I got a sulcata from the reptile store and the guy had no idea what he was talking about and told me everything wrong. He told me to feed iceberg lettuce I want to know what his diet should be and where to get those correct dry grasses and hay here's pictures of his tank let me know if you guys have any recommendation or anything THANKS
New-help please (diet & habitat)
- Thread starter soflo
- Start date
RE: New help please
Oh boy, am I glad you came here. From the looks of things the store owner told you a lot of things incorrectly. I am going to move this thread over to the sulcata section, so you can get a lot more help to make all the readjustments you need to do. You have done the right thing coming here and soon we will get you and your tortoise onto the right track to get him started on a long and healthy life.
While your waiting, you might want to start by reading the sticky threads (located at the top of the sulcata section), then you will be ready for answering the questions that will soon be directed your way. Also you will start seeing for yourself how far off the care should be from what the store person told you.
Oh boy, am I glad you came here. From the looks of things the store owner told you a lot of things incorrectly. I am going to move this thread over to the sulcata section, so you can get a lot more help to make all the readjustments you need to do. You have done the right thing coming here and soon we will get you and your tortoise onto the right track to get him started on a long and healthy life.
While your waiting, you might want to start by reading the sticky threads (located at the top of the sulcata section), then you will be ready for answering the questions that will soon be directed your way. Also you will start seeing for yourself how far off the care should be from what the store person told you.
RE: New help please
Hi soflo, and welcome to the Forum!
Your picture is one that might be used with the caption, "How not to set up a baby sulcata habitat."
Jacqui has given you a direction of where to go to find what you're looking for. The "Important Threads" at the top of the Sulcata section should answer all your questions, but if you have more, please feel free to ask them.
Hi soflo, and welcome to the Forum!
Your picture is one that might be used with the caption, "How not to set up a baby sulcata habitat."
Jacqui has given you a direction of where to go to find what you're looking for. The "Important Threads" at the top of the Sulcata section should answer all your questions, but if you have more, please feel free to ask them.
Re: New help please
Thanks guys I understand I'm doing it wrong this is exactly b how they had them housed at the store in this case I'm glad I saved him I have to have him in the tank for a year cause I'm in a apt so after that I will be building an out side enclosur. Until then what should I switch the pellets with and is a spring mix with collard greens and mustard greens good until I'm able to start growing his food I have found this website call sulcatafood that sells seeds this this a good option thanks guys also is daily soaks needed? If so how long and when he's most active?
Here a pic of my Lil King Koopa such a cute guy wanna make sure he's lot pyramiding or any thing
Thanks guys I understand I'm doing it wrong this is exactly b how they had them housed at the store in this case I'm glad I saved him I have to have him in the tank for a year cause I'm in a apt so after that I will be building an out side enclosur. Until then what should I switch the pellets with and is a spring mix with collard greens and mustard greens good until I'm able to start growing his food I have found this website call sulcatafood that sells seeds this this a good option thanks guys also is daily soaks needed? If so how long and when he's most active?
Here a pic of my Lil King Koopa such a cute guy wanna make sure he's lot pyramiding or any thing
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RE: New help please
Welcome to the Forum. You do have a few good things going for you. The glass tank will make a good "closed chamber" for housing your baby. As far as replacing the pellets, I like coconut coir for a substrate. But here is a section we have devoted to the topic of substrates: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/forum-131.html
And since I mentioned closed chambers, here is a thread on them: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-32333.html
To grow smooth shelled, a baby sulcata need to be kept warm and humid. It is the best way we have found to minimize the effects of being started dry by many breeders. And yes, you soak him daily.
Welcome to the Forum. You do have a few good things going for you. The glass tank will make a good "closed chamber" for housing your baby. As far as replacing the pellets, I like coconut coir for a substrate. But here is a section we have devoted to the topic of substrates: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/forum-131.html
And since I mentioned closed chambers, here is a thread on them: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-32333.html
To grow smooth shelled, a baby sulcata need to be kept warm and humid. It is the best way we have found to minimize the effects of being started dry by many breeders. And yes, you soak him daily.
