Weird question on hatchling care

[DaniH]

Ok I didn’t really know where to put this so this seemed like a good place to start.
Alright so I’ve been reading a lot on care for sulcata hatchlings lately because my husband and I have been contemplating getting one. One of the other things I’ve done a ton of research on was box turtle hatchlings mostly out of curiosity. I know that box turtle hatchlings need tons of protein and sulcatas need barely any so I’m taking that part out. But other than protein is the care basically the same? High humidity and high temperatures and lots of soaking and water and lots of food. I guess maybe most babies need to be kept that way but since I’ve been doing research on these two different ones it made me kind of curious.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings...

I would say there are many differences....especially in diet, and required (minimum) temperatures.

Not sure if you read this info under the Box Turtle section..Especially on optimum diet and temperatures..

• https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/box-turtle-hatchling-care-sheet.97144/

Have fun. Happy Torting

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

in a gross sense I agree with your overall conclusion. Don't underestimate the need for protein, baby animals need it to grow. I use 12 to 16% total protein in the diets and with enough water they do well. Protein metabolites need water so they can be excreted. The dry matter content of protein in the shell is 50% for juvenile tortoises. 40% is mineral content.

 

[Pastel Tortie]

Box turtles can swim. Box turtles also need a water dish they can get into and out of easily, so they can soak themselves. Also keep in mind that box turtles are capable of eating in water, and quite a few seem to prefer it that way.

 

[DaniH]

You know I think I need to pay more attention to what I’m reading or think about things before posting because looking back and reading what everyone has said the differences in care are rather large. Oh well maybe I’ll sleep good tonight and be able to think clearer tomorrow

 

[TechnoCheese]

Be sure to give these a read
How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0 https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php...ealthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/

For Those Who Have a Young Sulcata... https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/For-Those-Who-Have-a-Young-Sulcata....76744/

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

 

[Tom]

The diet is different, but the other main thing is that sulcatas are a tropical species and need it warm all the time, day and night, year round, while box turtles are a temperate species which need a drop in night temp and seasonal changes for their temperatures and light cycles.