Re: what will I need to keep a sulcata

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Terry on November 24, 2000 at 22:30:14:

In Reply to: what will I need to keep a sulcata posted by brian hillman on November 24, 2000 at 18:39:01:

Hi Brian,
visit Sulcata Station (linked below)for lots of good info on sulcatas.
A 4'-8' enclosure should be good for 2 maybe 3 years, after that you'll need to expand it!
Sulcatas are very active torts that require a lot of room.
As hatchlings they're very cute, as adults they are eating, pooping machines.
I would start planting your hibiscus bushes, opuntia, mulberry tree and plantain soon after aquiring your tort.
You can order opuntia, grass mixes and other natural foods from Turtle Cafe:

http://www.turtlecafe.net/habitats.htm

If you have a nice size yard, I recommend planting a Mulberry Tree, my sulcatas love the leaves. It really cuts back on food bills if you can grow food right in your yard (especially when the tort gets bigger)and of course it's healthier than store bought greens.
I feed my group of 4 sulcatas, mulberry leaves, hibiscus leaves and flowers, opuntia ,clover and dandelions from the yard.
They also spend much of the day grazing.

A much better diet and cheaper than store bought foods.

Anyway hope this helps, I don't have a hatchling but a couple of others who post here do. Niki has a young sulcata, so I'm sure she'll help you out.
If you're going to house it indoors you'll need UV lighting etc, I'll leave that to somebody else to explain, since mine are lucky enough to live outdoors.
Best of luck with your new tort and well done on doing some research and getting everything ready, before bringing it home.
Terry.

Sulcata Station

Follow Ups:

Terry, I ordered Teddy an Active UV bulb 160 Watt, $49.00... Niki 11/25/00 (4)
- Re: Terry, I ordered Teddy an Active UV bulb 160 Watt, $49.00... Marissa 11/26/00 (0)
- don't count on getting those bulbs too soon! andy 11/25/00 (1)
  - Yeah, it'll be worth it, let me know when yours comes in. n/p Niki 11/26/00 (0)
- everybody, here's the link (again) to the Active UV Heat... Niki 11/25/00 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: : Hi Brian, : visit Sulcata Station (linked below)for lots of good info on sulcatas. : A 4'-8' enclosure should be good for 2 maybe 3 years, after that you'll need to expand it! : Sulcatas are very active torts that require a lot of room. : As hatchlings they're very cute, as adults they are eating, pooping machines. : I would start planting your hibiscus bushes, opuntia, mulberry tree and plantain soon after aquiring your tort. : You can order opuntia, grass mixes and other natural foods from Turtle Cafe: : http://www.turtlecafe.net/habitats.htm : If you have a nice size yard, I recommend planting a Mulberry Tree, my sulcatas love the leaves. It really cuts back on food bills if you can grow food right in your yard (especially when the tort gets bigger)and of course it's healthier than store bought greens. : I feed my group of 4 sulcatas, mulberry leaves, hibiscus leaves and flowers, opuntia ,clover and dandelions from the yard. : They also spend much of the day grazing. : A much better diet and cheaper than store bought foods. : Anyway hope this helps, I don't have a hatchling but a couple of others who post here do. Niki has a young sulcata, so I'm sure she'll help you out. : If you're going to house it indoors you'll need UV lighting etc, I'll leave that to somebody else to explain, since mine are lucky enough to live outdoors. : Best of luck with your new tort and well done on doing some research and getting everything ready, before bringing it home. : Terry.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ] [ FAQ ]