Is it normal for my Sulcata hatchling to NEVER go into his hide?
This is normal for sulcatas. I think this helps them avoid the sulcata eating monsters that dug the holes in the wild. Put the tortoise in the warm humid hide every night well after lights out. After about 2 or 3 weeks, most of them realize that the "burrow" contains no monsters, and that it is now their burrow.
What is in the two hoods?
You need something opaque for a hide. Or at least and opaque roof.
Is that the water or food dish? Looks like you need another one.
I'd put a flat rock of some sort under the basking lamp.
There is no way to maintain the correct heat and humidity in an open tub like that unless the entire room is always 80 degrees and 80%+ humidity.
That all sounds good. Be careful the sun coming in the window doesn't overheat the tortoise, and watch out for this as the season progress. The sun comes in at a lower angle and heats up my reptile room more in the winter than it does in the hot summers.Thanks for the feedback.
CHE on one side, UVB bulb on the other. I used to have them cover completely with spagnium moss and he still wouldn’t use them. But I’ll cover them again.
I’ll add the flat rock today and get him another water dish. The room does pretty much very close to 80 degrees. It’s facing a window with plenty sun coming in and I’ve closed all a/c vents going to that room. I run a humidifier in there as well. I also cover the tub with a small greenhouse.
What kind of UV bulb? MVB or cfl?CHE on one side, UVB bulb on the other.
That all sounds good. Be careful the sun coming in the window doesn't overheat the tortoise, and watch out for this as the season progress. The sun comes in at a lower angle and heats up my reptile room more in the winter than it does in the hot summers.
I wouldn't use sphagnum moss. All of mine try to eat it. Try using an opaque container for your hide. It will make the tortoise feel more secure. I use dark colored ones.
What kind of UV bulb? MVB or cfl?