new adopted sulcata

[alfonso echavarria]

my sister adopted a 1 year old sulcata from a friend and he seems to be a bit depressed since he moved in three days go he spends majority of his time in the log we got him to sleep and rarely eats hes also scared when we get close he rarely walks around and it worries us we keep him in a 10 gallon tank with alfalfa substrate he has a heating lamp and a uv lamp and we have a food dish and a water dish

 

[leigti]

Welcome to the forum. Please read doesn't care sheet under the species specific section. your tortoise needs more humidity. The hay is very drying. And he probably won't eat it right now anyway. Try soaking him every day for at least 20 minutes in lukewarm water up to the line where his top and bottom Shell meet. He is probably dehydrated and a little scared. He will require a much bigger enclosure ASAP. Like I said, read the care sheet and then come back with any questions you may have. and don't forget pictures of your tortoise and the enclosure. We love pictures

 

[Jodie]

Welcome to the forum. Definitely read the care sheets. Sulcatas are great. There are a lot of very knowledgeable people here.

 

[alfonso echavarria]

okay ill read the care sheet thank u so much for the advice and were in the process of getting him a bigger tank thank you so much for the warm welcome to the forum

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

okay ill read the care sheet thank u so much for the advice and were in the process of getting him a bigger tank thank you so much for the warm welcome to the forum

welcome to the forum! tortoises can't get depressed that is a human feeling . usually torts that don't move that much don't have proper heat. whats the cage basking spot and cool side temps?

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

10 gallon is way to small try to start off with something 4ft by 8ft theses torts need large amounts of room.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/ read this.

 

[bouaboua]

Hello and Welcome! ! !

 

[alfonso echavarria]

Majority of the tank is under the uv and heat lamp and its around 90 and we have a log that he can go under for shade which is around 70 we are trying to get a bigger tank so it can have more room to walk around were also working on an outdoor enclosement so he can get some more natural sun and some more excersize thank u all for the advice and the links to the care sheet we have also named our new sulcata its name is boby i will soon have updates and pictures of boby and his enclosement thank u so much for all the help

 

[Gillian M]

A warm welcome to the forum!

Torts need time and a lot of time to adapt to a new place, new environment, new everything and they need warmth. You'll hopefully get the help you need here. Good luck.

 

[Dizisdalife]

Welcome to the Forum. Tortoises do sulk a bit when moved to a new enclosure. When you get their habitat set up right for them (warm and humid) so they can properly thermo-regulate their temperatures, and they have a secure hiding spot where they can feel safe (the half log isn't enough), they will become active, eat a bunch, and steal your heart. An enclosure like the one in this link is just about perfect for keeping your little one indoors.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chamber-leopard-edition.109634/

 

[Tom]

90 is not a warm enough basking spot, and 70 is too cool for a baby sulcata. Also a 10 gallon is much too small. You can get a large plastic tote, like a 54 gallon one, at a hardware store for about $15-20.

Here is everything you need to know all in one place. Please just click and read:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/