New help please
Hello and welcome to the TFO from AZ . You have a lot of people here that will help you a lot . Enjoy them and your new child . Good luck
Hello and welcome to the TFO from AZ . You have a lot of people here that will help you a lot . Enjoy them and your new child . Good luck
Re: New help please
Okay I'm gonna get that coconut coir substrate from cosmiccoir.com is that a good place to get it I'm ordering it today beside that what should I do until it arrives. I have one UV Bulb and one basking light one hide on the warm side on hide on the cold side I'm gonna feed him on the spring mix until I can grow the right type of plants I'll have them planted by this weekend in the mean time what should I do so he's happy and healthy they also told me to always have fresh food for him I'm reading that's wrong also so how often. Should I feed here a pic of me soaking hin in warm water let me know if I'm on the right track and what I can do better I want this guy to have a great happy healthy life:s
Okay I'm gonna get that coconut coir substrate from cosmiccoir.com is that a good place to get it I'm ordering it today beside that what should I do until it arrives. I have one UV Bulb and one basking light one hide on the warm side on hide on the cold side I'm gonna feed him on the spring mix until I can grow the right type of plants I'll have them planted by this weekend in the mean time what should I do so he's happy and healthy they also told me to always have fresh food for him I'm reading that's wrong also so how often. Should I feed here a pic of me soaking hin in warm water let me know if I'm on the right track and what I can do better I want this guy to have a great happy healthy life:s
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New help please
You are definitely on the right track! [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH] your little one is cute!
I've never ordered the coco coir from that site before, I usually get mine from petsmart (3 bricks for $6)
The spring mix is good, just make sure there is no spinach in it. Not good to feed it to sulcatas on a regular basis.
Also The Tortoise Table database is AMAZING for looking up whether or not a plant or flower is safe for tortoises (all torts, not just Sulcatas) to eat [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]
Also -- what kind of UV bulb do you have? Make sure it's not a coil bulb, those are bad for babies' eyes [DISAPPOINTED FACE]
You are definitely on the right track! [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH] your little one is cute!
I've never ordered the coco coir from that site before, I usually get mine from petsmart (3 bricks for $6)
The spring mix is good, just make sure there is no spinach in it. Not good to feed it to sulcatas on a regular basis.
Also The Tortoise Table database is AMAZING for looking up whether or not a plant or flower is safe for tortoises (all torts, not just Sulcatas) to eat [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]
Also -- what kind of UV bulb do you have? Make sure it's not a coil bulb, those are bad for babies' eyes [DISAPPOINTED FACE]
New help please
I get the brick form. But either way, you have to moisten it before you put it in the enclosure. I don't know how big the the bags are of the loose coco coir though. But with the bricks, a little goes a long way [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]
soflo said:
I get the brick form. But either way, you have to moisten it before you put it in the enclosure. I don't know how big the the bags are of the loose coco coir though. But with the bricks, a little goes a long way [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]
RE: New help please
It's pretty much a matter of choice. I like the ease of handling the little bricks rather then the bigger bags. I also think the bag stuff is dustier. He is a cute little guy!
It's pretty much a matter of choice. I like the ease of handling the little bricks rather then the bigger bags. I also think the bag stuff is dustier. He is a cute little guy!
Re: New help please
And best way to break down the coconut bricks sorry for all the questions I want this guy set up to be flawless then I'm going back to the reptile store and teaching them what to do I just hope they listen now I wanna get all those baby's cause there housed Terrible and o saw a big one walking around the store prymiding
And best way to break down the coconut bricks sorry for all the questions I want this guy set up to be flawless then I'm going back to the reptile store and teaching them what to do I just hope they listen now I wanna get all those baby's cause there housed Terrible and o saw a big one walking around the store prymiding
RE: New help please
Take a tub or a dish pan. Place the brick into the pan and add warm water. As it expands, rake it or stir it until all water is absorbed. Then add more water until all the layers of compacted coir have been mixed.
