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pguinpro
Guest
Someone needs to tell them...
Serpentarium Citrus Heights, CA
Serpentarium Citrus Heights, CA
Your there, you need to speak up for those (tortoise) that can not speak for themselves.
Print out a copy of our care sheet and ask them if they will replace theirs with ours.
Print out a copy of our care sheet and ask them if they will replace theirs with ours.
Whats wrong this caresheet? Please explain
It says to only soak them once a week. They should be soaked daily.
It says they need low humidity. They need high humidity.
It says that you can keep them in a 20 to 40 gallon tank. That is way too small.
It's ok as far as it goes, however, soon as a sulcata is too big for a bird to carry off he needs to be set up in a yard outside, not a 40 gallon tank.
- They hatch at the start of the rainy season. Humidity should be 80+% all the time. 20% is likely to kill them.
- Babies need to be soaked daily. Every day. Once a week is likely to kill them.
- Lugarti bedding is a trade secret, but I think it has sand in it. Sand is likely to kill them. Fine grade orchid bark works best. Cypress mulch is okay. Coco coir won't hurt them but its very messy.
- Ambient temps should not drop below 80 day or night. 75 is a little too cool.
- Diet and water bowl info are good.
- Tank size is too small. They need room to move. Locomotion helps move things along the GI tract much like it does in a horse. I suggest at least a 40 for a tiny baby, and much larger after a month or two.
- This is a tropical species. They come from near the equator. Light cycle should be 12-13 hours. 10 hours is too short.
Tom,
The lugarti bedding was orginally made for tortoises. It is easily digestible, a great subtrate to grow plants, and it holds humidity much better then cypress mulch and coco coir. I have used this same bedding for my tortoises and other animals for years and never had any issues with it. My yearling sulcata has a perfect domed shell since it holds humidity very well. For box turtles, its even better. I highly recommend this product for all tortoise owners. This substrate is more naturalistic than cypress mulch. It seems like you never tried this product before. It’s fairly new to the market. Give it a shot!
The lugarti bedding was orginally made for tortoises. It is easily digestible, a great subtrate to grow plants, and it holds humidity much better then cypress mulch and coco coir. I have used this same bedding for my tortoises and other animals for years and never had any issues with it. My yearling sulcata has a perfect domed shell since it holds humidity very well. For box turtles, its even better. I highly recommend this product for all tortoise owners. This substrate is more naturalistic than cypress mulch. It seems like you never tried this product before. It’s fairly new to the market. Give it a shot!
i grow grass in mine as well!
I won't give it a shot until I know what is in it. It "appears" to have some soil and sand in it, both of which should never be used under tortoises. If they won't tell me what it is, I won't use it or recommend it. You can find lots of people who have used soil/sand combos for many years and haven't had a problem with it. My problem is that all the reptile vets I work and hang out with see sand impaction cases all the time. I once found some not-quite-fully-composted jacaranda leaves in a bag of soil I bought. Jacaranda is toxic and of course the tortoises were trying to eat it when I discovered it. I don't have any problem maintaining my desired humidity levels with any of the previously mentioned substrates, so I see no logical reason to take a risk with an unknown.
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pguinpro
Guest
I did [emoji28] and they seemed offended. They said they can't change it and that the owner is the one who made the cards...they wouldn't give me owners info but took my number down.Did you?
Good for you. If the response is negative, don't take it personally. Try and try again. Be persistent.
Minority2
Well-Known Member
The response from pet shop sales associates and owners will usually be negative. It's still good to go in and offer these people up to date information. You're most likely not going to change anyone's mind. You may, however, get them interested enough to learn more.
They don't put food on the dinner table if they don't sell their stock. Whether it be through deceit or withholding some pertinent information. This care sheet is actually better (though not completely accurate) than 90% of the retail pet stores.
This species as a whole is in a bad situation, almost RES like. It's a big, enthusiastic and powerful beast. But everybody falls in love with a hatchling. It would be interesting to know how many make it to 20 yrs of age let alone 10. I would think it's less than 3% and much less than 1% in northern states. They're going for $50 or less now, which makes it even worse. Yet breeders will continue to breed and sell as will the pet shops. Just my take, anyway.
This species as a whole is in a bad situation, almost RES like. It's a big, enthusiastic and powerful beast. But everybody falls in love with a hatchling. It would be interesting to know how many make it to 20 yrs of age let alone 10. I would think it's less than 3% and much less than 1% in northern states. They're going for $50 or less now, which makes it even worse. Yet breeders will continue to breed and sell as will the pet shops. Just my take, anyway.
I personally wouldnt call them beasts but I agree 100% with your thoughts. I wonder if Europe has this same issue?
Minority2
Well-Known Member
UK has the same issues as America. Many of the pet shops, rescues that double as retailers, breeders, and veterinarian services in the UK seem to give similar outdated advice such as dry conditions paired with recommending dry processed colored pellets as main all-in-one staples in diets.
I only can speak for Germany. Sulcata tortoises had been becoming common pets only a few years ago. The problem with too many adult sulcatas who needs to be rehomed is actually not so big in Germany. But I am sure in 10 years or less it will be a problem.
