Sulcata Hatchling Help

[Kellymay528]

I'm new to this so I'm not sure if I'm starting a conversation in the right place...
I just got a sulcata hatchling for Christmas. I've done tons of research and talked to different people. The little guy was shipped but seems healthy. I have a couple of questions. When I recieved him the bottom of his shell was a little soft almost like the top of a tubaware bin when you poke it. Is this because he's a hatchling? I have the correct lights, enclosure, etc. Another question.. I started trying to feed orchard grass, wheat grass, minimal collards because the tortoise was a surprise so collards were all I had for two days. Now he's stuck on these collards that's all he wants and I know they can't have a lot of it. Any suggestions on what to do? Please don't attack me! I just want to learn and get some opinions.

 

[Jodie]

Cut the collards and other stuff very small. Slowly use less and less collrd in the mix. I have found this is the easiest way to get them to eat new foods. Supplement calcium 2X a week. Just sprinkle a small amout on his food. If he is not able to get outside right now you could use calcium with d3 once a week as well.
Welcome to the forum.

 

[G-stars]

Hello and welcome. No one is going to attack you so don't worry. Everyone is here to learn. Please read these threads and then afterwards if you still have questions ask away.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index....ealthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

 

[Kellymay528]

Cut the collards and other stuff very small. Slowly use less and less collrd in the mix. I have found this is the easiest way to get them to eat new foods. Supplement calcium 2X a week. Just sprinkle a small amout on his food. If he is not able to get outside right now you could use calcium with d3 once a week as well.
Welcome to the forum.

Thank you.. I live in Maryland so it's impossible ):
I have been using some d3. Thanks for the input.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

welcome to he forum! can you post some pics of the new sulcata and his enclosure? here is the best care sheet in the world! http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
remember to keep him in 80% humidity and soak daily!

 

[Kellymay528]

Hello and welcome. No one is going to attack you so don't worry. Everyone is here to learn. Please read these threads and then afterwards if you still have questions ask away.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/How-To-Raise-A-Healthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Beginner-Mistakes.45180/

Sounds like I'm doing a good amount of things right!

 

[Kellymay528]

welcome to he forum! can you post some pics of the new sulcata and his enclosure? here is the best care sheet in the world! http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
remember to keep him in 80% humidity and soak daily!

Absolutely. He won't be in this enclosure for awhile I just started it pretty much I'm still buying a lot.

 

[Kellymay528]

welcome to he forum! can you post some pics of the new sulcata and his enclosure? here is the best care sheet in the world! http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
remember to keep him in 80% humidity and soak daily!

It won't let me upload a picture unless I'm doing it wrong I'm not sure.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

It won't let me upload a picture unless I'm doing it wrong I'm not sure.

are you on the app or on a computer?

 

[Kellymay528]

are you on the app or on a computer?

I think I got it. Here is the set up for now. Still buying and figuring it out. He doesn't like his hide at all so I had to put some of the coco bedding in the corner. He likes sleeping where his food is too. He's weird. This is temporary.

 

[cmacusa3]

You need to read the care sheets and really listen to @Tom

 

[Maro2Bear]

Hi Kelly, welcome! You might want to put a nice layer of that coco coir/husk all on the bottom, not just in the corners. Make sure your enclosure is at the proper temps both day and night.

Also, put enough substrate to have your water bowl at surface level, or even sub surface. It's hard for young torts to climb up over that hard edge. Most folks recommend garden type terra cotta plant saucers vice tortoise water bowls like u have.

Get some mazuri tort chow pellets, he will gobble those up and get good nutrition.

Get the humidity levels up, and put your thermometer at tort level.

Keep him warm! And check your lights! Welcome!

 

[cmacusa3]

This is my set up and with all the members advice my little guy is growing like a weed!

 

[Kellymay528]

Hi Kelly, welcome! You might want to put a nice layer of that coco coir/husk all on the bottom, not just in the corners. Make sure your enclosure is at the proper temps both day and night.

Also, put enough substrate to have your water bowl at surface level, or even sub surface. It's hard for young torts to climb up over that hard edge. Most folks recommend garden type terra cotta plant saucers vice tortoise water bowls like u have.

Get some mazuri tort chow pellets, he will gobble those up and get good nutrition.

Get the humidity levels up, and put your thermometer at tort level.

Keep him warm! And check your lights! Welcome!

Okay I will thanks. The only reason I didn't want to put the bedding on the entire floor is because I was afraid he would ingest it. I soak him twice a day and keep the bedding damp at all times.

 

[Kellymay528]

You need to read the care sheets and really listen to @Tom

Like I said... I just got him. This is everything I had so i'm in the process of buying things.

 

[Kellymay528]

This is my set up and with all the members advice my little guy is growing like a weed!View attachment 112032

Nice set up! Thanks for the ideas!

 

[cmacusa3]

Great! This is the right place for all the help you need!

 

[Kellymay528]

So about the bottom shell being slightly soft... Is this normal for a hatchling?

 

[Maro2Bear]

Okay I will thanks. The only reason I didn't want to put the bedding on the entire floor is because I was afraid he would ingest it. I soak him twice a day and keep the bedding damp at all times.

• From what Ive read, the worst thing is sand regarding torts ingesting it and getting impacted. The other things to stay away from are rabbit pellets and ground walnut shells. Coco coir/husks, sphagnum peat moss, plain garden soil are all good too, just no added fertilizers or additives, etc. I'd suggest a nice 2-3 inch layer of coco coir/husk. Good luck.

Ps, where in MD?

 

[Kellymay528]

Okay I will thanks. The only reason I didn't want to put the bedding on the entire floor is because I was afraid he would ingest it. I soak him twice a day and keep the bedding damp at all times.

Changed it up a bit just now.