Sulcata Coloration

[yarok]

I have noticed that some sulcatas appear to be lighter or darker in color than others. Is it possible to tell if my baby sulcata will be light or dark in color?

 

[Laura]

sometimes.. if they dont get enough sun.. they are darker...
yours shows some nice new growth, but looks a bit dry... do you have him humid?

 

[Tom]

At least at my place, fast new growth is usually dark and then it fades over time and with sun and weathering.

I think there is also a genetic component that makes some darker than others. Personally, I like the lighter colored ones the best. I call them "blonde". But this is just a matter of personal preference. I have a buddy here on the forum who likes the really dark ones.

 

[yarok]

I originaly had him on some alfalfa pellet substrate but changed it to cypress mulch. The cypress mulch dries out quickly when I spray it so today I started pouring water on the substrate. I also spray my tortoise and enclosure. I soak him every other day for about 10 to 15 minutes. Im going to start soaking him every day twice a day. i feed him zoomed comercial tortoise food mixed with spring mix or romaine lettuce and I sprinkle some calcium with D3 on his food once a week. For lighting I use deep dome with 100w MVB Powersun. Thank you for responding. I want to make sure im doing everything properly.

 

[Tom]

That all sounds good. I only soak twice a day if they were out sunning and it was really hot and dry. With a humid substrate, water bowl, humid hide, and several sprays a day, once a day soaking should be good enough, although I don't think twice will hurt anything either.

When you can, look for more variety in the diet. There are lots of other greens you can get from the store, but even better would be weeds and grass from a safe, chemical free area of your own yard. Also some spineless opuntia cactus, mulberry leaves, grape leaves, hibiscus or rose of Sharon leaves and flowers, etc... When he gets bigger, around 12", you can start to introduce dry grass hay.

 

[drgnfly2265]

I love the 2nd pic, cute little tail

 

[yarok]

Thanks. I was getting tired of gloomy depressing winter and I was bored so I decided to grow grass in my kitchen. It grew in really fast and really thick. Can i feed this grass to my tort? also is it possible to sex a tortoise while their still babies? going to the vet or something?

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At least at my place, fast new growth is usually dark and then it fades over time and with sun and weathering.

I think there is also a genetic component that makes some darker than others. Personally, I like the lighter colored ones the best. I call them "blonde". But this is just a matter of personal preference. I have a buddy here on the forum who likes the really dark ones.

I like the lighter colored ones best too. Can you tell if mine will be light colored or not really?

 

[bfmorris]

Thanks. I was getting tired of gloomy depressing winter and I was bored so I decided to grow grass in my kitchen. It grew in really fast and really thick. Can i feed this grass to my tort? also is it possible to sex a tortoise while their still babies? going to the vet or something?

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At least at my place, fast new growth is usually dark and then it fades over time and with sun and weathering.

I think there is also a genetic component that makes some darker than others. Personally, I like the lighter colored ones the best. I call them "blonde". But this is just a matter of personal preference. I have a buddy here on the forum who likes the really dark ones.

I like the lighter colored ones best too. Can you tell if mine will be light colored or not really?

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Your specimen appears to be average, which means it will ultimately grow into a beautiful horn coloured adult tortoise. So yes, light coloured.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Thanks. I was getting tired of gloomy depressing winter and I was bored so I decided to grow grass in my kitchen. It grew in really fast and really thick. Can i feed this grass to my tort? also is it possible to sex a tortoise while their still babies? going to the vet or something?

---

At least at my place, fast new growth is usually dark and then it fades over time and with sun and weathering.

I think there is also a genetic component that makes some darker than others. Personally, I like the lighter colored ones the best. I call them "blonde". But this is just a matter of personal preference. I have a buddy here on the forum who likes the really dark ones.

I like the lighter colored ones best too. Can you tell if mine will be light colored or not really?

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Your specimen appears to be average, which means it will ultimately grow into a beautiful horn coloured adult tortoise. So yes, light coloured.

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