Seeking Information on Picking out a hatchling

Crash Override

New Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2021
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3
Location (City and/or State)
Northern California
Hello,

I am looking for advise on selecting the healthiest sulcata hatchling out of a group, is there any traits too look for or avoid?

What are some good questions to ask the breeder?
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
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Jan 9, 2010
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63,264
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Hello,

I am looking for advise on selecting the healthiest sulcata hatchling out of a group, is there any traits too look for or avoid?

What are some good questions to ask the breeder?
Glad you asked. Almost no one starts them correctly. I'm going to link four threads for you that will spell it all out and show you how it should be done. Do NOT buy a dry started baby!





You should ask what incubation media was used?
How long in the brooder box?
How often was the baby soaked?
Was it kept mostly indoor in warm humid conditions?
What was it fed?

I have two babies left that are well started and ready for sale.
 

Crash Override

New Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2021
Messages
3
Location (City and/or State)
Northern California
Thank you Tom,

I will start reading all the links before hand. We are suppose to meet the seller in a few days, also got to see pictures of the mom and dad. Mom is around 25 father is 35.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,264
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Thank you Tom,

I will start reading all the links before hand. We are suppose to meet the seller in a few days, also got to see pictures of the mom and dad. Mom is around 25 father is 35.
Just know that almost no one starts them correctly.

Our own @NorCal tortoise guy recently hatched out a bunch and is one of the few people that starts them well. If you don't get the answers you need from the seller you've found, don't buy one. It is awful watching people and baby tortoises suffer through a dry start.
 

Crash Override

New Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2021
Messages
3
Location (City and/or State)
Northern California
Just want to follow up with the answers to your recommended questions.
What incubation media was used?
Organic soil/ vermiculite

How long in the brooder box?
I'm not sure what a brooder box is. They stayed in the incubator until the egg sack was absorbed then into the nursery tank.

How often was the baby soaked?
They are soaked every other day for 15 minutes.

Was it kept mostly indoor in warm humid conditions?
I only keep them indoors. They are much to small to be outside. They have a uvb light and heat emitter. They tank is kept at 85-90 degrees
What was it fed?
They are fed romaine lettuce/ soaked timothy hay, peppers, cucumbers mainly.
 
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