Just got Baby Sulcata Saturday- please help identify sex and look at belly?

Jeff_the_Sulcata

New Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2020
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
Phoenix, AZ
Hey all, I just got this Sulcata yesterday from the neighbor kids whose mom said they couldn’t keep it. They painted the nails (I Wouldn’t do that).
I would like help with two things (and I’m open to advice as a novice Sulcata owner):

• What sex is this tortoise? (S)he came pre-named “Jeff”

•Does the underside of “Jeff” look concerning to anyone besides me? There was a little bit of a soft spot that easily came off (pre-picture).(S)he did not have a proper habitat prior to arrival, (s)he had been in a huggies box for several days with some dirt and a desk lamp, eating grass and fruit.

He now has access to Tortoise food, lettuce, calcium powder, and gets to hydrate in chin deep water for 10 minutes/day (confirmation this is the right time would be appreciated). He also has uv/heat lamp combo. Picture of terrarium attached also.

I’m here for pointers and your input, thank you all for your help in advance!

I do know how big (s)he will end up being and took that into account in my decision making process on taking this little cutie in ?
 

Attachments

  • 9B8F3F34-AB18-4A3F-86A5-D860B5D394CB.jpeg
    9B8F3F34-AB18-4A3F-86A5-D860B5D394CB.jpeg
    1.9 MB · Views: 130
  • 10379592-0A06-405F-825C-8E64EB401F1D.jpeg
    10379592-0A06-405F-825C-8E64EB401F1D.jpeg
    1,003 KB · Views: 134
  • 6D90741F-37A8-49A4-A2A1-1090559621FB.jpeg
    6D90741F-37A8-49A4-A2A1-1090559621FB.jpeg
    2.5 MB · Views: 134

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,270
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Hello and welcome. Congrats on the new baby.

No way to know the sex until it gets to around 14-15".

That water bowl is a tortoise death trap and you should remove it immediately.

The moss is an impaction risk and should be removed.

The coco coir isn't dangerous, but it will be very messy. The orchid bark is the best substrate.

Lettuce is not a good tortoise food.

You will need a closed chamber to maintain the correct conditions for this species.

All this and more is explained right here:
 

AgataP

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2020
Messages
647
Location (City and/or State)
Seattle, WA
Not to be a b*** tortoise used his front legs to get food of their face. At this age (any age actually) nail polish seems like not a reasonable choice. Often when you watch them when something is “stuck “ to their body they do try to take it off.
I know this is to be “cute” but hatchlings are fragile as they are.

The belly looks like the yolk sack is now 100% “closed” yet.
Follow @Tom care sheet to make sure the baby gets all they need.

Welcome and good luck.
 

Lokkje

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Aug 19, 2019
Messages
1,142
Location (City and/or State)
Phoenix
Your baby is a little cutie. It is hard to overlook that nail polish. It also makes me laugh though. Gives “Jeff” and interesting strangely demonic ? look. ?
 

Lokkje

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Aug 19, 2019
Messages
1,142
Location (City and/or State)
Phoenix
And by the way it’s nice to see a fellow Phoenician in the forum.
 

Jeff_the_Sulcata

New Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2020
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
Phoenix, AZ
Hello and welcome. Congrats on the new baby.

No way to know the sex until it gets to around 14-15".

That water bowl is a tortoise death trap and you should remove it immediately.

The moss is an impaction risk and should be removed.

The coco coir isn't dangerous, but it will be very messy. The orchid bark is the best substrate.

Lettuce is not a good tortoise food.

You will need a closed chamber to maintain the correct conditions for this species.

All this and more is explained right here:
Thank you for this!!!!! I read the whole thing, I’ve got some work to do (and the bowl is gone and I ordered the Tericata dishes)
 

KarenSoCal

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 8, 2017
Messages
5,750
Location (City and/or State)
Low desert 50 mi SE of Palm Springs CA
Hey all, I just got this Sulcata yesterday from the neighbor kids whose mom said they couldn’t keep it.

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

Your baby is adorable!

Do you happen to know where the family got the baby? Did they get it from a breeder or a pet store?

If you don't know, would you ask them? The name of the breeder or pet store. Some of us are doing some research on baby sullies, and this would be helpful.

Thanks!

(BTW, I'm not the "Karen" @glitch206 was referring to! :))
 

Maro2Bear

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 29, 2014
Messages
14,712
Location (City and/or State)
Glenn Dale, Maryland, USA
Greetings - everything has already been noted, BUT NO FRUIT. Sully’s aren‘t built to digest fruit properly and at this age you might even make it sick. Stick to the food choices noted in the Sully. care guides.

Make sure that you are bathing daily & that you get a fully enclosed high humidity enclosure set up.

Good luck & Happy Torting
 

mastershake

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2018
Messages
585
Location (City and/or State)
Florida
i would just leave the polish and let it wear off i would not use any chemicals to remove it the fumes may be to much for a tort that size
 

Beasty_Artemis

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Aug 23, 2016
Messages
1,230
Location (City and/or State)
Oregon Coast
Oh eye roll....
My cousin painted her turtle's/ torts toenails , I guess, a long time ago. Or else she just liked to talk about doing that when I was a kid. Must be a common desire among little sh$@s! I saw a turtle that some kid painted the shell at a local exotic pet place once too. Sad because now nobody wants to buy them and give them a nice home!!!!
 

New Posts

Top