Recently I noticed a place on top of my Sulcata’s (Toki’s) shell that looks like it got broken off. I can’t remember anything happening to him that would cause this. Is this something that will spread? What can I do to help him?
This is a picture from Jan. 16, 2023 when I first saw the broken...
When we built our fence and gate, we added long paver stones into the ground (about 15 or 16 inches deep). We covered them with dirt, so we don’t even see it. There is one corner in the back of the yard where our Sulcata tried to dig, and he only made it 1/4-1/2 of the way down the paver before...
I have been trying to soak my Sulcata, Toki, regularly. He really doesn’t seem to like it, since he is constantly trying to climb out during the soak. I’ve continued soaking anyway, as advised on this site. However, recently, I noticed that he stays up on the wall of the bin in a way that rests...
When we originally set up our yard, we started with a siding plank that looked smoother, which we put up against our permanent fencing. There is almost no sign of wear, except for on one board that was originally used in an area that our tort could see underneath. In that spot he tried to dig...
This is the siding we used from Home Depot. One side is already painted. The Home Depot guy said we should NOT need to paint the other side, and thought it should hold up for 5-10 years or more without paint—which seems about right for our size tort. Everything is expensive right now. We cut...
We recently had to add fencing to our yard so we could keep our Sulcata off the cement. Here’s our solution for now. So far it’s worked perfectly. It’s wooden posts on either side of hardiplank siding (8ft. X 16 in. Siding). The posts are positioned so that we slide the planks between the posts...
Just a follow up. We have managed to build a fence around the entire yard to block off all of the cement. I’ve been soaking and monitoring Toki’s feet, and while the nails do seem worn down still, I can see that he is healing, and not making new sores on his feet. Hopefully this is a good sign...
Yes, we have thought about pond Shield, but it didn’t seem to work with the whole idea. I’ve thought about dampening the dirt, but you’re right, electricity and water don’t mix.
😂 Yeah, we made the door size for the long haul. Good idea with the L shape. Heat and humidity would be the same...
This looks great! I love that Mary Knobbins will go inside and “swim”. We have a water heater pan available to Toki at all times. But he has never once stepped in it or drank from it to my knowledge. I’ve even floated his favorite flowers in there and he ignores it. How did you get yours to...
Thanks for the ideas! (I confirmed with my husband that our thermometer is inside the Tupperware box, but the hygrometer is on the wall out of reach inside the house not in the box.)
We’ve been using a digital thermometer that tracks the temperature and the humidity. It’s all encased in a Tupperware on the wall in the house. It has never gotten wet to my knowledge. We leave the house door open during the day, and close the door at night. Heater stays on all day. (When...
We made one of @Tom ‘s outdoor enclosures for our Sulcata, Toki. It has worked wonderfully all winter, keeping things warm and safe. The wood floor is covered with dirt from the yard. It has a pig mat for heat on the bottom, and the warmer on top. We have set up water containers towards the top...
Thank you for the info. I hadn't thought about the sun and mats.
Last night we temporarily barricaded most of the cement patio (especially his pacing area), and we have some ideas for a more permanent fence to block all of the cement. Looks like we have a Saturday project!
Poor Toki. We’ll definitely do something to fix the problem with the cement. In the meantime, how should I treat his feet so they can heal properly? Will the nails grow back?
We have a large yard full of grass and weeds and other plants for our Sulcata, Toki, to graze in. We also have a large gated enclosure in the back corner for him which contains his heated house. We open the gate for him to enjoy the whole yard everyday.
Recently we put in an extended cement...