New Sulcata Owner! (:

[pguinpro]

Saw one of these bad boys at a serpentarium and had to get him or her idk yet Haha. Anyways I got a 20gal tank temporarily and recommended equipment. It already ate today but never had any water [emoji848] also had an issue with it pacing up and down the sides of the tank looking at reflection so I put brown paper bags on that side. Additionally the temperatures have been all over the place which is a major concern. Half the tank reads 90-100 and other is 79-88 with 54%-60ish humidity. Other than that seems to be doing well and am excited. Any tips greatly appreciated.

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome. Please give these a read through:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

Most of the care info you'll find for these guys is all wrong. I hope we can help.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome!

If you cover that aquarium, you can get a more stable temperature.

 

[pguinpro]

I recently few him some clippings and it had this stuff in it, I was just reading that it might be bad for torts?

http://onlineplantguide.com/mPlantDetails.aspx?Plant_id=1825

 

[pguinpro]

Also only grass I have in my yard here in CA is mouse barley

 

[pguinpro]

Still waiting on some things in the mail so this tank is pretty bare. Having issues with humidity or maybe it's broken idk. He wont drink water either which is freaking me out.

 

[Toddrickfl1]

Your going to have to cover that to get the humidity you need. Some people use tin foil, or a garbage bag. Also for grass, a lot of people here buy this and grow it in kiddie pools or small containers

https://www.tortoisesupply.com/TestudoMix

 

[pguinpro]

Your going to have to cover that to get the humidity you need. Some people use tin foil, or a garbage bag. Also for grass, a lot of people here buy this and grow it in kiddie pools or small containers

https://www.tortoisesupply.com/TestudoMix

Wont covering it with tinfoil reduce air?

 

[Toddrickfl1]

You don't have to worry about that. You will open everyday to feed and water him, and that will be plenty of air.

 

[pguinpro]

You don't have to worry about that. You will open everyday to feed and water him, and that will be plenty of air.

So humidity is at 56 height now and I want to lower it cause card says aim for 20-40%. What if i covered 3/4?

 

[Toddrickfl1]

Sounds like the info they gave you was outdated. You want to keep the baby in as high as possible humidity to prevent pyramiding. Here read this thread

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-end-of-pyramiding.15137/

 

[TechnoCheese]

It is extremely important that you read the links Tom gave you. You need 80-100 % humidity at all times.
The first plant you showed is toxic and should not be fed.

 

[pguinpro]

It is extremely important that you read the links Tom gave you. You need 80-100 % humidity at all times.
The first plant you showed is toxic and should not be fed.

I read the the thread in regards to pyramiding. I have covered the top with aluminum except for underneath the heat light. So he ate that clover thingy will he get sick? Also is there a way o can check which weeds are okay for feeding? What about second plant okay? I have tons of it in my back yard [emoji23]

 

[Toddrickfl1]

I read the the thread in regards to pyramiding. I have covered the top with aluminum except for underneath the heat light. So he ate that clover thingy will he get sick? Also is there a way o can check which weeds are okay for feeding? What about second plant okay? I have tons of it in my back yard [emoji23]

There is an app called "picture this" you can download that allows you to take a picture, and it tells you what the plant is usually. Then download the app called "tortoise table" you canlook up the plants you find with this and it will tell you if it's safe for your tort.

 

[Toddrickfl1]

Also only grass I have in my yard here in CA is mouse barleyView attachment 240204

This is what it says about the barley

 

[daniellenc]

https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/#.Ww2j3YgvyUk

The tortoise table has a large database of foods you will encounter and tells you what is safe and what is not. The links @Tom already posted also give in detail a safe and varied diet to feed so read those. Tortoises are an involved animal to care for so doing your research is very important.

 

[pguinpro]

Wow those apps are amazing! Thanks so much guys very helpful [emoji7]

 

[pguinpro]

It is extremely important that you read the links Tom gave you. You need 80-100 % humidity at all times.
The first plant you showed is toxic and should not be fed.

How often do you spray the dirt? I sprayed it and humidity sensor read 84% then hour later read 72%...

 

[Toddrickfl1]

Try pouring water from a cup directly onto the substrate and mix it up good so it's moist. This works better than misting

 

[daniellenc]

In an open top table you’ll have to add water several times a day. You can fashion a lid though and cut a hole for your basking lights. Look at the Christmas tree plastic totes at Walmart $38 will give you a closed chamber that’s much easier to maintain.