Tom
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  • Is grass hay good to out in a baby sulcata enclosure or grass clippings from the lawn ? I feed him mustard greens , kale , bell pepper with sprinkle of calcium powder over each fresh serving. I have not tried flowers yet but have been seeing that 90% of their diet needs to be grass or hay .
    Hi Tom, can one use castor oil instead of mineral oil for a constipated Sulcata? Thanks!
    Tom
    Tom
    I have no experience with castor oil, so I don't have an answer for you. Mineral oil is fine.
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    Reactions: Rocki
    Hi Tom, my aldabra really likes black eyed peas. Is it best to feed them raw or boil them first?
    Tom
    Tom
    That is not a good food for them. Legumes are too high in protein to be a large percentage of the diet. What size tortoise? Where are you? What percentage of the diet are you making the peas? I don't think it matters much if you feed them raw or boiled.
    Tolis
    Tolis
    Ive been feeding leftovers around once a week. Usually Im giving the pod which they never eat then left over boiled legumes. They like them so much I figured I should cook more just for them or better feed it raw thats why I asked. I m pretty sure I read somewhere they were on the safe list, must have fallen victim to internet misinformation on that one. Tortoise is juvenile 3 pounds in Cyprus. Thanks for the advice!
    Hi Tom,
    I am starting to build an outdoor night time enclosure for my Sulcata (Sherman Tank), and the thread you had previously posted about your best night box yet has great text, but none of the images are showing up... is that something wrong on my end or has something happened to the post? I remember viewing it previously and would really appreciate that helpful starting point!

    TIA!
    H
    howardb
    Tom, Like others, I've tried to find your post "My best night box design yet," and I've discovered that what's available has no photos or dimensions. If you could send me a file, a link, or whatever's convenient for you, I'd appreciate it. Don't know if this is relevant: I can use SketchUp files (my version is 2017, I think). Thanks!
    B
    Becky7_RN
    I would love those pictures as well please :) Thank you!
    Tom
    Tom
    Hi Tom I have a yearling marginated I posted for about a week ago. I bought a glass terrarium like you recommended to help keep better control of the humidity. This terrarium is much taller than the box I was using so my 100w ceramic heating element is only getting the basking spot to about 86F. Should I move up to a 150w element? What element brands do you recommend?
    Tom
    Tom
    CHEs are for maintaining ambient temps, not for basking. There is not enough room here to answer. Make a thread on the forum and I can answer you more throughly.
    Scollins17
    Scollins17
    Ok I posted a thread and tagged you in it. First time trying to tag someone, so hopefully I did it right.
    Hi Tom. I have a Sulcata Tortoise. When l came out to check on him, he had a big chunk of reptibark in his mouth. I quickly took it out and made him drink water to pass it through if he ate anything. Yet he went back and took a piece again. I don't know what sudden behaviour this was. The substrate is ReptiBark. No, he doesn't have a red light. Please help.
    Tom
    Tom
    Too much to type here. Make a thread in the sulcata section and ask the forum. Tag me if you want. Include your temps, lighting, enclosure type and size, what you feed, etc...
    csheikh
    csheikh
    Ok
    Hi Tom, question about outdoor enclosure. I bought some pressure treated wood for enclosure walls. Is that safe for tortoises?
    Tom
    Tom
    Yes. Totally fine to use as walls for an outdoor pen.
    huaban
    huaban
    Cool thank you so much!
    Hi Tom do you have any albinos tortoises available or no of any one who do ? Cheers
    Tom
    Tom
    I do, but I can't ship to the UK.
    Hey Tom,

    What are the most reputable sources for adopting or purchasing tortoises?
    Tom
    Tom
    Varies by species. Depends on what you are looking for. Send me a private message and tell me what species you are after?
    Hi Tom,
    Nice to meet you! I just got my baby sulcata exactly 3 days ago. So I'm still a little bit confused about what requirement should I buy for my baby sulcata...
    Now I'm looking for a lamp for my sulcata, should I get a UVA or UVB lamp? or even both? and what number of watt do you prefer?
    G
    g.andinny
    ----However, I found these two lighting brand at my local stores : "Exoterra Daylight Basking Bulb" and "Exoterra Intense Basking Spot Bulb". If this sounds familiar to you, can you kindly tell me the differences between these two? and which one should I buy?

