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hey guys just built a 2 1/2 by 4 foot table for my 2 sulcata's and one baby leopard tortiose box is plenty big for all of them just curious what substrate to keep them on?
substrate question
- Thread starter bikerjohn05
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ANYONE? 60 views and no response lol
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Tortoise-substrate#axzz1loGqp1OL
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Substrate-Debate#axzz1loHMZjwj
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-low-mantainance-non-molding-subst#axzz1loHMZjwj
And this one has real good info:
https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/the-work-shop/substrates-1
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Substrate-Debate#axzz1loHMZjwj
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-low-mantainance-non-molding-subst#axzz1loHMZjwj
And this one has real good info:
https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/the-work-shop/substrates-1
I use plain organic dirt on my Sulcata's table. No bugs, no chemicals, no worries. In his short life, my Sheldon has been on a few different kinds. His old owners had him on wood chips of unknown origin... and I put him on Bed-a-Beast substrate when I first brought him home. I changed it out for Timothy Grass hay for a bit, too. So far, he enjoys the dirt the best.
I've read here that mixing the dirt with coconut coir is the best, and helps to maintain proper humidity. Some of the coir (even the pet brands) could have been treated with chemicals, so make sure that you read the packaging really well.
Make sure you read about what substrates to say away from, too! I think the links that emysemys posted for you are a wonderful start!
I've read here that mixing the dirt with coconut coir is the best, and helps to maintain proper humidity. Some of the coir (even the pet brands) could have been treated with chemicals, so make sure that you read the packaging really well.
Make sure you read about what substrates to say away from, too! I think the links that emysemys posted for you are a wonderful start!
Not really big enough for the three of them and the sulcata's should Not be housed with a leopard. That said, Coconut coir is what I use.
Please read the threads at the bottom of my post with my signature.
Please read the threads at the bottom of my post with my signature.
I agree with wellington - don't house your Leopard with your Sulcatas... and also to read the threads listed in wellington's signature. If your Sulcatas are still tiny, the table you described might work for a little bit, but not for long! I have my yearling Sulcata in a table that will last him a little bit longer and it's close to the size of yours...
Do you know how big your Sulcatas are going to get? Do you have the ability to separate your torts to give them each their own table/enclosure? I think you should separate your Leopard asap, and then be ready to separate your 2 Sulcatas if the need arises.
Plus, when I responded a bit ago - it was just for the Sulcatas... I don't have any Leopards, so you would want to ask the experts who do have Leopards, too. I really, really suggest that you take some time to surf through existing threads here - the amount that you will learn about your little torts will be mind-blowing. You're among friends, and in the right place - just be sure to use all of the knowledge you have available to you, so your torts will have a much happier existence.
Do you know how big your Sulcatas are going to get? Do you have the ability to separate your torts to give them each their own table/enclosure? I think you should separate your Leopard asap, and then be ready to separate your 2 Sulcatas if the need arises.
Plus, when I responded a bit ago - it was just for the Sulcatas... I don't have any Leopards, so you would want to ask the experts who do have Leopards, too. I really, really suggest that you take some time to surf through existing threads here - the amount that you will learn about your little torts will be mind-blowing.
You're among friends, and in the right place - just be sure to use all of the knowledge you have available to you, so your torts will have a much happier existence.
Honey said:I agree with wellington - don't house your Leopard with your Sulcatas... and also to read the threads listed in wellington's signature. If your Sulcatas are still tiny, the table you described might work for a little bit, but not for long! I have my yearling Sulcata in a table that will last him a little bit longer and it's close to the size of yours...
Do you know how big your Sulcatas are going to get? Do you have the ability to separate your torts to give them each their own table/enclosure? I think you should separate your Leopard asap, and then be ready to separate your 2 Sulcatas if the need arises.
Plus, when I responded a bit ago - it was just for the Sulcatas... I don't have any Leopards, so you would want to ask the experts who do have Leopards, too. I really, really suggest that you take some time to surf through existing threads here - the amount that you will learn about your little torts will be mind-blowing.
knowledge you have available to you, so your torts will have a much happier
existence.