Squeeze the excess water out and put it into your enclosure. Squeeze it as tight as you can.
If your tub is large, you can do 3 at once and add substrate as needed to your enclosure.
Take a tub or a dish pan. Place the brick into the pan and add warm water. As it expands, rake it or stir it until all water is absorbed. Then add more water until all the layers of compacted coir have been mixed.
Squeeze the excess water out and put it into your enclosure. Squeeze it as tight as you can.
If your tub is large, you can do 3 at once and add substrate as needed to your enclosure.
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- Jul 15, 2012
- Messages
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New help please
Definitely get rid of the coil bulb. Mercury Vapor Bulbs that put out UVB are the bulbs that a lot of people use. I use PowerSun.
Definitely get rid of the coil bulb. Mercury Vapor Bulbs that put out UVB are the bulbs that a lot of people use. I use PowerSun.
Re: New help please
UPDATE***
Thanks for all your help I got the coconut coir soaking right now I got him eating organic spring mix.. got the pots and soil to grow him good grass any thing else I need to know you guys made a very lucky tort happy as hell
UPDATE***
Thanks for all your help I got the coconut coir soaking right now I got him eating organic spring mix.. got the pots and soil to grow him good grass any thing else I need to know you guys made a very lucky tort happy as hell
New help please
Just keep up the good diet, daily soaks, make sure the temps and humidity are always where they should be, and I think you are well on your way to raising a happy and healthy baby [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH][TURTLE]
And take lots of pictures. He will never be that tiny again it'll be fun to compare his size now to when he is 100+ pounds!
Just keep up the good diet, daily soaks, make sure the temps and humidity are always where they should be, and I think you are well on your way to raising a happy and healthy baby [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH][TURTLE]
And take lots of pictures. He will never be that tiny again
it'll be fun to compare his size now to when he is 100+ pounds!
New help please
Looks good so far!
May I make one suggestion about his water dish- those aren't the best. The edges are too high and if a baby was to flip over (they can sometimes, they can flip themselves back right side up) inside the dish, he'd be in trouble [DISAPPOINTED FACE] a forum favorite for both water dishes and food dishes are terra cotta plant saucers. They come in every size imaginable, and are cheap, like $1.99 for a 4" saucer. That way, the water in the saucer isn't deep enough for the baby to drown in it if he were ever to get stuck in it. Also another good point of the saucers is your baby can soak himself in it as he pleases [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]
Looks good so far!
May I make one suggestion about his water dish- those aren't the best. The edges are too high and if a baby was to flip over (they can sometimes, they can flip themselves back right side up) inside the dish, he'd be in trouble [DISAPPOINTED FACE] a forum favorite for both water dishes and food dishes are terra cotta plant saucers. They come in every size imaginable, and are cheap, like $1.99 for a 4" saucer. That way, the water in the saucer isn't deep enough for the baby to drown in it if he were ever to get stuck in it. Also another good point of the saucers is your baby can soak himself in it as he pleases [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]
Re: New help please
Make as many suggestions as you think please that's why I'm here the water dish I have is pretty shallow he is able to walk in it and it's not nearly as deep as the water I soak him in about neck high I'll take a pic when I get home tonight on him in the dish and if you still think it's too much I'll get another also I'm looking for a new hide cause he seems to like to try to get in and out at the part he doesn't fit when 1 inch over he would fit lol also what about these bones people say to put in the cage for him to eat if he wants
Make as many suggestions as you think please that's why I'm here the water dish I have is pretty shallow he is able to walk in it and it's not nearly as deep as the water I soak him in about neck high I'll take a pic when I get home tonight on him in the dish and if you still think it's too much I'll get another also I'm looking for a new hide cause he seems to like to try to get in and out at the part he doesn't fit when 1 inch over he would fit lol also what about these bones people say to put in the cage for him to eat if he wants
