My updated brooder...

[Tank'sMom]

Another thing! If you can get them outside for even half an hour...you won't need ANY lights the rest of the day! There probably isn't any light in the burrow...or very little (at most)! I'm moving these guys into different micro-biomes daily...throughout my property...although not exactly widespread...it still allows different degrees of sun/shade...and they don't see the same environment on any consecutive days!

Wow. Master Dean!
I will definitely take all your advice. The hides, and all the box, are dripping wet! But I will cover the holes if you guys think it will help.
The water dish seemed like a good idea at the time, but it isn't very practical after all so I'll be changing that too.
And YES! I totally intend on getting them outside time. Where I live it's 100 degrees and 100% humidity.
On your thread you mentioned only having them out for 15 minutes at a time, several times a day? Is that what I should do?
The lights are mainly a heat source.
And this "brooder box" is temporary. I plan to move them into a much larger, possibly outdoor (with über safety measures) enclosure as soon as they are old enough to take advantage of our perfect conditions.
Just wondering when that will be!

 

[DeanS]

Wow. Master Dean!
I will definitely take all your advice. The hides, and all the box, are dripping wet! But I will cover the holes if you guys think it will help.
The water dish seemed like a good idea at the time, but it isn't very practical after all so I'll be changing that too.
And YES! I totally intend on getting them outside time. Where I live it's 100 degrees and 100% humidity.
On your thread you mentioned only having them out for 15 minutes at a time, several times a day? Is that what I should do?
The lights are mainly a heat source.
And this "brooder box" is temporary. I plan to move them into a much larger, possibly outdoor (with über safety measures) enclosure as soon as they are old enough to take advantage of our perfect conditions.
Just wondering when that will be!

I didn't realize that you were in TX...if it's 100º and 100% humid...then you don't need any of this s**t! Get 'em outdoors (protected) with a lot of shady spots! I only put them out periodically to eliminate artificial lighting...I'd leave 'em out all day if the High Desert was 0 RH

 

[Tank'sMom]

I didn't realize that you were in TX...if it's 100º and 100% humid...then you don't need any of this s**t! Get 'em outdoors (protected) with a lot of shady spots! I only put them out periodically to eliminate artificial lighting...I'd leave 'em out all day if the High Desert was 0 RH

Oh Tank is very happy outdoors. I thought about setting the brooder out on my balcony tomorrow with the lid on to maintain humidity. Even though it's 100% humid it's not "dripping wet". So that concerns me.
They are only one week old today! I thought I had to keep them in the brooder for a month?
I plan to give them plenty of outdoor time though!!!

 

[DeanS]

I forgot that yours were only a week. YES! Keep them in the brooder until their umbilical scar is healed...then they're good to go!

 

[Tank'sMom]

I forgot that yours were only a week. YES! Keep them in the brooder until their umbilical scar is healed...then they're good to go!

I can't wait to get them out of the brooder! It's a lot of work!!!
Tank is so much easier. Toss him some treats, hose him down and open his gate to graze the backyard!

 

[DeanS]

Last night I posted my brooder set-up! It's simple as hell...and extremely effective! Check it out...

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...aladars-babies-ultra-photo-heavy.92212/page-6

 

[Tank'sMom]

Last night I posted my brooder set-up! It's simple as hell...and extremely effective! Check it out...

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...aladars-babies-ultra-photo-heavy.92212/page-6

Yes I saw it last night! It's great. I love the "under the top heat radiator". They didn't have those back in my "serious herping days". It was all bulbs, mats and tons of heat rocks. Do they still make those? Hate those things.
Great idea!

 

[Tank'sMom]

I put the brooder, uncovered out on my second floor balcony. I want them to get some sun. Is it safe to leave them out there for long or should I be limiting their outdoor time??
I put a chair without the cushion over top for shade and protection.
They've been out there for about an hour now.

 

[Levi the Leopard]

This is my rule with the Leopards (can apply to Sulcata)

Hatched-3 weeks: 20 min of sun/shade (not in the heat of the day either)
3 weeks-6 weeks: 30 min to1 hour of sun/shade Max!!
6 weeks- 12 weeks: 1 hour a day
3 months-6 months: up to 2 hours a day
6 months- 1 year: 4-6 hours a day
+1 year: all day outside, inside at night

This is my general guideline but size plays a factor too.

If I remember you have week old babies... I personally wouldn't do 1 hour outside..but then again, I live in dry SoCal. I don't know if it's the same for you out in TX. ??

 

[Tank'sMom]

This is my rule with the Leopards (can apply to Sulcata)

Hatched-3 weeks: 20 min of sun/shade (not in the heat of the day either)
3 weeks-6 weeks: 30 min to1 hour of sun/shade Max!!
6 weeks- 12 weeks: 1 hour a day
3 months-6 months: up to 2 hours a day
6 months- 1 year: 4-6 hours a day
+1 year: all day outside, inside at night

This is my general guideline but size plays a factor too.

If I remember you have week old babies... I personally wouldn't do 1 hour outside..but then again, I live in dry SoCal. I don't know if it's the same for you out in TX. ??

Wow! Great info! Here it's hot and humid. 97 degrees right now and the humidity is unusually low at 80%. I've sprayed them down a few times. But thanks for the tip! I'll bring them in now.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Heather, thanks for posting this info regarding sun exposure. Handy to have and great guidance. Tks

 

[Tank'sMom]

The hatchlings are not eating
I posted another thread about this. But haven't received much reply.
I've tried all kinds of things.
They are 9 days old today.
Help?

 

[Tank'sMom]

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Hatchlings-not-eating-:(.94303/#post-877323
This is the original post with more detailed info...

 

[DeanS]

This is my rule with the Leopards (can apply to Sulcata)

Hatched-3 weeks: 20 min of sun/shade (not in the heat of the day either)
3 weeks-6 weeks: 30 min to1 hour of sun/shade Max!!
6 weeks- 12 weeks: 1 hour a day
3 months-6 months: up to 2 hours a day
6 months- 1 year: 4-6 hours a day
+1 year: all day outside, inside at night

This is my general guideline but size plays a factor too.

If I remember you have week old babies... I personally wouldn't do 1 hour outside..but then again, I live in dry SoCal. I don't know if it's the same for you out in TX. ??

This is cool...I love the table!

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Again, that is more of a guideline than a table set in stone. But I really do think that in a dry climate, less is more in regards to the little ones.

 

[Maro2Bear]

As far as taking young sulcatas out for some sunshine and leg stretching, etc. is there a minimum temperature outside that one should have? It's high 70's now, with beautiful sunshine. I'm thinking a bit cool. Next week, high 90's which should be better. Thoughts appreciated, tks. Since Dean brought this up here, I'm hoping this a good location for this question.

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Yes, I take babies out if it's in the 70s as long as they have access to sun. I'll take them out if it's in the 90s but prefer they have mostly shade..

 

[Maro2Bear]

Yes, I take babies out if it's in the 70s as long as they have access to sun. I'll take them out if it's in the 90s but prefer they have mostly shade..

Thanks Heather. Sully, short for Sultan, is about four weeks old, received in great condition from Lance. I figured that it's best for outside sunning on the warmer side of days. He's going out soon, mid-80's now. He'll have shaded and sunny areas to wander around for a bit. Tks!