New Sulcata Owner! So excited but so nervous!

Macwilburn13

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Joined
Apr 25, 2017
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4
Hello! New Tortoise Owner here. Right now his name is Walter and he a is a Sulcata Tortoise. I live in Northern Kentucky and I purchased him in Ohio at a reptile show. I think the man said he was a few months old (if you have a better idea on his age id love to hear!) Here is what Im working with:

Enclosure- 30 gallon tank (for now, currently putting together plans for a table), Screen top (covered most of it in plexiglass to raise humidity)
Substrate- Cypress Mulch about 3 inches deep
Lighting: Powersun UVB/heat Lamp - Keeps basket spot around 90-100
Night black heat bulb that keeps ambient temp around 75-80
Diet: Mostly Mix of local grass, dandelions, Spring mix, with Mazuri Tortoise food (2 pellets softened a day)
Supplements: I have cuttlebone/zoo-med rep calcium with D3, that I scrape a little onto his food twice a week (If need more or different please tell me)
Humidity: I spray his enclosure a few times a day, soak him twice a day for about 15-20 minutes each. The humidity near the basking area stays 60-65% and everywhere else it is at about 80-85%
Outside Time: He currently does not get a ton of time outside as temperatures here are still fluctuating between Low 70s and high 40s (weather here is unpredictable), I take him out as much as possible but like I said I have a lamp with UVB.

This is Walter! He is so cute to me. I have had "him" for a month and he has gained about 6 grams a week since I got him. He started about 56 grams (2 ounces) and tonight weighs 76 grams (2.7 ounces). When I first got him his scutes were a bit raised and ridged so Im worried about early pyramiding but humidity and soaking wise I think Ive been doing what I can. Any advise or thoughts (maybe on age?) would be appreciated. He's also started borrowing which I find kinda cute even though he has moved everything in his tank around ha.
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wellington

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Hello and Welcome. Follow our sulcata care sheet and you will get the pyramiding to stop. A closed chamber is the best way to house him until around the age of two. UVB will be blocked by screen and plexiglass.
A wide variety in his diet is good without fruit being part of it. Too high in sugars. The calcium is good as long as it's a small pinch. Soaks are good too.
 

Stuart S.

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Welcome! You have a good looking baby and it looks like you're doing great! Just keep up the soaks daily, my baby is 6 months old and looked exactly like Walter did when I got him but all his new growth is smooth. Your baby is going to turn out great if you take care of him the way it sounds you do.
 
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Macwilburn13

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Apr 25, 2017
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4
The bit of strawberry you see in one picture was just a tiny bite for easter. Fruit is not part of his diet :)
 
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