New to tortoise forum

[karsonagee]

This is my Sulcata Tortoise his name his chuck I’ve had him for about 6 months now he’s about 8 months old I believe. We live in Cincinnati Ohio so he’s inside a lot. He’s about 8months and he seems very happy and healthy for living in a climate where he has to stay inside most of the year. I’d like to get tips feeding advice, I’ve read a lot of different things like staying away from spinach, kale, and iceberg lettuce. (He’s very dirty from digging around in his table).

 

[TechnoCheese]

Welcome to the forum! Sadly, there are some things that need to be changed.

-your tortoise needs 80-100% humidity at all times, which is almost impossible with open topped, low sided enclosures like yours. You need a completely enclosed enclosure with very little ventilation.

-lamps should never be clamped to the side. It is a huge fire hazard, and makes it near impossible to properly measure the temps. They should be hanging from the top.

-you are currently measuring the temperature of the top of the enclosure, not tortoise level, with a very inaccurate thermometer. You should be using a digital thermometer with a probe or a temp gun, with a digital hygrometer.

-do you have a water bowl?

-are you using a uvb bulb? If so, is it a compact?

Please give these a read and come back with questions-
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php...ealthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/

For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

 

[drew54]

This is my Sulcata Tortoise his name his chuck I’ve had him for about 6 months now he’s about 8 months old I believe. We live in Cincinnati Ohio so he’s inside a lot. He’s about 8months and he seems very happy and healthy for living in a climate where he has to stay inside most of the year. I’d like to get tips feeding advice, I’ve read a lot of different things like staying away from spinach, kale, and iceberg lettuce. (He’s very dirty from digging around in his table)View attachment 256739. View attachment 256734View attachment 256736

Nice looking tiny dinosaur. Take a look at these threads.
https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/page-25#post-1678226
https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

Kale, spinach, and iceberg lettuce are not good for torts. I would get fresh grass clippings, edible weeds, edible flowers, endive, escarole, and other leafy greens. I would also throw in some mazuri tortoise chow in the mix also. Variety is key. If your tort isn't used to eating grass and weeds then it's a good time to introduce it with mazuri and other nutritious greens.

 

[Minority2]

1. Are you using a soil mix?

2. How many times do you soak/bath your tortoise per week?

3. How many inches of substrate are you using for that enclosure?

4. Please describe, link, and or take picture(s) of every bulb you are currently using in that enclosure. Certain bulbs as described above are unsafe for tortoises.

Kale shouldn't be fed often and in large quantities. They should also not be fed with similar Brassicaceae greens such as collards, rocket, bok choy, and others like it. Iceberg lettuce lacks nutrition, necessary fiber, and can cause explosive diarrhea. Spinach is also a no go.

@TechnoCheese has already provided a thread with a large list of foods to offer your Sulcata. Mazuri 5m21 while processed, is a generally good 1-2x a week food source for tortoises. Very effective in helping tortoises to gain weight and size.

Here is an incomplete but still very good website to check what safe foods can be fed to tortoises. Sulcatas are not a fruit eating species.
https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/index.php
https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tortoise-diet/harmful-properties/#.WMfT4BicZBw

 

[karsonagee]

Welcome to the forum! Sadly, there are some things that need to be changed.

-your tortoise needs 80-100% humidity at all times, which is almost impossible with open topped, low sided enclosures like yours. You need a completely enclosed enclosure with very little ventilation.

-lamps should never be clamped to the side. It is a huge fire hazard, and makes it near impossible to properly measure the temps. They should be hanging from the top.

-you are currently measuring the temperature of the top of the enclosure, not tortoise level, with a very inaccurate thermometer. You should be using a digital thermometer with a probe or a temp gun, with a digital hygrometer.

-do you have a water bowl?

-are you using a uvb bulb? If so, is it a compact?

Please give these a read and come back with questions-
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php...ealthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/

For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/

Beginner Mistakes https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

Yes I do have a water bowl he is able to get in an out of it very well I wash it and put fresh water in it everyday I soak in 3 times a week. YES I know I’m getting everything moved around and fixed with everything this weekend with the light situation because winter is approaching. I also was thinking about getting a top for my table I’m glad you said something ! Yes I do have uvb light I’m not sure if it’s a compact I got it from my local pet store zoo med brand I believe. Thank you I didn’t know that about the temperature thing I will be sure to update my tortoise table !