Re: pyramiding/protein Long Post

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Posted by Kathy on June 29, 2000 at 14:32:05:

In Reply to: pyramiding/protein posted by EJ on June 29, 2000 at 11:47:19:

EJ-
I have 2 sulcatas that are approximately 2 years old. They are *extremely* pyramidded. Some of the pyramids measure about 1" tall. I purchased them from a sulcata hobbyist (not really a breeder for $) approximately 6 mos. ago. At his residence, he kept approximately 30 sulcatas between the ages of 6 mos. to 3 years in an outside enclsoure measuring approximately 10x15 feet. They had an underground burrow, a shaded 'house,' and a basking lamp in the winter. The did not have free access to water. They were mainly fed alfalfa (high protein), dog chow, and veggies every now and then.

Now, the torts have the entire run of my pretty good sized backyard. The choose to eat mainly bermuda, but every now and again will choose the rye grass, hibiscus leaves and flowers, clover, and weeds. I also offer tomatoes, cucumbers, and pumpkin from the garden. I just planted a tort garden, with seeds from the Turtle Cafe and will be opening that up for them in a couple of weeks. Once a week I give them a 'salad' with grated carrots, romaine, mustard greens, etc., sprinkled with multivitamins and calcium. They have free access to a water dish, cuttlebone, and many hide boxes throughout the yard. They prefer making scrapes underneath the bushes during the heat of the day. Our temps range from 38 to 110 degrees. Some wierd stuff: They love dog poop and will 'race' to get it before I can pick it up. They love to 'play' in the sprinkler. I've never seen them, NEVER, drink from their water dish. Instead they prefer to drink from puddles. They've never burrowed, or even attempted to burrow.

They have both been vet checked and, other than the pyramidding and treatment with flagyl for an URI when I first purchased them, have been healthy. But the amazing thing is, they are 'ironing' out. Especially one -- she's growing faster than the other, and with her new growth I can see a marked difference in the shell. I imagine that over time the pyramidding will decrease greatly. I don't hope for a completely smooth shell, but I think since they are still so young, I can, with proper diet and sunlight, erase alot of the problem.

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: EJ- : I have 2 sulcatas that are approximately 2 years old. They are *extremely* pyramidded. Some of the pyramids measure about 1" tall. I purchased them from a sulcata hobbyist (not really a breeder for $) approximately 6 mos. ago. At his residence, he kept approximately 30 sulcatas between the ages of 6 mos. to 3 years in an outside enclsoure measuring approximately 10x15 feet. They had an underground burrow, a shaded 'house,' and a basking lamp in the winter. The did not have free access to water. They were mainly fed alfalfa (high protein), dog chow, and veggies every now and then. : Now, the torts have the entire run of my pretty good sized backyard. The choose to eat mainly bermuda, but every now and again will choose the rye grass, hibiscus leaves and flowers, clover, and weeds. I also offer tomatoes, cucumbers, and pumpkin from the garden. I just planted a tort garden, with seeds from the Turtle Cafe and will be opening that up for them in a couple of weeks. Once a week I give them a 'salad' with grated carrots, romaine, mustard greens, etc., sprinkled with multivitamins and calcium. They have free access to a water dish, cuttlebone, and many hide boxes throughout the yard. They prefer making scrapes underneath the bushes during the heat of the day. Our temps range from 38 to 110 degrees. Some wierd stuff: They love dog poop and will 'race' to get it before I can pick it up. They love to 'play' in the sprinkler. I've never seen them, NEVER, drink from their water dish. Instead they prefer to drink from puddles. They've never burrowed, or even attempted to burrow. : They have both been vet checked and, other than the pyramidding and treatment with flagyl for an URI when I first purchased them, have been healthy. But the amazing thing is, they are 'ironing' out. Especially one -- she's growing faster than the other, and with her new growth I can see a marked difference in the shell. I imagine that over time the pyramidding will decrease greatly. I don't hope for a completely smooth shell, but I think since they are still so young, I can, with proper diet and sunlight, erase alot of the problem.

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