Hi, I'm new here, and since reading through the forum for a few days, I'm a little worried for my Sulcata.
I purchased my baby Sulcata, Bowser less than a year ago. I had done days and days of research on Sulcata care and was determined to do everything properly. The problem is that I am just now finding out that almost all of the care sheets I had based my setup on were far from appropriate. I was told that repti bark was an appropriate substrate, that they should be kept in a very dry environment, I was given inadequate lighting and food....I basically did everything wrong. I'll attach a pic of my initial setup.
View attachment 16202
Since that time I continued to do my research and have since changed my entire setup. He is now in a 40 gallon breeder tank (until I finish his new enclosure) with topsoil and orchid bark as substrate. He has a humid hide and a water dish now, as well as a small patch of bermuda grass. His enclosure temps are 80 at one and and about 90 at the other, with a basking spot of 95. He now has a mercury vapor bulb, and gets outdoor sunlight at least twice a week. I soak and mist him daily, and try to keep his home as humid as possible (this will be easier with my new enclosure) He gets a mixed diet of finely chopped cactus pads, bermuda grasses, mazuri, spring mix, and an occasional teaspoon of pumpkin puree. Is there anything that I'm missing or should/shouldn't be doing?
Anyway, after reading though several posts, it seems that a Sulcatas overall well being is established within the first year. While I am determined to keep him in optimal conditions now that I am better educated, have I already ruined his chances? Will he end up being pyramidded and unhealthy? or is there still time to turn things around? He hasn't grown much at all in the 8 months that I've had him. Will this change or have I stunted his growth? His shell is much more firm now, but he isn't very active. He spends a lot of his time in his hide. He is only very energetic during his baths. Help!
I purchased my baby Sulcata, Bowser less than a year ago. I had done days and days of research on Sulcata care and was determined to do everything properly. The problem is that I am just now finding out that almost all of the care sheets I had based my setup on were far from appropriate. I was told that repti bark was an appropriate substrate, that they should be kept in a very dry environment, I was given inadequate lighting and food....I basically did everything wrong. I'll attach a pic of my initial setup.
View attachment 16202
Since that time I continued to do my research and have since changed my entire setup. He is now in a 40 gallon breeder tank (until I finish his new enclosure) with topsoil and orchid bark as substrate. He has a humid hide and a water dish now, as well as a small patch of bermuda grass. His enclosure temps are 80 at one and and about 90 at the other, with a basking spot of 95. He now has a mercury vapor bulb, and gets outdoor sunlight at least twice a week. I soak and mist him daily, and try to keep his home as humid as possible (this will be easier with my new enclosure) He gets a mixed diet of finely chopped cactus pads, bermuda grasses, mazuri, spring mix, and an occasional teaspoon of pumpkin puree. Is there anything that I'm missing or should/shouldn't be doing?
Anyway, after reading though several posts, it seems that a Sulcatas overall well being is established within the first year. While I am determined to keep him in optimal conditions now that I am better educated, have I already ruined his chances? Will he end up being pyramidded and unhealthy? or is there still time to turn things around? He hasn't grown much at all in the 8 months that I've had him. Will this change or have I stunted his growth? His shell is much more firm now, but he isn't very active. He spends a lot of his time in his hide. He is only very energetic during his baths. Help!
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