Rescued Tortoises with pyramiding

[Blooregard]

Hello, I recently rescued some Sulcata tortoises from my Aunt who got them from a breeder she knows and did not care for them well. She kept them indoors all the time, didn’t keep the proper humidity, had them on aspen mulch, only soaked once a week. She fed them tortoise pellets and spring mix with calcium powder. My main issue is they obviously have pyramiding but she swears they are from the same clutch and are both about 1.5yrs old. If this is true, the size difference is vast. Hubert is 1lb 11.6oz, Cubert is 11.3oz.

Since we have had them, I’ve set them up in a temporary 48x24 tank with a lid while I build an outdoor enclosure. We feed them a variety based on Toms guide and they are finally learning to eat Timothy hay and grass. We soaked them every day for 2 weeks and now 3-4 times a week. The enclosure stays above 80% humidity and has CRH/thermostat set to 81 degrees, a 24” UVB light, and a heat lamp over a piece of slate. They get about 2-4 hours of outside time per day in our lawn. They eat well, are very active and their skin seems to be better looking than when we got them.

I’d like to know people’s opinions on how they look and thoughts on the size difference. I’m assuming Hubert was beating Cubert out on food a lot. We know that a pair is the worst possible number for tortoises and we are trying to find someone we can trust to take one and care for it properly. But for now we are doing our best to keep them happy and healthy. We soak/feed them separately to make sure Cubert gets a chance to eat. Any advice/insights would be greatly appreciated.

 

[zovick]

Hello, I recently rescued some Sulcata tortoises from my Aunt who got them from a breeder she knows and did not care for them well. She kept them indoors all the time, didn’t keep the proper humidity, had them on aspen mulch, only soaked once a week. She fed them tortoise pellets and spring mix with calcium powder. My main issue is they obviously have pyramiding but she swears they are from the same clutch and are both about 1.5yrs old. If this is true, the size difference is vast. Hubert is 1lb 11.6oz, Cubert is 11.3oz.

Since we have had them, I’ve set them up in a temporary 48x24 tank with a lid while I build an outdoor enclosure. We feed them a variety based on Toms guide and they are finally learning to eat Timothy hay and grass. We soaked them every day for 2 weeks and now 3-4 times a week. The enclosure stays above 80% humidity and has CRH/thermostat set to 81 degrees, a 24” UVB light, and a heat lamp over a piece of slate. They get about 2-4 hours of outside time per day in our lawn. They eat well, are very active and their skin seems to be better looking than when we got them.

I’d like to know people’s opinions on how they look and thoughts on the size difference. I’m assuming Hubert was beating Cubert out on food a lot. We know that a pair is the worst possible number for tortoises and we are trying to find someone we can trust to take one and care for it properly. But for now we are doing our best to keep them happy and healthy. We soak/feed them separately to make sure Cubert gets a chance to eat. Any advice/insights would be greatly appreciated.

They could well be from the same clutch with the size difference most likely being due to them being kept as a pair with the smaller one being under constant stress.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Stunting in pairs is very common, no tortoise should be kept in a pair, I’d separate them as soon as you’re able if you haven’t already, they won’t ever be able to live as a pair.

Hopefully you’ll find these links useful,

Great one for new comers;

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

Toms guide;

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. Babies hatch during the...

tortoiseforum.org

I made this one based of the forums care information with added visuals;

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

This one is full of different closed chamber options, these guys will soon need a size upgrade

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is good to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they come in handy! Welcome to the forum and bless you for taking these two in

 

[Blooregard]

Stunting in pairs is very common, no tortoise should be kept in a pair, I’d separate them as soon as you’re able if you haven’t already, they won’t ever be able to live as a pair.

