I really wish you the best, and apologise for be skeptical!
OP has been here posting for advice in the past and even built an outdoor enclosure for their Tort following suggestions from members here. They are definitely genuine. I understand what your saying though. The scams are becoming ridiculous these days though and there seems to be a lot of them involving torts
 

Jaid10

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Don't forget your neighbors hun! Ask if they spray their grasses with chemicals and if they don't im sure the next time they mow their lawn they wouldn't mind giving you the grass clippings. Maybe you cash earn extra money mowing their lawn AND you take home the scraps! And don't forget dandelions...they love dandelions and they are really good for them! If you see a weeds on their lawn I'm positive they wouldn't mind you asking if you can pull them for your tort. I know other members who have dehydrated dandelions and supplemented them for their winter feedings. Don't let anything healthy for them go to waste, always dry them out and you can crumble it up into their food when winter comes. Who knows....you may be able to start your own little business if your parents think you're old enough to mow your closest neighbors lawns, then you can feed your tort and make money to take care of them too
Sadly it’s winter here and covered in snow. but I will do that when spring comes. Thanks!
 

Jaid10

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Really really don’t want to be that guy, and really really want to believe everything that’s been talked about here and think the support of all the members is so good.... but... just be careful.

As ever, I don’t mean to offend anyone, especially the OP, but I was reading through the post and was just waiting for “if you can just send £100 to this Western Union account...”.

Perhaps it’s that I work in IT Security that makes me cynical. I don’t want to put a dampener on any goodwill that comes from the forum members. But like I say, just be careful.

On the flip side, to the OP, well done for coming to the forum and getting help. It’s the absolute best thing you could have done. I did the same when I first got my tort and am very pleased I did. I really wish you the best, and apologise for be skeptical!
I understand! I will be extremely careful! If I do end up giving away my address it will be to one member who works here and they’ll be able to get stuff from other members and send it to me.
 

Jaid10

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Thank you everyone for offering
Okay, first of all, don’t feel bad! Everyone who has had animals at a young age has messed up! And if they haven’t, then they’re lying. I messed up countless of betta fish over the years, and some reptiles are NOT easy pets. I don’t know much about the African species since the Sulcua gets way too big for me to ever own, but I thought I’d tell you want I do for my Golden Greek, Lumos. First - the missuri food and the grassland diet - total fail. He hated it with a passion. My guess was that it was just too big for him or he just didn’t like the taste. I found instead Land Turtles and Tortoise by Zilla. I’m not sure if it’s okay for you Sulcua but looking for a different brand of food for your babies may not go amiss. Lumos loves the Land Turtles and Tortoise food whereas he refused to even look at the other types of food. Next I found Bites for Tortoises by nature zone. I think this one will work for Sulcua’s but definitely do some research and make sure. The Bites and Land Turtles and Tortosie pellets to help supplement his meal. The only unfortunate thing about these two items is that they could run out quickly for you. My Lumos nearly ate all the Bites within three weeks (I just ordered him more). I’m not sure how long it would last with two Sulcua’s, but it’s worth a try. I *think both costed around $8 on amazon. As for the rest I’d just prioritize a list for them. What’s the most important and want things can wait? I’d say the most important would probably be to get the Calcium powder, then the UVB lamp (I got the two dome one that has UVB on one side and a heat bulb on the other, but there is multiple options), after that I’d probably work on their diet, then their cages last. I’m no expert and you can make your own list of priorities but I *think mine is correct. Don’t beat yourself up over it, at six years old I’d have given my kid a hamster, not a reptile, but that’s a different argument I suppose, haha. OH! One last thing! Before I got Lumos I bought Tortoises A Beginner’s Guide to Tortoise Care by Andrew and Nadine Highfield. It goes over all tortoise care and the most common tortoise species. Perhaps if you showed your mom the book, or some YouTube videos of tortoise care, she’ll be a bit more understanding buying different vegetables for them. Sometimes hearing something from a “professional” works better than hearing it from a “kid” and sometimes it’ll just make it stick better. There is some controversy about Camp Kennan, a tortoise keeper on YouTube, but he’s mostly a great source for information. Fact checking people and resources is a way of life, so definitely fact check him and anyone else you look towards. Okay, sorry this is sooo long. Good luck!
I am subscribed to camp kenon. I’ll show my parents some of his stuff. I will also look into the diet! Thank you so much!
 

Jaid10

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Can you buy the pellet food on Amazon? If so, create an Amazon WISH LIST and share the name of it with us (maybe use Jaid10 since that's your name here so we easily make the connection). Then we can go to Amazon, look it up and purchase food there. Amazon ships it directly to you without sharing your name/address with us (privacy, especially since you are a minor). I'd be willing to do this to send you some food. I know it doesn't help with the greens and other fresh stuff you need, but hopefully helps you provide for them.
That is an awesome idea! The only thing is that I never meant for this post to be a fundraiser. The only reason I asked for supplies is to see if you guys had anything extra that you’re not planning on using. I don’t want to make anyone spend extra money on this. The main reason I started this entire post is to get ideas.
 

tortoisekev

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OP has been here posting for advice in the past and even built an outdoor enclosure for their Tort following suggestions from members here. They are definitely genuine. I understand what your saying though. The scams are becoming ridiculous these days though and there seems to be a lot of them involving torts

Yes I had a look myself and yes, definitely genuine!

Appreciate not being attacked for saying something! It’s a shame we need to be so guarded and aware of scams.

Good luck to the OP. And you’re right to be careful yourself, especially as a kid. Good that you’re being so vigilant.
 
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