Michigan Sulcata!

[kaytie.loves]

Hi! I'm new to the site, but I've been caring for a sulcata for the past two years, but he is ~15 years old. I've recently decided to get a baby sulcata of my own. My friend had one but he died after a couple months because he was exposed to the cold MI weather.
Basically, I'm asking for some suggestions/examples of how to keep a baby sulcata, an indoor housing because Michigan gets COLD.
Thank you!!

 

[coreyc]

Welcome to the TFO

 

[dmarcus]

This is a great place to start, this thread was started by Tom and it gives you some good information. Welcome to the forum..

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-How-To-Raise-Sulcata-Hatchlings-and-Babies#axzz1K76Icrpd

 

[Jacob]

Welcome, i also have a new baby sulcata

 

[TortieLuver]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Read Tom's thread and then ask away any questions you have from there. We will be happy to answer.

 

[Rjhoop]

Sorry I'm no help but I will be checking in ta see what people say for the cold weather!!

 

[Fernando]

Hi! Welcome to TFO!

Warmth is key!

Adding a heat gradient in a big enclosure is good. Stay 75+ degrees at night in the coldest spot of the enclosure. You'll learn what works best for you little by little. But the link they gave you above is where I started and My little sulcata is super healthy and active

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Kaytie.loves:

Welcome to the forum!!

May we know your name?

ooooo...you've taken on quite a chore. It won't be such a problem while the baby is small, but when he gets big, its going to be a pretty big problem! Its hard to keep a large sulcata confined in a small space. My best suggestion would be to turn over the whole basement (if you have one), or a whole bedroom to the tortoise during the winter months.

My Dudley is around 125lbs and he has always lived outside. He has a heated shed with vinyl strips over the door to keep the warm in and the cold out. He goes out every day, even in the frost and rain, and when he gets cold he goes back inside. I can't imagine trying to keep him indoors. He would tear down the walls! Of course, our weather here in Central Calif is nowhere near as cold as it is in Michigan. Good luck to you!!

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Hi and welcome to TFO, I keep Bob who is pushing 100 pounds, in Oregon where it gets pretty cold too. Bob lives in a heated insulated shed that is 12'X20', which is barely big enough when he is tired of being in and is pacing and knocking on the walls. I also open his doggie door every morning and some days he goes out and like today we finally had some sun and he stayed in. He ate good and pooped so I figure he's alright, he just didn't want to go out today. Anyhow, welcome to TFO you will love it here...

 

[pdrobber]

welcome. pics of your big guy?