Hello From NC

[Logan487]

Figured Id just post for now, going on about 3 months and Im still working on names...


Outside of the enclosure I built for them.


Inside view of the enclosure with both hatchlings


Larger of the two


Larger of the two again


The smaller one.


Another outside shot.

I know for now its sorta well....huge for thier size but its better than the 4' x 6' I wanted to make for thier first year my wife talked me out of.

 

[ascott]

Welcome welcome welcome....I am freaking out here your babies are adorable.....as well as surrounded by too much sand....I see the sand in their water and in their food (not the calcium powder)....okay so that was my freak out, now may I make a suggestion

Please research a great deal on what hazards are present when you house a tortoise on a sand substrate, and in this case the sand is the substrate everywhere.....I know that on some sites sand combo is recommended, but I do not see any benefits at all....these guys really need something that will retain some humidity and also something that they can settle into and I see that there is only the one hide in view....I would use something that is a bit bigger and has a snugger opening and a better dark hide area in it?

Your babies are beautiful and outside of the sand and the hide, AWESOME....oh, I would add a couple of potted plants for "shade" and hide and humidity as when you water "wala humidity"

 

[Yvonne G]

That's nice, Logan. I like everything except the sand. I know a lot of people use it, but I've seen radiographs of impacted babies from being on sand mixtures and I'd never chance it with my babies.

 

[dmarcus]

Hello and welcome to the forum.
Get rid of the sand it will only cause your tortoises problems if they eat it, and like Angela said you can see the sand in there water and in there food so they are also eating it. Sand causes impaction and that can be fatal to tortoises...

 

[Logan487]

Thanks for the suggestions, I literaly changed substrate about 7 times cause every time I researched it I found out something else so I went with the low impact mix and just like you pointed out I quickly found the 'micro climates' it claims the mix will do doesnt happen at all lol. As far as humidity its ok? I read to soak them but then also read sites saying spur thigh babies can get a lung infection so I was nervous about it lol. I saw potting soil as a suggestion, If I found one without the styrofoam beads would that be better, or maybe a topsoil? Any suggestions you have I would love because everytime I research I find conflicting info. Other problem of course is the wifes cat until I get the lid finished, danged thing chews up everything plant related x.x

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As far as the 'sand' on the food, thats a vitamin powder, any suggestion other than the herptavite repcal makes? Ive noticed when I sprinkle it on the food they dont seem as intrested as when I dont. =\

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Logan:

Your baby is not a spur thigh. That designation is limited to Greek tortoises.

Sulcatas are sometimes referred to as African spurred tortoise, but not spur thigh.

Its perfectly fine to keep him on moist substrate. As long as he doesn't get cold it won't bother his lungs at all.

 

[dmarcus]

Top soil would be better that potting soil. As long as you keep there temps up you can soak them once a day with no problems..

 

[Logan487]

Hi Logan:

Your baby is not a spur thigh. That designation is limited to Greek tortoises.

Sulcatas are sometimes referred to as African spurred tortoise, but not spur thigh.

Its perfectly fine to keep him on moist substrate. As long as he doesn't get cold it won't bother his lungs at all.

Thank you, you have no clue how much that has made my day better finaly having a definite awnser on this...

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So what about pea gravel?...

....Kidding.

 

[ascott]

I think you have cordially been introduced to "crazytown" LOL....when we first (as well as later in time) begin to care for something new we second guess everything we do...perfectly normal. Here is what I think (and again, keep in mind I do not house any tortoise indoors, this is strictly my opinion, okay :shy: )

A tortoise requires very basic needs, then a few for fun/enrichment;
require a safe and, as best we can do, secure space
require food, as varied as we humans can possibly dream up
require a place to snug in and feel safe to rest comfortably
(as the less busy-ness forced on them, in my opinion the better)
require water, soaking is fine and should be encouraged
require a good flow of fresh air, as they can produce some crazy bacteria
are natural creatures that muck around in the earth, need a place to dig in and create pallets and burrows/hides
require a human/slave crazy enough to take on the challenge

I personally think that a substrate made up of good ole fashion dirt/organic pesticide herbicide peoplefunkitupcide free is the best. Again, my opinion.

Read read read and then read and research some more.....this is the key along with asking any question you would like some feed back on from this forum...as this forum I have found has some very candid, friendly, spunky people with some experience to offer opinions from.....

Along with the crazy comes the calm and fun and sometimes when you think you finally "got it right" you see something that makes you go, ahhhhh crap, that did not work out like I wanted it to...

 

[Logan487]

Crazytown for sure lol. Also sorry about posting this in enclosures, i thought i had clicked introductions but i guess i didnt lol.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Welcome.

 

[FranklinTturtle]

Hey North Carolina. You are lucky to find this form when you did. I join last month my Franklin T. is now 2 1/2 years old. I did all the wrong things. Also, I wanted to let you know that I am from Myrtle Beach SC. There is not alot of Tortoise owners here that I know of. Great Enclosure Franklin T. would be so jealous.