Skin too dry?

[tortiemom12]

This is my youngest hatchling, Turk. He's active and eating well, but the skin on his head looks too dry. We just moved to NY and was wondering if it was just stress from the travels... Or am I giving them too much heat? Their enclosure is fixed with a 100 wt infrared, a 150 basking with UVA, and a regular UVB light. The red dishes in the photo are their water(biggest) and food (smallest).

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

the substrate is way to dry, change it to coco coir. baby tortoises need 80% humidity so there shells do become deformed. also 2 sulcatas should not be kept together.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Welcome to TFO! (I'm a little late )
Okay, there's a lot going on with this picture. You're right, they're really dry! Sulcata babies need high humidity to grow up smooth and healthy. They shouldn't be bumpy like that...
Please read these, they are very helpful! - http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
Also, is the UVB a coil bulb? -http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/coil-type-uv-bulbs-dont-use-them.35247/

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

first picture was raised with high humidity and the other was not raised with humidity.

 

[tortiemom12]

Ok! Thanks!

 

[tortiemom12]

That explains why their shells are bumpy. Their previous owner said that she didn't keep a water container in their enclosure. When I asked why, she said that someone at a pet store said that all they needed is misting on their food and enclosure. I've started using snake straw bedding because they seem to really enjoy burrowing in it... Do you think if I just start misting the enclosure it would help with the humidity enough? And I did separate them for awhile, but they got depressed, and when I put them back together they perked back up.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

That explains why their shells are bumpy. Their previous owner said that she didn't keep a water container in their enclosure. When I asked why, she said that someone at a pet store said that all they needed is misting on their food and enclosure. I've started using snake straw bedding because they seem to really enjoy burrowing in it... Do you think if I just start misting the enclosure it would help with the humidity enough? And I did separate them for awhile, but they got depressed, and when I put them back together they perked back up.

tortoises are solitary animals, in the wild a male tortoises will try to fight and chase away intruders that come into there territory. they do not get "depressed" when they are alone from other torts. yes i would really change the substrate and give them daily soaks for 30 minutes each day.

 

[tortiemom12]

Ok. Thanks

 

[tortiemom12]

To Yellow Turtle,
No it is not a coil bulb, but the previous owner did have one of those. But I replaced it. Just didn't look right... Had no idea they had caused so much eye damage to reptiles!

 

[TortMomma]

That explains why their shells are bumpy. Their previous owner said that she didn't keep a water container in their enclosure. When I asked why, she said that someone at a pet store said that all they needed is misting on their food and enclosure. I've started using snake straw bedding because they seem to really enjoy burrowing in it... Do you think if I just start misting the enclosure it would help with the humidity enough? And I did separate them for awhile, but they got depressed, and when I put them back together they perked back up.

You should switch out the bedding and use one of the substrates suggested in the sulcata care sheets under the African tortoise section and sulcata tortoise. You should keep the substrate moist by adding water and mixing it frequently.

 

[tortiemom12]

Ok! Thanks so much guys!

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

To Yellow Turtle,
No it is not a coil bulb, but the previous owner did have one of those. But I replaced it. Just didn't look right... Had no idea they had caused so much eye damage to reptiles!

Thank you! That's a great thing! Yep, they're pretty bad!
I would switch out the substrate. That won't really give you 80%! To ensure 80%, you can mist, but the dirt also has to be moist, to hold it in. If too much escapes, try covering the top a little.

 

[tortiemom12]

Ok, so before I went out to buy more substrate, I ran over to my mother in laws to see what kind of soil she had and I was wondering if I could use that for now. I will definitely get some coco coir next time I'm paid but for now just trying to use what I have.

 

[tortiemom12]

 

[Blakem]

You don't want fertilizer in the soil. I've used just plain dirtthat I know hasn't been sprayed by a bug person, snail repellent, or treated with harmful things to animals. For now, spray your sulcata 6-7 times daily with warm water, that'll help with the shell. You could soak in warm water 30 minutes 2 times a day as well. I like coco voir because it keeps it humid. I bought a giant block that required 5-7 gallons of water, soaked the substrate over night and let it dry for a few days. You don't want the coir wet, just damp. After that, the substrate lasted me almost a whole year. I would pour water over it as needed and mix it all around. I covered the humid hide box with it and that stayed humid. I had a closed chamber as well. Good luck!

 

[tortiemom12]

Good to know! Thanks!

 

[tortiemom12]

Ok, did a
Quick search and it seems like the best place to purchase coco coir is on amazon. Is this true or is there a better place to purchase it? Never worked with this material before and I want to get the best deal I can

 

[Blakem]

I'm not sure where you're from, but I want to a place called Orchard Supply and found a huge brick of it for 13 dollars. It's a hardware store with a plant area. I've never bought online.

 

[tortiemom12]

Alright! I think that covers all I need for now! Thanks guys!

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

if you have any more questions just ask!