New Sulcata isn't eating much

[ben32hayt]

Hi I bought a baby sulcata from lllreptile and she I haven't seen her eat yet. So far I have offered dandelion greens, hibiscus flowers, mazuri, and a little bit of alfalfa sprouts. I give her baths for thirsty minutes a day in 85 degree water, i have a humidifier which stay on for about an hour a day and I also have a humid hut she can hide under. She is very active but just doesn't want to eat. Should I try giving her a treat to increase her appetite? Also I forgot to mention she has a UVB tube bulb and a 100 watt heat lamp. When I gave her a bath she pooped white stuff so I am thinking maybe she has digestive tract infective if she does I would like to do everything I can before I must take her to the vet.

 

[richybear]

Dont worry . Has the weather changed where u r ? My leopards went off their food last couple of days but have started eating now . The white stuff is very normal

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[ben32hayt]

Yes I live in New York and she arrived from California so the temperatures here are colder but she does live inside and I am going to put a space heater in her enclosure soon so the temperature won't drop below 70 degrees. Thanks for the response -Ben

 

[richybear]

She will start eating its obvious just change in weather

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[Tom]

Yes I live in New York and she arrived from California so the temperatures here are colder but she does live inside and I am going to put a space heater in her enclosure soon so the temperature won't drop below 70 degrees. Thanks for the response -Ben

A baby sulcata should not drop below 80 at any time day or night.

 

[mainey34]

The white stuff is urates...what are your temps?

 

[ladyjean22]

I'm also a sulcata owner in new york! What part are you? I'm near albany

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[Lancecham]

Once you get the night time temps up to 80, you should see an increase in eating.

 

[ben32hayt]

A baby sulcata should not drop below 80 at any time day or night.
[/quote]

Ok I will make sure I buy an extra powerful space heater.
-Ben

 

[Yvonne G]

Call the vendor you bought the tortoise from and find out what the baby is used to eating. Sometimes they don't recognize a change of food from their norm, as food.

 

[ben32hayt]

I'm also a sulcata owner in new york! What part are you? I'm near albany

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I am in Long Island, what do you do with your sulcata during the winter?

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Currently it gets to 86 degrees at night and 90 during the day.

 

[mainey34]

You should have 3 different temps in your enclosure. You should have a basking spot. That runs about 105* a warm area that runs 90-95* and a cool side that goes from 85-80* but never below 80* what is your humidity like? It should be at 80% and above.

 

[Tom]

Much more efficient to use a ceramic heating element on a thermostat than it is to use a space heater for the entire room.

 

[ben32hayt]

I am going to the reptile expo tomorow so I can get some supplies and possibly a new reptile. So I will make sure I will buy a ceramic heat bulb or two. Can I buy a heat mat? Do you have any

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Other suggestions on what I should purchase?

 

[Tom]

I would not use a heat mat.

Read the care sheet at the top of the sulcata page. That will tell you what you need and how to set it up.

 

[ben32hayt]

Ok thanks,
Ben

 

[ben32hayt]

Thanks everyone for the advice I tried feeding my sulcata romaine this morning and she ate! I was able to contact lllreptile and see what they feed her I bought a ceramic light for her pen so I think that increased the temperatures.