[/quote
DITTO, DITTO, DITTO
Also Sulcata's and leopards have similar requirements, however should not be housed together.
They are fine being housed together when they are small, you won't have any issues at all.
This is kind of cool - I think both Wellington and Arizona Sulcata know quite a bit more about torts than I do. I'm knowledge hungry, and always eager to learn more.
Sooo... Wellington and I think separate is best, and Arizona Sulcata says that they're fine being housed together while still small.
I think if you both (Wellington and Arizona Sulcata) will explain your positions, bikerjohn05 could learn some pretty spot on info. Or, link him towards threads that could expand upon what you're both saying. ?? Want to ??
Sooo... Wellington and I think separate is best, and Arizona Sulcata says that they're fine being housed together while still small.
I think if you both (Wellington and Arizona Sulcata) will explain your positions, bikerjohn05 could learn some pretty spot on info. Or, link him towards threads that could expand upon what you're both saying. ?? Want to ??
When they are small, just like any species of animal they aren't aggressive or demand their own territory. This only occurs when they begin to become sexually mature and start their own pecking order. I've housed small leopards and sulcatas together and had ZERO issues. On the contrary they definitely need to be separated when they get older and more aggressive. You'll know when the time comes. Until then there's nothing to worry about.
-Austin
-Austin
Awesome! Thanks for the clarification, and also for filling us in, Austin!
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Hey guy's sorry i haven't got on in a while but to answer some questions i have them on orchid bark right now and the leopard is very active. They all sleep next to each other in the hide! I had my little sulcata and leopard at the same time. Then picked up a bigger sulcata a few weeks back, He's maybe 5 inchs.They have a huge hide with a seprate spot for the little leopard to go but she sleeps right next to the big guy! I will read into the articles but whats the main reason for not housing them together? I also have alot of room and plan on building a bigger table just built this as a starter box i'll attach some pic's tell me what i'm doing wrong lol
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heres the table the door hinges shut and lock and the top of the hide comes off and same a seperate spot incase the small leopard wants to get away i have a 100 watt basking bulb and 100 watt heat emitter. it stays 105-110 in the hot spots and high 80's all over and a zilla uvb bulb
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heres my table doors fold up and lock temps are 105-110 in the basking ans 80 everywhere else with a zilla uvb! theres a sepreate hide in the hide for the lepoard to get away but she sleeps next to the big guy. the top of the hide also comes off
Coco coir is my favorite, but cypress mulch and orchid bark are good at promoting a humid microclimate as well.
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ok how about humidity levels where should they be at?
bikerjohn05 said:
For a Russian tortoise? They come from arid and semi-arid environments, where the ambient air humidity is naturally around 20-60%. At the same time, they need a moist microclimate they can burrow into, with a humidity approaching 100%. This sounds hard to provide, but is actually very easy. Just don't worry about air humidity, and give your tortoise a nice, moisture-holding substrate like coco coir, cypress mulch, or orchid bark. That way he can walk around in the dry air, and then bed down when he wants something more humid.
Bikerjohn05 - What is the humidity level in the enclosure? The set up looks really nice - and they seem happy, but It also looks dry. ?? So cute... small, medium, and large!! Heeheehee!
Ok... I see that you've asked about humidity levels... and that GeoTerraTestudo replied... but you said that you had two sulcatas and one baby leopard tortiose, right?
I only have a Sulcata... I'm not sure at all about the baby Leopard, though. Here's a thread that I've found super helpful thus far:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-The-End-Of-Pyramiding#axzz1mFwDi8lb
Ok... I see that you've asked about humidity levels... and that GeoTerraTestudo replied... but you said that you had two sulcatas and one baby leopard tortiose, right?
I only have a Sulcata... I'm not sure at all about the baby Leopard, though. Here's a thread that I've found super helpful thus far:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-The-End-Of-Pyramiding#axzz1mFwDi8lb
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