Soft shell

[Samo]

Hi i have 2 sulcatas (Jasper and Tiny) Jasper is younger and smaller than Tiny he/she hasn't been as active as normal i have only had them since November and just within the last couple of days i have noticed that Jaspers shell has become much softer than Tinys i soak them both equally they eat the same diet i am wondering what i should do i have added calcium to the water for soaking hoping it would absorb as well as adding some to their food i have been reading that i should very rid of the grocery store diet do i am going tomorrow to get some grass seeds and different pots and start growing my own pants for my babies but i was wondering what else i can do and maybe what am i doing wrong i am still learning all about them so all advice is welcome thank you in advance

 

[EllieMay]

Hi Samo and welcome! You have come to the right place for advice. I have 3 sulcatas myself and this Forum has been my guide from day 1.. a few questions- Are they housed together or separately? Can you take pictures of your setups and provide us with temp and lighting details? This way experienced members can take a look and offer you correct advice. Good luck!

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome!

You may already know this, but I'm going to say it anyway: Calcium on its own just goes in one end and out the other. In order for the calcium to work inside the tortoise's body, it requires good UVB. You can get UVB either from the sun or from a GOOD light. Here's the kind I use:

 

[TechnoCheese]

Where did you get these tortoises? Could we see pictures of them and their enclosures?

Please give 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/

 

[Samo]

Where did you get these tortoises? Could we see pictures of them and their enclosures?

Please give 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/

 

[Samo]

The picture is when we first got them we are working on them a bigger habitat and we have changed their bedding too a Timothy grass with a soil bottom so they can dig i am learning as we go i soak almost everyday for about 30-45 minutes their diet is mostly kale but i have just started the mazuri on occasion they don't seem to like it much

 

[Samo]

The picture is when we first got them we are working on them a bigger habitat and we have changed their bedding too a Timothy grass with a soil bottom so they can dig i am learning as we go i soak almost everyday for about 30-45 minutes their diet is mostly kale but i have just started the mazuri on occasion they don't seem to like it much

Oh and i got them at a reptile show here In Kalamazoo MI they are very special to me so i am willing to take any and all advice i can get

 

[Cheryl Hills]

Please read the links you were provided with. You need to make some changes to raise them right. Start with the links and do ask questions

 

[TechnoCheese]

Please give this a read-
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/hatchling-failure-syndrome.23493/

-they need to be separated ASAP. From the way one is failing and the other is surviving, there could definitely be bullying going in. Tortoises are solitary, territorial animals that should never be kept in pairs.

-you need a deep, damp substrate to hold 80-109% humidity.

Please give those links a read.

 

[Samo]

I am headed to the store now so that i can fix them being together what substrate do you recommend for them like i said i have a lot to learn

 

[TechnoCheese]

I am headed to the store now so that i can fix them being together what substrate do you recommend for them like i said i have a lot to learn

Cypress mulch(forest floor), coco coir(eco earth), and fine grade orchid bark( reptibark) are all good options. You need a damp 3-4 inch layer.

 

[Ray--Opo]

Hello Samo from a former Ludington Michigander.
I got my Opo at a Repticon show also. If I wanted 2 I am sure they would have sold me 2. I was doing everything wrong until I found TFO.
The Uvb light like Yvonne showed you is also what I bought. Its rating is 10.0 Uvb.
Also ( I am probably gonna get something going here) Kale has been thought to be a food that possibly restricts the calcium absorption. I feed it but not as much anymore. Don't let the little rascals dictate to you what they will eat. I was so happy to see my new little friend eat. I got stuck on romaine lettuce. It took a little bit and some tough love to get Opo eating different greens. Sometimes leaving the food for 2 days until the temptation got to Opo to eat or me on the 3rd day trying something else. I won.
A
Oh one more thing soak everyday for the same time you are doing.
Hang in for the joy these wonderful little brats will bring you.