Looking for Hatchling care info

[goatgal]

Today my Sulcata hatchling arrived. I have had a habitat ready for it and from my research, I thought the best thing to do was to immediately put it in its new home and leave it alone to acclimate. After a couple hours, it was still not moving and its eyes were still closed. I did some research and read that it could be dehydrated and a warm soak would be beneficial. So, a few minutes in some lukewarm water and I had a lively little one. Now it is sleepy again. Since it is new to me, how much activity should I expect from this little guy?

 

[wellington]

Congrats. The threes below in my post should help you out. Also, give warm soaks every day for 20-30 minutes. It's a baby, so they do sleep a lot, but it should come out to eat, and roam. Make sure your temps and humidity is correct, that's explained in the threads below.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

welcome to the forum! we can help your sulcata more if we know this information. whats the cage temps cool side and basking spot? does he have access to water? are you using a coil bulb? posting enclosure pics will really help a lot.

 

[goatgal]

welcome to the forum! we can help your sulcata more if we know this information. whats the cage temps cool side and basking spot? does he have access to water? are you using a coil bulb? posting enclosure pics will really help a lot.

Thanks! The temp in the basking area is 95 degrees and I'm using a reptile-specific basking bulb. I don't have a thermometer in the UV corner, but it's considerably cooler. I do have a shallow water dish available. Everything I've read says that it doesn't need heat at night as long as temps are above 60 degrees. This guy is really small! I'd hate for him to freeze because he's too young to tolerate the temp change.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

Thanks! The temp in the basking area is 95 degrees and I'm using a reptile-specific basking bulb. I don't have a thermometer in the UV corner, but it's considerably cooler. I do have a shallow water dish available. Everything I've read says that it doesn't need heat at night as long as temps are above 60 degrees. This guy is really small! I'd hate for him to freeze because he's too young to tolerate the temp change.

there are some big problems with your enclosure. he needs humidity! the substrate should be moist and the cage humidity should be at 80%. hay as substate will irritate his skin and eyes and after at little while his shell will start to deform form the lack of humidity in his environment. you should not let you hatchling sulcata cage temps go below 75-80. low temps will cause a respiratory infection. to get night time heat use a CHE.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

also the water dish needs to be big and be shallow. the best type of water bowl is a thin clay plant saucer. please read this entire care sheet. http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

 

[Jodie]

You're going to need to make some changes. You have been given bad information. Please read the care sheets in the Sulcata section. He needs to be kept in a humid enclosure with a minimum of 80F. You will need to change your substrate and cover the enclosure. Here are some links to start your reading and learning.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/african-spurred-tortoise-sulcata-care-sheet.52524/

 

[Tom]

You've read the wrong websites. There is A LOT of old out-dated and just plain wrong info out there. You are not alone. Lots of people do their "research" and just end up reading the wrong stuff from the wrong person. Please read these:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.78361/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

This is the right info for raising a baby sulcata. There are hundreds of examples of tortoises right here on this forum demonstrating the positive results of these new and improved methods.

Sulcatas come from a very hot part of Africa. The temperature for a baby should never drop below 80 day or night. They hatch on a rainy day in the rainy season. It is hot, humid, and there are puddles and marshes everywhere. This is why they do so well in Florida. They don't come from a desert. They come from grassland and the edges of forests. It take a substantial amount of annual rainfall to maintain grass and trees. You don't get that in a desert.

What sort of UV bulb are you using? The pet store usually recommends the coil type cfl bubls. These can damage tortoise eyes and should never be used. If you live in a warm area, you don't even ned indoor UV since you can use real sunshine all year long.

 

[goatgal]

there are some big problems with your enclosure. he needs humidity! the substrate should be moist and the cage humidity should be at 80%. hay as substate will irritate his skin and eyes and after at little while his shell will start to deform form the lack of humidity in his environment. you should not let you hatchling sulcata cage temps go below 75-80. low temps will cause a respiratory infection. to get night time heat use a CHE.

Okay. I'll make some changes ASAP! I have several other options available immediately and can get whatever else I need in the morning. I've read so many things, and thought that this was the best set up :/ Darn. There is moist coconut coir under the hay. I will move it to a terrarium for the night and improve his home tomorrow. Thanks again.

 

[goatgal]

You've read the wrong websites. There is A LOT of old out-dated and just plain wrong info out there. You are not alone. Lots of people do their "research" and just end up reading the wrong stuff from the wrong person. Please read these:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.78361/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

This is the right info for raising a baby sulcata. There are hundreds of examples of tortoises right here on this forum demonstrating the positive results of these new and improved methods.

Sulcatas come from a very hot part of Africa. The temperature for a baby should never drop below 80 day or night. They hatch on a rainy day in the rainy season. It is hot, humid, and there are puddles and marshes everywhere. This is why they do so well in Florida. They don't come from a desert. They come from grassland and the edges of forests. It take a substantial amount of annual rainfall to maintain grass and trees. You don't get that in a desert.

What sort of UV bulb are you using? The pet store usually recommends the coil type cfl bubls. These can damage tortoise eyes and should never be used. If you live in a warm area, you don't even ned indoor UV since you can use real sunshine all year long.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[goatgal]

You're going to need to make some changes. You have been given bad information. Please read the care sheets in the Sulcata section. He needs to be kept in a humid enclosure with a minimum of 80F. You will need to change your substrate and cover the enclosure. Here are some links to start your reading and learning.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/african-spurred-tortoise-sulcata-care-sheet.52524/

I'm so glad I found this forum! I would have lost this little one if I hadn't found you guys. I really thought I was prepared.

 

[Jodie]

I have definitely been in your shoes. Glad you found the forum so soon. I have a leopard that is pyramided because I didn't find it nearly soon enough. Humidity and heat are the key. Don't buy the dial gauges at the pet store. Accurite makes great digital gauge that measures both temp and humidity. A Ceramic Heat Emitter on a thermostat is the best bet for ambient temperature. Ask lots of questions. Welcome!