Uneducated

[Katelyn H]

Hello all,

I am a new member to the forum because I am a bit worried about my tortoise. I believe that I have a sulcata, but I am not sure. I was given this turtle when I was 18 years old as a gift from an ex boyfriend. I was handed him with little to no information and I have been confused ever since. I was given him in February of 2012. I am saying him and I am not even sure if it is truly a boy! I have went to numerous pet stores but it always seems that they do not know what they are talking about. I have even contemplated giving him to a zoo because I fear that I am not properly caring for him. I think his shell is pyramiding, as it has never been smooth and seems to have gotten more pronounced over the years. I feel him leafy green with occasional fruit. I bought some calcium powder to sprinkle on his food but I am not sure how to use it properly. I have a heat lamp on him throughout the day (not all day though). I am using a "loose coconut substrate" and I soak him a few times a week. Please help me as I want to make sure that he is as healthy as possible. There are no vets around my area that look at tortoises and I was contemplating taking him to one just to ensure that he is healthy. The top of his shell seems hard but the bottom seems to be less firm. HELP!!

-Katelyn

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Hi Katelyn,

Can you take pictures of your tortoise? If you post them here, we can help you ID what species you have. Once that's out of the way, we can give you more detailed tips on how to care for him.

Zoos don't usually want pet tortoises and many dog/cat vets don't know enough about tortoises to accurately confirm what you have and if it's even healthy.

Hope we can help you. We all care about these guys very much and any advice you are given here is given with the best of intentions.

 

[Alaskamike]

Hello and welcome. If you can upload photos of enclosure too we can help determine what might make it better

It also helps if you mention where you live , as different climates provide varying challenges.

Once species is known , diet can be suggested. They need variety and it's not hard to provide.

Don't panic , even if he is pyramiding it can improve with some changes.

Good fortune with him. This is a great place to get quality help

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Katelyn, and welcome to the Forum!

It doesn't sound like you're doing anything "too" wrong in your care of the tortoise. We'll be better able to help you once you show us some pictures. In the mean time, go to our Sulcata section and read the pinned threads at the top of that section.

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome. Looking forward to being able to help once we know what you've got and where you are.

 

[dmmj]

salutations. The boyfriend is gone but the tortoise is still around? please upload some pictures so we can ID it.

 

[Speedy-1]

Hi and welcome Katelyn !

 

[Katelyn H]

 

[Katelyn H]

I uploaded some pictures that I just took. I live in Indiana part time and in Ohio part time for college.

 

[Yvonne G]

Yup, it's a sulcata. The only thing I see is the substrate looks pretty dry. It's a warm, humid environment that helps them grow smoothly.

 

[Tom]

Here is the care info for sulcata:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/

If you'll take the time to read these three threads, you will be way ahead in your sulcata knowledge and be able to give your tortoise the best care possible. Please feel free to ask lots of questions after reading. I hope there will be a few.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Katelyn, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum to you and your pretty sulcata.
Also have a look at :
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-end-of-pyramiding.15137/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/
It's great that you've come here willing to learn and make life better for your little tort.

 

[Katelyn H]

Does his shell look like it is pyramiding to badly? Also, how do I ensure that the substrate stays moist and humid?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

There is pyramiding, but that can be halted by getting your humidity right.
Pour water into the corners of the enclosure and mix it all in by hand, make sure you have a closed chamber to keep the humidity in, a large water saucer helps as do plants in the substrate. I use spider plants myself.

 

[Tom]

Does his shell look like it is pyramiding to badly? Also, how do I ensure that the substrate stays moist and humid?

Katelyn, all the info on how to set him up properly to avoid making this problem worse is in the threads that are linked to you here in this thread. Its all explained in detail with lots of helpful tips.

Are those links showing up for you on your device? We can link them again, if not.