- Joined
- Oct 24, 2008
- Messages
- 3
Hello all,
My name is Steve and I'm a proud owner of a baby tortoise. The store I bought it from told me it was a sulcata, but I'm unsure if it is a sulcata or a leopard. I realize care differences are minimal, but the eventual size will be important to consider. I'd love if someone could identify from the photos below for sure.
I've created a care regimen for my tort based on conversations with other successful sulcata owners and the internet.
His (maybe her, too early to tell) name is Dozer. The name has a dual meaning, he/she likes to sleep a lot, eats very well, and barrels through whatever is in his/her way (this could be bad in 15 years!).
Daily:
-Turn on the UVB lamp
-Change the water
-Provide a handful of fresh greens sprayed with a vitamin supplement that adds beta carotene, vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, calcium, vitamin D3, potassium iodide, and biotin.
-In the enclosure, I also provide a cuttlebone, which is 43% calcium for Dozer. He/she chews on it infrequently. I do this to supplement his diet and to prevent pyramiding.
-At night, I take Dozer out of his enclosure and give him a nice bath in warm water (baby bath warm). He/she usually releases his/her waste and takes a few gulps. This will last anywhere from 10-20 minutes depending how impatient Dozer gets. Unfortunately, he/she doesn't appear to like water. He/she rarely goes into his/her water dish during the day.
-After the bath, I dry Dozer off and polish his shell daily with vitashell. I do this to prevent cracking and to keep his/her shell nice and shiny and healthy. This supplement includes many natural oils.
I use alfalfa pellets in Dozer's enclosure. To my dismay, he/she doesn't eat them, but he/she sure loves to dig into them! Dozer doesn't appear to be allergic, which is good!
I'd love input on my care. Am I doing too much? Should I make any changes? I want to be a responsible tort owner.
I want my grandkids to love my tort as much as I do. =)
My name is Steve and I'm a proud owner of a baby tortoise. The store I bought it from told me it was a sulcata, but I'm unsure if it is a sulcata or a leopard. I realize care differences are minimal, but the eventual size will be important to consider. I'd love if someone could identify from the photos below for sure.
I've created a care regimen for my tort based on conversations with other successful sulcata owners and the internet.
His (maybe her, too early to tell) name is Dozer. The name has a dual meaning, he/she likes to sleep a lot, eats very well, and barrels through whatever is in his/her way (this could be bad in 15 years!).
Daily:
-Turn on the UVB lamp
-Change the water
-Provide a handful of fresh greens sprayed with a vitamin supplement that adds beta carotene, vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, calcium, vitamin D3, potassium iodide, and biotin.
-In the enclosure, I also provide a cuttlebone, which is 43% calcium for Dozer. He/she chews on it infrequently. I do this to supplement his diet and to prevent pyramiding.
-At night, I take Dozer out of his enclosure and give him a nice bath in warm water (baby bath warm). He/she usually releases his/her waste and takes a few gulps. This will last anywhere from 10-20 minutes depending how impatient Dozer gets. Unfortunately, he/she doesn't appear to like water. He/she rarely goes into his/her water dish during the day.
-After the bath, I dry Dozer off and polish his shell daily with vitashell. I do this to prevent cracking and to keep his/her shell nice and shiny and healthy. This supplement includes many natural oils.
I use alfalfa pellets in Dozer's enclosure. To my dismay, he/she doesn't eat them, but he/she sure loves to dig into them! Dozer doesn't appear to be allergic, which is good!
I'd love input on my care. Am I doing too much? Should I make any changes? I want to be a responsible tort owner.
I want my grandkids to love my tort as much as I do. =)
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