CherylAnne
New Member
I am new to this forum (well for that matter any forum) and need some advice. I was given a baby African Spurred Tortoise (named Neo) and am unsure of the proper habitat, substrate and diet for this little guy. I have already spent a small fortune. I have been raising Florida Box Turtles and Yellow Belly Sliders for years but this is a whole different ball game from turtles. I live in Florida where the temperature is fairly warm I have my baby Sulcata in a 50 gal. Terrarium which has great ventilation. I have had him for about 6 weeks and over the last week or so he seems to be less active and a little lethargic. I was first told to use Alfalfa pellets as a substrate but then after reading up on this substrate decided it was not a great idea. The pellets molded fairly quickly. I then switched to a coconut fiber mixed with soil. I feed him dark leafy greens and let him graze outside during the day as well in his outdoor habitat that I created for him. Now all he wants to do is sleep.
Now that the cooler weather is coming I have added a basking lamp to his habitat to keep it warmer. I have seen him have some bubbles come out of his nose occasionaly and have read that this could be a respiratory infection. Every time I read up on something it contradicts the last thing I have read. I am confused at the proper care for this guy. I appreciate any help that I can get since I am a tortoise novice.
Now that the cooler weather is coming I have added a basking lamp to his habitat to keep it warmer. I have seen him have some bubbles come out of his nose occasionaly and have read that this could be a respiratory infection. Every time I read up on something it contradicts the last thing I have read. I am confused at the proper care for this guy. I appreciate any help that I can get since I am a tortoise novice.
sulcatas grow fast i mean fast i have seen 4 year old 30 pounders. sulcatas are grassland species 90% grass/hay diet. in there cage i would recommend 75% humidity and 3 week soaks in room temp water for 15 minutes.