    Thankyou for answering Tom,
    have a nice day ahead
    Tom
    Tom
    G
    g.andinny
    Okay thankyou!
    Hi Tom I got a UVB question. I bought zoo med reptisun T5 HO straight tubes + fixture hood. It comes with 5.0 and 10.0 tubes. Which one should I use for me 3 months radiated tort? The enclosure height is about 12 inches. I do not have much opportunities to get him outside.
    Tom
    Tom
    5.0 tubes don't make much UV, so I'd go with the 10.0. You still need a meter to check the levels. You might have to adjust the height depending on what the meter says. I would only run t for 2-3 hours mid day.
    Hey Tom, I was wondering if you sell those baby tortoise enclosures you have, if not how did you make it? I’m trying to get my hatchling sulcata tortoise a high humidity enclosure and it’s difficult. I bought a greenhouse to put over it but I’m not going to use it because I fear the plastic will catch on fire. Thanks
    Tom
    Tom
    I buy them from @Markw84 or from Animal Plastics.
    Hey Tom, I liked the baby sulcata care guide you made.
    I was wondering do I really need any artificial uvb light in my enclosure? I would rather take my baby sulcata outside for an hour or two for the natural uvb instead.
    If I don’t take him outside, how long does artificial uvb light need to be used for?
    A
    Awakened Alex
    I live in San Diego, California and it’s always sunny how long do you recommend the baby sulcata being outside for daily? I was confused because people discord were saying you need artificial uvb in there enclosure for 8+ hours a day. Are they wrong? Because I would prefer my baby sulcata be outside for some of the day getting natural uvb
    Tom
    Tom
    Yes, they are wrong. Most of the tortoise info you find out in the world is wrong. My general rule is one hour of sunshine per inch of baby tortoise. 2 or 3 times per week is plenty. Be sure there is always shade available, and soak afterwards. Its no problem to skip a few weeks in winter.
    A
    Awakened Alex
    Ok thanks a lot!
    Hi Tom!
    This is not a tortoise related question, but how the heck do you survive the puppy biting phase? It’s been 15 years since I’ve had a puppy in my house and my arms and clothing are really taking a beating. I’ve become a human chew toy and it’s exhausting!
    F
    FrancescaP
    as a dog person, consistently discourage mouthing on your body or clothes and get a toy in between you and the puppy. Make the toy play fun, they will learn to bring you a toy for play, instead of using you.
    Tom
    Tom
    Dogs will do what you let them. Don't let him bit you and he'll stop. How best to stop this behavior varies with each dog and each situation. Bring in a professional trainer to meet you and your dog. Then they can help you come up with a plan that will work best for YOUR situation. I have a dozen ways to stop this behavior, but without meeting you and your pup, I don't know which one, or ones, would be best.
    Cicitina
    Cicitina
    We don’t let him bite, I usually make a noise when he does so he stops then offer him a toy. He just drops the toys and continues to go after my arms and clothing or even my hair. He is better today than yesterday so hopefully he’s picking it up
    Hey Tom! I was wondering which tortoise hatchlings you have and how shipping works? I was interested in a sulcata but am open to other suggestions. I am from Michigan and am ready for a new baby!
    A
    Alexolivia
    How do you think you’ll have them for? I’m very interested but want to make sure I have everything ready first. They are hatchlings right now?
    Tom
    Tom
    A
    Alexolivia
    Hey Tom, I think I am almost ready to order my tortoise from you. How much are the sulcatas and how regularly do you have hatchlings? How long does it take when shipping to Michigan? I’m deciphering between the sulcata and star. I already have your care sheet printed out and in the works!
    Hi Tom. I contacted you a little bit ago about your leopard babies. Have your PPs hatched yet?
    Tom
    Tom
    I've got a few hatched out. Ready in about a month.
    M
    MJanet
    That's great! I'm Janet and I live in IL and I would want one when the weather gets better. I am looking at Marks enclosures and I am wondering which one you would recommend. I am also wondering the price of your babies, shipping, etc.. Is there anywhere I can see pics? [email protected]
    Hey there! How do you think my Sulcata tort is doing? She has no pyramiding and weighs 640g at almost 8 months old. If she continues to gain the same amount she has been (about 21g a week) then she will be just over 1000g on her hatch-day. Is this too much? I have searched and haven't found a single Sulcata that weighs anywhere close to that much at her age.
    Tom
    Tom
    Sounds like your tortoise is doing fine. Lots of them reach that size at 12 months when they are properly started and well cared for. Most of them just aren't well started or properly cared for.
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