Re: white stuff

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Posted by Terry on May 04, 2000 at 13:16:07:

In Reply to: Re: white stuff posted by Emily on May 04, 2000 at 12:53:09:

: I keep her (him?) in a 15 gallon tank with a heating pad and a uv full spectrum light. It is getting pretty hot here now so I limit the time I turn on the heat lamp. I am feeding her mustard greens and turnip greens and I try to soak her often. Also she sleeps a lot. Is this normal? I think she is only around 8 weeks old. Thanks>>>

Emily,
it is probably too hot for the tortoise.
Please try and get a larger enclosure.
A 15 gallon tank is too small and will quickly overheat.
Don't use a heating pad and light, it is producing too much heat for such a small tank.
YOU MUST provide a heat gradient around 72-75 in the cooler end, around 86 in the warmer end.
This is extremely important as the tortoise must be able to choose and be able to go into the cooler end to cool down.
PLEASE, provide a much larger tank and buy two thermometers, place one in each end so you can correct the temps.
Sulcatas become inactive if they are too hot and can overheat and become dehydrated.
Try to add much more variety to the diet also, endive, romaine, red and green leaf lettuce, chicory, escarole, dandelions, fresh grass, hibiscus flowers etc.
And soak the little tortoise about 3 times a week for 10 minutes or so in very shallow ( just up to it's chin) lukewarm water.
tERRY.

Follow Ups:

Re: white stuff/ Care Sheet, PLEASE READ. Terry 05/04/00 (4)
- Re: white stuff/ Care Sheet, PLEASE READ. Emily 05/08/00 (3)
  - Re: white stuff/ Care Sheet, PLEASE READ. Terry 05/09/00 (2)
    - Re: white stuff/ Care Sheet, PLEASE READ/ More Info!. Terry 05/09/00 (1)
      - Re: white stuff/ Care Sheet, PLEASE READ/ One more thing! Terry 05/09/00 (0)

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: : : I keep her (him?) in a 15 gallon tank with a heating pad and a uv full spectrum light. It is getting pretty hot here now so I limit the time I turn on the heat lamp. I am feeding her mustard greens and turnip greens and I try to soak her often. Also she sleeps a lot. Is this normal? I think she is only around 8 weeks old. Thanks>>> : Emily, : it is probably too hot for the tortoise. : Please try and get a larger enclosure. : A 15 gallon tank is too small and will quickly overheat. : Don't use a heating pad and light, it is producing too much heat for such a small tank. : YOU MUST provide a heat gradient around 72-75 in the cooler end, around 86 in the warmer end. : This is extremely important as the tortoise must be able to choose and be able to go into the cooler end to cool down. : PLEASE, provide a much larger tank and buy two thermometers, place one in each end so you can correct the temps. : Sulcatas become inactive if they are too hot and can overheat and become dehydrated. : Try to add much more variety to the diet also, endive, romaine, red and green leaf lettuce, chicory, escarole, dandelions, fresh grass, hibiscus flowers etc. : And soak the little tortoise about 3 times a week for 10 minutes or so in very shallow ( just up to it's chin) lukewarm water. : tERRY.

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