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  1. Jules321

    What temp can burn your tortoise from a heat lamp?

    Thanks all for the input everyone! They are che bulbs. I do have a side mounted heat mat in the corner where he sleeps. The bulb is at the entrance of the hide so throughout the night he is about 2-3 ft depending on the orientation he chooses to sleep in. His actual "sleep box" is pretty small...
  2. Jules321

    What temp can burn your tortoise from a heat lamp?

    Does anyone know the temperature that tortoises can burn from a heat lamp? I am very aware that heat lamp doesn't cover his entire body so he will stay under it even if he is getting too hot at the closest contact point if parts of his body are still colder. But I don't know where that limit...
  3. Jules321

    PLEASE HELP!!!! (shell problem)

    Once adults like yours, 40% humidity is good, so in general you dont need to try to create or change it.
  4. Jules321

    PLEASE HELP!!!! (shell problem)

    That looks great! The ground itself is cooler and will retain more moisture, if you can enclose the covered space (bring the walls all the way up) and move it to the ground the space would be able to be cooler for him. Or try a few inches of dirt so he can nestle into it.
  5. Jules321

    PLEASE HELP!!!! (shell problem)

    Trying the picture again...
  6. Jules321

    PLEASE HELP!!!! (shell problem)

    My sulcata has done really well in Phoenix for the last 20 years, we had to stop him from burrowing about 8 years ago after an incident where he got trapped in his burrow for 4 days. He doesn't need a burrow but he does need a covered space that can feel like a burrow (I added a picture of what...
  7. Jules321

    My 1 1/2 year old Sulcata has red swollen eye.

    Based on what mark said maybe do more research on the lights- I'd hate to have given you wrong info! Especially since what happened to the box turtle looked different from these pictures. More like his eyes were swollen shut but no redness.
  8. Jules321

    My 1 1/2 year old Sulcata has red swollen eye.

    Interesting-is that different for box turtles vs tortoises? The vet was the one that said it was lack of uv.
  9. Jules321

    My 1 1/2 year old Sulcata has red swollen eye.

    I haven't seen this in my sulcata but when it happened to a baby box turtle my mom had it was because the turtle wasn't getting enough uv. Lamps often lose their uv after about 6 months but is easy to forget to change them since the light bulb still works. By the time its causing swollen eyes...
  10. Jules321

    Color

    Lol I remember not having any idea what was happening the first time I saw my tortoise flashing...and this was a good 15 years ago when it was normal to only use books for reference. Quite scary when you aren't expecting it!
  11. Jules321

    Getting your tortoise to trust you...

    Awww that's so sad-Im happy he is doing better. I would say what I hand feed is less than 10% of his total food intake. I think everything else I mentioned -just being consistent, patient, and slow is the most important in getting a tortoise to trust.
  12. Jules321

    Getting your tortoise to trust you...

    Yes if you hand feed be very careful and very picky about when. I only hold on to the food if the part hes biting is at least a few inches away (carrots or a long weed for example). Then make a pile of the stuff that's too small to hold safely. The tortoise can't see or control where the food...
  13. Jules321

    Is boiled pine bark safe?

    You say young tortoises-is there anything that shows pine is safe for older tortoises? I haven't seen a distinction relative to age in my searches. I dont plan on giving it to Duster (age 20) but I've been a bit stressed about the amount of pine in my neighborhood. I was thinking I should avoid...
  14. Jules321

    Getting your tortoise to trust you...

    Hand feeding helps. I'm also very careful to never make quick motions near(1 to 2 ft away) my tortoise and if I plan to physically interact with him I greet him with my voice and by offering my hand to his nose so he can smell me. I like to make sure he knows it's me. I think the routine also...
  15. Jules321

    Wannabe New Tortoise Mom in Wisconsin needs advice (Introduction)

    what tortoise did you go with? I have a coworker that has lived in Wisconsin for years with his Russian Tortoise
  16. Jules321

    Help please! New, I have a Tortoise moving in!

    Mayra - That's so awesome of you to take in B-Mo! Sulcatas can be very rewarding if you spend the time to care for them. Sulcatas need mostly grass and hay for their diet but can and will also eat most veggies/fruit that you are likely tossing in the trash as you prep food for yourself. I give...
  17. Jules321

    Moving to Michigan

    Thank Yvonne! I have no doubts Duster could do the below picture if he gets restless! I am nervous the 12x12 is small for when he will be completely confided to it (winter) but it's what we can afford for a space where he can still get some natural UV. I work from home and my office will be...
  18. Jules321

    Moving to Michigan

    Hello all! I'm Jules and I've been a turtle and tortoise lover all my life. I grew up in Phoenix Arizona and got my first Sulcata, Chomper, from petsmart when I was in third grade. My mom sat me down and made sure I understood the lifelong commitment of a sulcata. 2 yrs later my mom and her...
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