Hello! My name is Eli and I am in need of some serious Sulcata schooling! The pet store I bought my Sulcata hatchling, Bowser, from seems to not have a clue about this baby. They told me to feed him fruit! I have been doing my own research and browsing what seems like hundreds of "Expert" sites and posting questions on numerous forums and Im only more confused than when I started. Most sites are based on opinion and everyone has a different one. (I know there is lots of info for new owners on this site, but I need direct answers!) I feel that I have been given misinformation and am therefore not caring for Bowser in the best way possible!
Substrate: Every site says something different. They'll say, "use this" and someone else will say, "No, dont use that, use this!" So most people told me to use a play sand/soil mix, but I've read around this site and it's recommended against!! So what is the absolute best substrate for my baby?
Diet: What's the best diet to have him on... what kind of grass/leaves/flowers, how much, how often? When roaming in their outdoor enclosures, are they allowed to eat the grass from the yard or grow your own? When indoors, can I walk out my door and feed him grasses from my yard or should I buy/grow my own? Im not sure if it matters, but I live in Missouri.
Supplements/Calcium: If any, what brand, how often, and how much?
Lighting: I know this is important, so I want to know everything I need to know about lighting.... what brand, wattage, how far away from him should the light be? What's the best I can do for him as far as lighting goes?
Health: How do I know if he's not healthy? What's healthy poo and pee color? How much is healthy? Is there something I should do now because he's a hatchling and change when he's older?
Ive also heard of hibernating boxes? How do I make one of those for him? I would be very grateful with any information you can give me! It's just very frustrating to be doing something and not be sure if it's the best for him! I want only the best for him! Please help!!
(BTW...He still had an umbilical chord when I got him!)
Substrate: Every site says something different. They'll say, "use this" and someone else will say, "No, dont use that, use this!" So most people told me to use a play sand/soil mix, but I've read around this site and it's recommended against!! So what is the absolute best substrate for my baby?
Diet: What's the best diet to have him on... what kind of grass/leaves/flowers, how much, how often? When roaming in their outdoor enclosures, are they allowed to eat the grass from the yard or grow your own? When indoors, can I walk out my door and feed him grasses from my yard or should I buy/grow my own? Im not sure if it matters, but I live in Missouri.
Supplements/Calcium: If any, what brand, how often, and how much?
Lighting: I know this is important, so I want to know everything I need to know about lighting.... what brand, wattage, how far away from him should the light be? What's the best I can do for him as far as lighting goes?
Health: How do I know if he's not healthy? What's healthy poo and pee color? How much is healthy? Is there something I should do now because he's a hatchling and change when he's older?
Ive also heard of hibernating boxes? How do I make one of those for him? I would be very grateful with any information you can give me! It's just very frustrating to be doing something and not be sure if it's the best for him! I want only the best for him! Please help!!
(BTW...He still had an umbilical chord when I got him!)