Newbie trying to figure it out

[Hoker09]

Hello,
We recently got a Sulfate baby (name is still pending as we can't agree) and I just want to make sure I am doing what is right.
We have a Zoo med enclosure right now with organic soil as substrate. One corner is raised up a few inches by bricks and sloped with the soil. This is where the heat area is. I have a 100w Mercury vapor bulb about 10-12 inches above basking area, temp is about 90°.
He is very active during the day and is eating romaine and spring mix lettuce. We are soaking him/her every other day until he wants to get on the go again.
Any advice is welcome. I will post pics when I remember to take some
Thank you

 

[Ivan_Diaz]

Did you mean Sulcata ? If so I wouldn’t rely on romaine or spring mix as a main food (I learned that the hard way) I recommend feeding it mainly grass and even natural weeds , introduce this food slowly till your tort gets used to it. For a baby it’s all about humidity so provide a humid hide and make sure humidity is at 85% in the enclosure. Pictures of the enclosure and tort will really help out . If I’m wrong with anything I’m pretty sure the others will correct me I hope this forum is just as useful to you as it is to me!

 

[LaLaP]

Hi and welcome! I don't know too much about Sulcatas but I do know where to find all the best info.. on this forum there is a section for each species and once you find and click that the first handful of threads have most everything you'll need to know. Here is the Sulcata Diet thread I copied from there : https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sulcata-diet-sheet.64290/
Also check out this thread called Beginner mistakes : https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
Looking forward to pics of your tort!

 

[EllieMay]

Hello & Welcome! We all will be looking forward to seeing Pics of your baby. The temperature and humidity is key for him right now. The links that @LaLaP provided are the best start. You’ll also find a couple more on enclosure topics if your interested that I have found very helpful. Good luck!

 

[TechnoCheese]

Welcome to the forum!
Please give all of these a read-
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/

How are you keeping humidity in the enclosure? Do you have any night heat?

Could we see pictures of the enclosure?

 

[Hoker09]

Thank you for the replies. I was reading the links provided after I posted this and learned a little more about navigating this forum. Fairly simple actually. Here are some pics of the tortoise and enclosure. It is still a work in progress.

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome!

 

[Hoker09]

Did you mean Sulcata ? If so I wouldn’t rely on romaine or spring mix as a main food (I learned that the hard way) I recommend feeding it mainly grass and even natural weeds , introduce this food slowly till your tort gets used to it. For a baby it’s all about humidity so provide a humid hide and make sure humidity is at 85% in the enclosure. Pictures of the enclosure and tort will really help out . If I’m wrong with anything I’m pretty sure the others will correct me I hope this forum is just as useful to you as it is to me!

I did mean Sulcata. Phone doesn't like to do what I want sometimes.

 

[Hoker09]

Welcome to the forum!
Please give all of these a read-
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/How-To-Raise-A-Healthy-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/

How are you keeping humidity in the enclosure? Do you have any night heat?

Could we see pictures of the enclosure?

I just moistened the soil, Can't do too much as it is not a weatherproof enclosure. It is damp all the way through in over half of it. Do not have night heat, our house is 78-85 degrees. Put the enclosure next to a few pieces of equipment that are powered and generate heat 24\7. About 80 or so in that area all the time.

 

[daniellenc]

I just moistened the soil, Can't do too much as it is not a weatherproof enclosure. It is damp all the way through in over half of it. Do not have night heat, our house is 78-85 degrees. Put the enclosure next to a few pieces of equipment that are powered and generate heat 24\7. About 80 or so in that area all the time.

Do a search on closed chambers.....one can be made for less than $30 and will do wonders for temps and humidity.

 

[Hoker09]

Did not know about that. Would one of those large storage totes work? Like the 40-50 gallon ones you can get at Walmart. I am going to have to waterproof the current enclosure anyway, so I guess either will work for us.

 

[Ivan_Diaz]

Did not know about that. Would one of those large storage totes work? Like the 40-50 gallon ones you can get at Walmart. I am going to have to waterproof the current enclosure anyway, so I guess either will work for us.

I would just cover up the open part of the zoo med box with a clear plastic sheet that can be bought from a hardware store that way you’ll save money and not waste a good tortoise enclosure.

 

[Hoker09]

I would just cover up the open part of the zoo med box with a clear plastic sheet that can be bought from a hardware store that way you’ll save money and not waste a good tortoise enclosure.

That is what I was thinking. I have materials somewhere for that. I am looking for a humidifier to help.

 

[Ray--Opo]

Welcome and good luck

 

[Hoker09]

Tha

Welcome and good luck

Thank you