Our hatchlings weight

[jabbamama]

My bf and I got out hatchling at the beginning of December and we were told he/she was about 3-4 months old. He has been doing really well with eating and drinking. He has a nice hard shell. We never got a weight when we first got him. We got a scale tonight and he is only 38 grams (1.6 oz).

I know sulcatas growth rates are very different and variable but does this seem too small or normal? Maybe he was actually younger when we got him?

 

[Tom]

Mine hatch between 35 and 40 grams, so yours should be heavier by now.

How was it started at the breeders? Dry or wet routine?

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

welcome to the forums! how often do you soak? whats the cage humidity?

 

[Jodie]

Welcome to the forum. Tell us about your enclosure. Pictures are very helpful for us to help identify any problems.

 

[jabbamama]

When we got him the breeder did not give much info. We had a 3 hour drive back home and he was given to us with some lettuce, not romaine as typically recommended.

He is in. Rubbermaid tote with 1/3 of the lid cut off for his lights. Temp is between 80 and 85 and the substrate is coco coir. He is soaked daily for at least 20 minutes. Water is always available in his enclosure. His diet is a mix of Timothy hay and Bermuda hay with a romaine treat once per week. We are getting the seeds to free our own grass but through research felt that hay was sufficient in the mean time. We add calcium d3 three time per week. He poops and pees regularly.

 

[jabbamama]

These are enclosure pics...

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

the enclosure needs an upgrade really soon. try to get the basking spot temps at around 95. are you using a coil bulb?

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

his diet should be mostly weeds are fresh grasses at the moment. baby sulcatas are not hay eaters.

 

[cmacusa3]

I wouldn't believe he was that old when you got him.

 

[jabbamama]

No. Here is a pic of the bulb with jabba next to it (size the day we got him on dec 6)

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

I wouldn't believe he was that old when you got him.

he actually could be 3 to 4 months old if he was kept dry this stunts torts growth

 

[jabbamama]

Where do you suggest we get fresh grass during the winter months on the east coast

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

Where do you suggest we get fresh grass during the winter months on the east coast

is there like snow and no weeds every where. i live in CA and weeds are growing at this time of the year i can just get them from my yard.

 

[cmacusa3]

he actually could be 3 to 4 months old if he was kept dry this stunts torts growth

Go chase girls your age and do your homework

 

[jabbamama]

is there like snow and no weeds every where. i live in CA and weeds are growing at this time of the year i can just get them from my yard.

It's snowing as we speak

 

[jabbamama]

Go chase girls your age and do your homework

Ummm... What?

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

Go chase girls your age and do your homework

why are you telling me to do this?

 

[jabbamama]

We did a good amount of research before getting Jabba and felt that we were prepared and doing everything right. As I said he seems very healthy, nice hard shell, and has def gotten bigger since dec 6th. I wish I knew his weight then but we were not able to get a scale until now. We just want to make sure he grows up healthy

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

We did a good amount of research before getting Jabba and felt that we were prepared and doing everything right. As I said he seems very healthy, nice hard shell, and has def gotten bigger since dec 6th. I wish I knew his weight then but we were not able to get a scale until now. We just want to make sure he grows up healthy

he is a cute little sulcata, its so fun to watch them grow! Did you read toms care sheet? also i think the reason the member Abramsmytankturtle told me to do my homework and chase girls is because earlier he asked my age and I'm a young.

 

[Tom]

Where do you suggest we get fresh grass during the winter months on the east coast

You can grow your own or buy little plots of it at pet stores or grocery stores. "Organic wheat grass" is what they often call it. Here is a feeding sheet:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

This might help too:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/