Hopefully you’ll find these links useful,

Great one for new comers;

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

Toms guide;

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. Babies hatch during the...

tortoiseforum.org

I made this one based of the forums care information with added visuals;

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

This one is full of different closed chamber options, these guys will soon need a size upgrade

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is good to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope they come in handy! Welcome to the forum and bless you for taking these two in

Thanks for all the links. I have been reading most of those guides and my substrate is orchid bark mixed with sphagnum moss like recommended. The tank is a temporary enclosure while I build an outdoor set up. I have included a photo of the start. I’m working on digging a trench to bury a barrier to keep them from burrowing out. Please excuse the construction materials lol. The metal fence will have a 2x12 attached around the perimeter to block line of sight.

My wife and kids are very excited to grow tortoise safe plants based on tortoisetable to add to their diet. For Mother’s Day the kids painted plant pots and I let them pick out tortoise safe flowers to give to mom.

We are looking into people/organizations to rehome one of the tortoises to. We never had any intention to keep both after seeing the obvious stunting.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thanks for all the links. I have been reading most of those guides and my substrate is orchid bark mixed with sphagnum moss like recommended. The tank is a temporary enclosure while I build an outdoor set up. I have included a photo of the start. I’m working on digging a trench to bury a barrier to keep them from burrowing out. Please excuse the construction materials lol. The metal fence will have a 2x12 attached around the perimeter to block line of sight.

My wife and kids are very excited to grow tortoise safe plants based on tortoisetable to add to their diet. For Mother’s Day the kids painted plant pots and I let them pick out tortoise safe flowers to give to mom.

We are looking into people/organizations to rehome one of the tortoises to. We never had any intention to keep both after seeing the obvious stunting.

Sounds like some exciting plans are underwayjust a heads up with the sphagnum moss, it does pose an impaction risk, orchid bark is a good choice

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Thanks for all the links. I have been reading most of those guides and my substrate is orchid bark mixed with sphagnum moss like recommended. The tank is a temporary enclosure while I build an outdoor set up. I have included a photo of the start. I’m working on digging a trench to bury a barrier to keep them from burrowing out. Please excuse the construction materials lol. The metal fence will have a 2x12 attached around the perimeter to block line of sight.

My wife and kids are very excited to grow tortoise safe plants based on tortoisetable to add to their diet. For Mother’s Day the kids painted plant pots and I let them pick out tortoise safe flowers to give to mom.

We are looking into people/organizations to rehome one of the tortoises to. We never had any intention to keep both after seeing the obvious stunting.

As for rehoming, you might want to check out @EppsDynasty from Joshua Tree Reptile Haven:

Joshua Tree Reptile Haven

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please click below to make a contribution today. Every penny counts!

joshuatreereptilehaven.org

 

[EppsDynasty]

@Blooregard ....
What precious torts. My wife and I are Joshua Tree Reptile Haven, a Tort Sanctuary that focuses (alot) on Desert and Sulcata Torts. If you ever need ANYTHING don't hesitate to contact us either on our website, here on the TFO or even by phone (760)499-4723. All we do is help Torts and Turtles and would love to help in any way we can.

 

[Tom]

Thanks for all the links. I have been reading most of those guides and my substrate is orchid bark mixed with sphagnum moss like recommended. The tank is a temporary enclosure while I build an outdoor set up. I have included a photo of the start. I’m working on digging a trench to bury a barrier to keep them from burrowing out. Please excuse the construction materials lol. The metal fence will have a 2x12 attached around the perimeter to block line of sight.

My wife and kids are very excited to grow tortoise safe plants based on tortoisetable to add to their diet. For Mother’s Day the kids painted plant pots and I let them pick out tortoise safe flowers to give to mom.

We are looking into people/organizations to rehome one of the tortoises to. We never had any intention to keep both after seeing the obvious stunting.

Hello and welcome. All of the following is intended to help. There is a lot of misinformation out there, and we want to help you succeed.

