Howard (Sulcata Hatchling)

[Nicaver]

Hello all! I am the pround new mommy of a Sulcata. He has been doing well he sleeps a lot!! I believe he is about 3 mos and soaks daily, loves being outside I take him out about an hour each day. The only thing that concerns me is his eating while outside he grazes a little, first couple days he ate well but now he seems not to be interested in anything i am giving him. I have offered him Romaine, hibiscus leaves, grass, organic spring mix- what else can I try? How much do they usually eat? he has been popping regularly while I soak him.

 

[cemmons12]

Welcome to the forum. You should read these threads that are from Tom. http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Begi...z1tFmWpjdi
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Help...z1s7KwW130
Good luck!

 

[pam]

Welcome.

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome.

The appetite dropping off can sometimes be an indicator of a problem. All of the care info you listed sounds good, but more info will help. Where are you? Does he have some shade available outside? What is the indoor set up like? What are your four temps? Warm side, cool side, basking spot and night? Many people make the mistake of letting baby sulcatas get too cool at night. A cool down at night is excellent for some species, but not for hatchling sulcatas.

 

[Nicaver]

We are in California. Set up is indoors temp stays at about 80 to 90 has a cool spot that goes to 70-75. Basking area gets up to 90. Outdoors has a lot of shade for him. I am making a humidity box as we speak!

 

[Nicaver]

Welcome to the forum. You should read these threads that are from Tom. http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Begi...z1tFmWpjdi
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Help...z1s7KwW130
Good luck!

Thank you! I've been reading everything I could get my hands on. Just seems on many things there are so many opinions

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Welcome!

 

[Jacqui]

Just seems on many things there are so many opinions

Welcome! That is so very true, mainly because there is no one right way to do anything for these special creatures. You just need to read, decide what sounds the best to you, implement it, and see if it works for you, your tortoise, and your situation. It normally takes some tweaking to find just the right combination that works best.

 

[cemmons12]

Hello and welcome.

The appetite dropping off can sometimes be an indicator of a problem. All of the care info you listed sounds good, but more info will help. Where are you? Does he have some shade available outside? What is the indoor set up like? What are your four temps? Warm side, cool side, basking spot and night? Many people make the mistake of letting baby sulcatas get too cool at night. A cool down at night is excellent for some species, but not for hatchling sulcatas.

Thats so true! My night cool temps led to Cooper getting his 1st and only URI when he was around 6 months old I believe. Very stressful time for him and me. Thanks God for the great people on here that told me what to do in order to save his life and get him back to good health!

 

[Nicaver]

How can you tell if he has a Uri? And if so what is the next step.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Nicaver:

Welcome!

 

[TORTOISEMAN1]

Welcome!

 

[Laura]

URI, he would have a nasal discharge, maybe runny eyes. and if bad, go off his food...

 

[kanalomele]

Welcome to TFO!

 

[Nicaver]

Thanks everyone Howard is doing good . He loves his humidity box and is a lot more active.