New Baby Sulcata

[Crixus31]

Hello Everyone!

I just recently got a baby sulcata as a Christmas present! His name is Crixus (I'm calling him 'he' until I find out for sure if it's a he or she. He has a vet apt next week!) My boyfriend had his home all set up for him when he surprised me with him. He's been really active and eating well. Finding this forum was amazing it's been so helpful!

My one big question right now (because I've been getting so many different answers from other websites and books) is how do I achieve the perfect indoor housing for him. Right now I have heating lamps for him. His "hot" side is always between 80F-100F and his "cool" side is between 80F-85F. At night I have a heat night light that keeps it at 80F. I also have a water and fool bowl for him and damp substrate. I have a half log that he can crawl under too. what would be a good humid hide for him though? I want to make sure I do everything right for him!

I'm new to all of this and would like all the help I can get! Thank you!

 

[Killerrookie]

Hello!
Here's a caresheet that should help you out and it's up to date!
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index....ealthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/
May we also see his enclosure?

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome.

Here is all the correct care info:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Be aware that most of the info you find while doing "research" for this species is old, incorrect and based on false assumptions about their lives in the wild.

Also be cautious at the vets office. Most vets don't know much about proper tortoise care and they will go in the back and look up the same stuff you've already found on the internet. Many of them also want to do "vitamin" injections as a way to charge more money and pay off those ridiculous student loans. These can be harmful or fatal. Unless you get really lucky and find a good, experienced tortoise vet, who has extensive actual hands on experience keeping tortoises, I don't think they will be much help. There is also not much to be told by looking at the outside of a normal healthy tortoise and even thousands of dollars of diagnostics will miss some issues. My point is: If there is nothing wrong, you probably don't need a vet visit, and that if you are not careful, the vet visit could do harm.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

Most of the things you find doing research on the 'net is old and outdated information. It was good stuff at the time it was written, but we've come a long way since the 'olden days.' I used to keep my tortoises on alfalfa pellets, even when I came on the Forum. It took me quite a while to realize I was harming my tortoises by listening to the old ways.

In order to not be confused, stick with us. We won't steer you wrong.

 

[Dizisdalife]

Welcome to the Forum. Your one big question "how do I achieve the perfect indoor housing for him" is perhaps the most important of all. If you can give them what they need in the way of environment they will be healthy, active, and grow as they are intended to grow. Tom's thread, http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
is perhaps the best how-to-do-it guides to baby sulcata care there is today. You will want to study that. Feel free to ask all the questions you want. And post lots of pictures.