-Your first priority should be to separate these two. They each need their own enclosures, ASAP.
-2x4 is way too small for tortoises this size.
-They are not large enough to live outside full time yet. That should not happen until they are around 10 inches, and you will need a 4x8 foot indoor enclosure for each one until that time.
-Hay should not be introduced to their diet until they are around 12 inches or more. Hay is not for babies.
-When the time for hay does come, Timothy hay is too stemmy. Use orchard grass hay or Bermuda hay.
-This next one is some good news. You can stop digging. They don't need a buried barrier. They don't "dig out". When they have a suitable insulated temperature controlled night house, most of them don't dig at all, and are easily discouraged if they do start. When they dig, they dig a single tunnel at a 30-40 degree angle and they go up or down this tunnel. They don't dig down and then back up at another angle. Depending on what part of Texas you are in, a burrow is great for summer, but then you have to block it off every fall and make them use their heated box.
-The visual barrier around the bottom is necessary, so good job there.
- This outdoor pen is fine for a few hours in nice weather, but they should be indoors in large closed chambers most of the time and at night.
-Sphagnum moss is not a recommended substrate. The dirt like type can burn them. The long fibered mossy stuff will be eaten and it can cause impaction. Orchid bark is great all by itself.

Read those threads that were left in post number three, and your questions are all welcome.

 

[Blooregard]

Hello and welcome. All of the following is intended to help. There is a lot of misinformation out there, and we want to help you succeed.

-Your first priority should be to separate these two. They each need their own enclosures, ASAP.
-2x4 is way too small for tortoises this size.
-They are not large enough to live outside full time yet. That should not happen until they are around 10 inches, and you will need a 4x8 foot indoor enclosure for each one until that time.
-Hay should not be introduced to their diet until they are around 12 inches or more. Hay is not for babies.
-When the time for hay does come, Timothy hay is too stemmy. Use orchard grass hay or Bermuda hay.
-This next one is some good news. You can stop digging. They don't need a buried barrier. They don't "dig out". When they have a suitable insulated temperature controlled night house, most of them don't dig at all, and are easily discouraged if they do start. When they dig, they dig a single tunnel at a 30-40 degree angle and they go up or down this tunnel. They don't dig down and then back up at another angle. Depending on what part of Texas you are in, a burrow is great for summer, but then you have to block it off every fall and make them use their heated box.
-The visual barrier around the bottom is necessary, so good job there.
- This outdoor pen is fine for a few hours in nice weather, but they should be indoors in large closed chambers most of the time and at night.
-Sphagnum moss is not a recommended substrate. The dirt like type can burn them. The long fibered mossy stuff will be eaten and it can cause impaction. Orchid bark is great all by itself.

Read those threads that were left in post number three, and your questions are all welcome.

Thanks for the information, we will make the needed adjustments! I’ll remove the sphagnum moss and definitely stop digging. I was under the impression they needed a barrier. I am in SE Texas, Houston area. I did noticed they didn’t really care for the Timothy hay and it was basically always left in the food tray, I thought they just weren’t used to it and this eating around it.

How do you discourage digging if they start and already have a suitable house outside?

 

[Blooregard]

@Blooregard ....
What precious torts. My wife and I are Joshua Tree Reptile Haven, a Tort Sanctuary that focuses (alot) on Desert and Sulcata Torts. If you ever need ANYTHING don't hesitate to contact us either on our website, here on the TFO or even by phone (760)499-4723. All we do is help Torts and Turtles and would love to help in any way we can.

Thank you. I will.

 

[Tom]

How do you discourage digging if they start and already have a suitable house outside?

If ever you catch them digging, pull them out of their new hole, fill it in, and temporarily cover and block that area with an old tire or sheet of plywood or something like that. After a week or two, remove your unsightly blocking materials.

Remember that if you live in a part of Texas where is gets over 100 degrees every day in summer, then a burrow is the best way for them to live when they are large enough to live outside full time in summer. I let mine burrow in the hot summer months from late June through September, and then catch them above ground on a warm October day, BEFORE that first cold spell sets in, and block the burrow entrance with a sheet of plywood and some cinderblocks. They sleep in their heated shelter that first night and every night until the hot weather returns in June. They make this transition with no problems.