New Salcutta mom needs instructions

[KarenMitchell]

Ive got a 5-7 year old salcutta. I was suposed to be baby sitting for a few month but now it looks like her home fell thru. So i need advise on care. Forgive me if these seem like dumb questions. I live on a hillside. She lives in the bottom of my slope/yard. Currently shes sleeping under the wetbar. I have a shed down there so im wondering if I should open it up and put a heat lamp in there for winter. Is there one that has a temp gauge to regulate the heat. Also I leave low edged water bowls but she never uses them. Should i get a childs pool and soak her in water once a week or so. Is that nessesary or does she get water thru the greens she eats. I feed her mostly kale. Lettuce. Cabbage. Spinach. Red / yellow/green Bell Peppers. Should I feed her any supliments like calcium for her shell? Last but not least. Should I put hay inside the shed to sleep on or will it catch fire from the heating lamp. Any advise appreciated.

 

[Tom]

Ive got a 5-7 year old salcutta. I was suposed to be baby sitting for a few month but now it looks like her home fell thru. So i need advise on care. Forgive me if these seem like dumb questions. I live on a hillside. She lives in the bottom of my slope/yard. Currently shes sleeping under the wetbar. I have a shed down there so im wondering if I should open it up and put a heat lamp in there for winter. Is there one that has a temp gauge to regulate the heat. Also I leave low edged water bowls but she never uses them. Should i get a childs pool and soak her in water once a week or so. Is that nessesary or does she get water thru the greens she eats. I feed her mostly kale. Lettuce. Cabbage. Spinach. Red / yellow/green Bell Peppers. Should I feed her any supliments like calcium for her shell? Last but not least. Should I put hay inside the shed to sleep on or will it catch fire from the heating lamp. Any advise appreciated.

Hi Karen. I'm in SCV too! Welcome to tortoise forum.

I've been keeping sulcatas since the early 90s and I've tried all sort of methods for housing them and seen all sorts of other people's ideas too. Here is what works: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
Or this: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/

Dogloos, sheds, deck boxes, and everything else I've tried, or seen tried, do not work as well. Over head bulbs are especially dangerous because they will slow burn the top of the carapace ad kill the tissue, while usually not warming the air in the shelter enough to do any good anyway.

You do need to have a large shallow water tub/bowl of some sort and it needs to be in the shade and sunk into the ground. They will be reluctant to use it if they have to go up and over a rime to use it.

Soaking two or three times a week in summer is a good way to ensure the tortoise stays hydrated and does not develop stones. They do NOT get all the water they need from their food.

Most of the foods you are offering are not good tortoise foods and should not be fed on a regular basis. This species is a grass eater. They need lots of grass, or grass hay, in the diet. Read this for more explanation: http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

What size is your tortoise? If its over 12", it is ready to start eating grass hay. I prefer bermuda or orchard grass hay. I get mine at Fox Feed on Sierra Hwy. Good quality hay. You can start feeding all the other foods on a bed of grass hay to get the tortoise used to it. After a few days of that, start sprinkling a little hay on top of the other greens and mixing it all in. Within a few weeks your tortoise will recognize the dry hay as food and begin eating it all by itself. I leave a flake of hay in with my adults all the time, and all other food is supplemental.

If you are ready to grow some spineless opuntia, we can meet in the middle and I'll give you some large mature pads that are ready for planting. Free of charge from one tortoise keeper to another.

There are lots of mulberry trees up here too. Friends family and neighbors will probably be thrilled to let you prune their trees all summer long. You can lop off a whole branch and drop it in your enclosure. When the leaves are gone, chuck the branch in your green bin and go get another fresh one.


This stuff can seem overwhelming at first, but once your set up is done right, these things a re really easy. Sulcatas are SOOOOOOOO easy to keep here with the right set up and foods. Ask lots of questions, and remember you've got a neighbor that is happy to help.

 

[KarenMitchell]

http://tinypic.com/

 

[wellington]

You got great advice from Tom and your very lucky to live in his area. follow his advice and you won't go wrong.

 

[KarenMitchell]

Does anyone know where to buy a good heatingpad for a large tortouse?

 

[Redfool]

Stanfield makes baby pig heat mats in various sizes. I use a 36x12 in my RFs outside warmhouse along with CHEs on cold winter nights.

 

[Big Charlie]

Does anyone know where to buy a good heatingpad for a large tortouse?

I have a Kane heat mat 18 x 28 for my over 100 pound tortoise. https://www.kanemfg.com/livestock-heating/ I ordered it from the Bean Farm, and I was very happy with their service.

I also have a radiant heat panel in the ceiling of his night box. http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat-panels I have the 80 watt size.

I'm in California with temperatures similar to yours, maybe a little warmer where I am.

 

[KarenMitchell]

Stanfield makes baby pig heat mats in various sizes. I use a 36x12 in my RFs outside warmhouse along with CHEs on cold winter nights.

Thanks i appreciate the input. I ordered one already. If it dosent work well i will try this one next time.

 

[Maro2Bear]

You might want to get some cuttlebones for your Sully. The beak looks a bit rough...

 

[KarenMitchell]

What are they and where do i get them. I have no idea how to care for her. This is all new to me. She was given to me to babysit then things changed and now i guess im keeping her.

 

[KarenMitchell]

Im currently trying to build a box for her. Ive seen many built but cant find plans with measurments for a non carpenter. Id like to get the wood precut at lowes or home depot but cant find plans with measurements. Do you know of any?

 

[Maro2Bear]

What are they and where do i get them. I have no idea how to care for her. This is all new to me. She was given to me to babysit then things changed and now i guess im keeping her.

Go to any PetSmart or Walmart pet department in the bird section, you will see cuttlebones there for budgies, etc. Get a few of those.... Our Sully loves to devour them in one sitting. @Tom can help you with night time enclosures. He has many good postings whats needed for a nighttime sully box.

Heres a YouTube video of our Sully cleaning up on a cuttlebone

 

[KarenMitchell]

Thank you. I will go get them today. How often should i give them to her. I assume this will file her beak like a parakeet.

 

[KarenMitchell]

Your is a beauty. I dont think mine was taken care of properly. Do you give yours any vitamins or calcium? If you do how often and what kind?

 

[Taylor T.]

Your is a beauty. I dont think mine was taken care of properly. Do you give yours any vitamins or calcium? If you do how often and what kind?

Cuttlebones are basically pure calcium - good another reason to provide them. And yes, it does help with the beak.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Every couple of weeks...not sure how often, but our Sully appreciates his cuttlebones.

 

[Big Charlie]

Your sulcata's beak looks split. You might have to trim it.

 

[KarenMitchell]

How do you trim a beak and cant i just give her cuttlebones to file it down.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Some actual trimming will quickly help get the beak in better condition so ur tort can grab and eat/cut food easier. The jagged, rough edges makes it difficult. The cuttle bone will help maintain beak in good shape, and provide calcium.