For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata...

[TechnoCheese]

Is lows in upper 60s too cold too

If the Sulcata in your profile picture is the one you’re talking about, then yes, it is WAY too cold. It’s a miracle that it hasn’t died or gotten a bad respiratory infection yet. It needs to be in an indoor enclosure, with temperatures never falling below 80 in the coldest part of the enclosure day and night.
Read these links-
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php...ealthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/
For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/
Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

 

[Tom]

Is lows in upper 60s too cold too

Yes. There is no "cold" where they come from. There are two seasons in Africa where sulcatas come from. The Hot season and the Hotter season.

I don't let mine drop below 80. In the past I used to let them get colder and they survived, but it isn't good for them and it isn't natural. 50s or 60s at night are fine for temperate species like russians or greeks that come from climates like ours, but sulcatas come from an area that is always warm or hot.

 

[mastershake]

i can say ours are doing amazing thanks to all the info here. all but the most tiniest bit of pyramiding is gone and they are growing like weeds lol. the shells are super smooth and they love to roam and graze and are so much more outgoing with us now. just wanted to say thank you for all the great info you guys have here!!

 

[kalei01]

i can say ours are doing amazing thanks to all the info here. all but the most tiniest bit of pyramiding is gone and they are growing like weeds lol. the shells are super smooth and they love to roam and graze and are so much more outgoing with us now. just wanted to say thank you for all the great info you guys have here!!

What type of hide should I use for outside that I can both heat for night time lows and keep outside 24/7

 

[Tom]

What type of hide should I use for outside that I can both heat for night time lows and keep outside 24/7

Once your sulcata reaches 8-10" in length, he can live outside full time with a heated night box. This will give him/her a safe place to sleep at night and proper warmth 24/7 regardless of the weather outside. Over many years I tried to use doghouses, deck boxes, sheds, doggloos, and I've watched other people try all sorts of things too. They simply don't work. Those things aren't designed for tortoises and even with lots of effort and modification, they don't work well for tortoises. I started designing and building my own. With each new box, I found ways to improve them. Here are two examples showing different ways to heat them:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/

You'll need to build something similar, or have one built for you.

 

[TechnoCheese]

What type of hide should I use for outside that I can both heat for night time lows and keep outside 24/7

You can’t keep him outside 24/7 at his age. You need an indoor enclosure until he is 8-10 inches.
Have you read these yet?
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php...ealthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/
For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/
Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

 

[kalei01]

You can’t keep him outside 24/7 at his age. You need an indoor enclosure until he is 8-10 inches.
Have you read these yet?
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php...ealthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/
For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/
Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

My new tortoise home

 

[kalei01]

My new tortoise home

My new tortoise home

 

[TechnoCheese]

My new tortoise homeView attachment 240158

You need an indoor enclosure. Outside will not work.

 

[kalei01]

You need an indoor enclosure. Outside will not work.

But he is pushing 5lbs and almost 8 inches long

 

[TechnoCheese]

But he is pushing 5lbs and almost 8 inches long

Ah, ok. I thought you were talking about the hatchling in your profile pic. The enclosure is nice, but do you have a heated nightbox for night?

 

[kalei01]

Ah, ok. I thought you were talking about the hatchling in your profile pic. The enclosure is nice, but do you have a heated nightbox for night?

Comes in at night for a heat tortoise table the profile picture needs updated

 

[TechnoCheese]

Comes in at night for a heat tortoise table the profile picture needs updated

Is the tortoise table inclosed? It’s very important to have humidity at night so that the tortoise does not pyramid, and gets the needed humidity.

 

[kalei01]

Is the tortoise table inclosed? It’s very important to have humidity at night so that the tortoise does not pyramid, and gets the needed humidity.

Yes sir his shell is smooth all the way around

 

[TechnoCheese]

Yes sir his shell is smooth all the way around

Ok, then it sounds great!

 

[kalei01]

Yes sir his shell is smooth all the way around

The humidity on the digital hydrometer says 99% where condensation builds on top of plexiglas also temps are from 80-90 degrees F

 

[TechnoCheese]

The humidity on the digital hydrometer says 99% where condensation builds on top of plexiglas also temps are from 80-90 degrees F

Sounds perfect!

 

[daniellenc]

The humidity on the digital hydrometer says 99% where condensation builds on top of plexiglas also temps are from 80-90 degrees F

That’s perfect!

 

[kalei01]

That’s perfect!

Next question what to do with them while I am gone for a week

 

[Tom]

Next question what to do with them while I am gone for a week

Leave it in its indoor enclosure with lights on timers and night heat on a thermostat.
Best case is to have someone come over and do the food and water daily. If you trust them, show them how to do the soak and have them do every other day.