Experiment... Has this been done already?

[FranklinAndTara]

Im curious if putting mud on my guys will help them stay hydrated and help them with their pyramiding. Ive read that in the wild baby sullys stay underground until they are 8'' ish. so if being in the ground keeps them moist, then packing mud on them should be quite helpful!
so... here's the idea
1. Soak them
2. Pack mud on their caprice
3. Leave it on them all day
4. Rinse in the morning
5. let them have an hour of unfiltered sun and repeat

I could use vitashell then put mud on them...

They love the mud! Its the cutest thing

Ive gotta get the kinks out and make a good plan.

My only problem is that I have no Control subject.

Im debating getting another sully (hatchling) just so i can see if I'm providing the correct care for my torts that are already pyramided.

 

[Tom]

Hey, if you just want another sulcata you didn't have to make up all that back story stuff. We all know how it is... hahahaha

We've talked about this before and the truth is, no one really knows what it would do, good or bad. I'm guessing the chemical composition of the mud might have an influence one way or the other too.

 

[jackrat]

Don't you think that after the mud dries out,it will draw moisture out of the shell? I realize they get muddy in the wild,but they walk around with a mudpack on their carapaces. Just my opinion.

 

[matt41gb]

I say let your tortoise be a tortoise. Provide a natural, stimulating environment and your tortoise will thrive.

-Matt

 

[dmmj]

I would imagine the mud would dry out pretty quickly IMHO, negating any benefits it may do. I would just provide a mud wallow for them and let them use it on their own. But it can't hurt to try it, I just don't see a benefit.

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

I like your thinking. Could you offer them a mud pit and let them choose to use it or not? That way you could see if this is something they would do on their own. I use vitashell but I never use it when the torts are going to be outside because I have heard it attracts ants.

 

[dmarcus]

let us know what you decided to do even if it's just getting a new Sulcata...lol

 

[FranklinAndTara]

haha.. thanks guys!
can Tom sell me a baby sully???
Can you teach it to attack on command before you send it to me?
I didnt think about the mud drying out. thats a good point.
as far as vitashell goes, my guys are outside all the time, I dont have a problem with ants or other bugs... somtimes a fly will land on them but nothing major.
so far today the mud has stayed moist, but its also super humid here.
I have seen new growth on them but on the caprice its too small to tell if its flat or not... hopefully it will be.
Tom, could i house a baby sully with these guys or is the size difference too big? mine are about 9'' long.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

I would imagine the mud would dry out pretty quickly IMHO, negating any benefits it may do. I would just provide a mud wallow for them and let them use it on their own. But it can't hurt to try it, I just don't see a benefit.

I'm thinking like you are...provide a good wallow and they'll use it when they want to.

 

[Angi]

Hmmmm....Mud does draw out moisture, but pigs seem to benifit from wallowing in it. Maybe the mud pit would work.

I always have to giggle when I picture the attack tortoise.

 

[Shelly]

I say let your tortoise be a tortoise. Provide a natural, stimulating environment and your tortoise will thrive.

Bingo.