LunaPhases15
New Member
Hi everyone! I picked up my baby Sulcata on Monday. They were hatched on April 29. We’ve decided to name it Groot (thought it would be cute for a boy or a girl)
I made sure Groot has all the right things. Coco fiber bedding, UVB 10.0 tube light, a nice hide, access to a nice, shallow water dish. Also constant access to spring mix, collard greens and Arcadia freshly pressed tortious food. I have a heating pad under the tank where the hut is. I’ve now got the temp pretty consistently staying right around 80°F (give or take a few) and humidity around 80% as well. (Thank goodness for an old mister I had lying around) Groot is pretty antisocial right now and when feeding I have to put a blanket over the hut or else he is hiding. I only mess with him about and hour or 2 because I read they sleep a bunch as hatchlings.
I just had a few questions about him. By no means am I asking for medical advice, as I have an appointment with a local exotic vet tomorrow, but I’m just curious what you guys think.
1. I think he’s dehydrated. The person I got him from wasn’t the breeder. From my understanding, they have other reptiles and I’m assuming traded a different animal for Groot and few clutch-mates. The picture I was sent of him was over a smaller tank that looked to be kept outside (that’s solely an assumption) but the skin around his neck seams to be a pretty wrinkled. I haven’t totally witnessed him take more than three or four gulps of water since I got him home.
2. I’ll link a pic but I’m concerned about this spot right above his ear. Does this look like an abscess? I can’t really tell but I think maybe it’s gotten slightly bigger since I brought him home. I didn’t notice it at first (pics I was sent were of the opposite side of him and when I got him, he wouldn’t come out of his shell before I left the seller)
3. The picture isn’t the best at showing what I’m talking about but there are a few white spots on his shell I’m worried about. His shell is hard and strong, so I’m thinking maybe just some scratches from the clutch mates.
4. Groot also hasn’t pooped yet that I’ve seen (I’ve been looking ) and I’ve been soaking 20-40 minutes a day in the morning.
Any and all advice is welcomed! Thanks so much for this awesome platform! I have learned so much already from you guys!
I made sure Groot has all the right things. Coco fiber bedding, UVB 10.0 tube light, a nice hide, access to a nice, shallow water dish. Also constant access to spring mix, collard greens and Arcadia freshly pressed tortious food. I have a heating pad under the tank where the hut is. I’ve now got the temp pretty consistently staying right around 80°F (give or take a few) and humidity around 80% as well. (Thank goodness for an old mister I had lying around) Groot is pretty antisocial right now and when feeding I have to put a blanket over the hut or else he is hiding. I only mess with him about and hour or 2 because I read they sleep a bunch as hatchlings.
I just had a few questions about him. By no means am I asking for medical advice, as I have an appointment with a local exotic vet tomorrow, but I’m just curious what you guys think.
1. I think he’s dehydrated. The person I got him from wasn’t the breeder. From my understanding, they have other reptiles and I’m assuming traded a different animal for Groot and few clutch-mates. The picture I was sent of him was over a smaller tank that looked to be kept outside (that’s solely an assumption) but the skin around his neck seams to be a pretty wrinkled. I haven’t totally witnessed him take more than three or four gulps of water since I got him home.
2. I’ll link a pic but I’m concerned about this spot right above his ear. Does this look like an abscess? I can’t really tell but I think maybe it’s gotten slightly bigger since I brought him home. I didn’t notice it at first (pics I was sent were of the opposite side of him and when I got him, he wouldn’t come out of his shell before I left the seller)
3. The picture isn’t the best at showing what I’m talking about but there are a few white spots on his shell I’m worried about. His shell is hard and strong, so I’m thinking maybe just some scratches from the clutch mates.
4. Groot also hasn’t pooped yet that I’ve seen (I’ve been looking ) and I’ve been soaking 20-40 minutes a day in the morning.
Any and all advice is welcomed! Thanks so much for this awesome platform! I have learned so much already from you guys!