Sulcata Problem

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Posted by Dan on December 16, 2000 at 05:53:23:

I have a Sulcata hatchling that we have had for a month now. At first he was kept in a 10 gal aquarium with Calci-sand as a substrate, but last week we built a larger enclosure and use some kind of Zoo-Med reptile bark chips as a substrate. On the sand the little fellow (Travis), was doing fine. Now I notice he seems to be rubbing at his eyes now and then, and his eyes seem like he can't open them. After I give him a nice soak, his eyes open, but they don't look as good as they did before. Also, his appetitie seems to be down. In the old tank he ate like a pig, now it is so-so. I do think I had the new enclosure too warm. I had the under-tank heat pad, a 150 watt heat emmitter, and a 150 basking bulb all on at once during the day. I have 3 thermometers in the enclosure, one read 90, one under the basking light read 120 (but if I felt where it was it didn't seem that hot, then in the cooler spot it was about 75. I think this is too hot, so I removed the basking bulb and put in a 40w.

What do you think, is it the substrate, the heat, or do I have a sick Sulcata?

Thanks,

Dan

Follow Ups:

Re: Sulcata Problem Dan 12/19/00 (0)
Re: Sulcata Problem Georgia 12/16/00 (0)
Re: Sulcata Problem TortNurse 12/16/00 (10)
- Re: Sulcata Problem Dan 12/16/00 (9)
  - Re: Sulcata Problem TortNurse 12/16/00 (8)
    - Re: Sulcata Problem Dan 12/16/00 (7)
      - Re: Sulcata Problem Eric S. 12/17/00 (1)
        
        Yeah, about that Calci-sand stuff Esther 12/17/00 (0)
      - Re: Sulcata Problem TortNurse 12/16/00 (4)
        
        Re: Sulcata Problem Dan 12/16/00 (3)
        
        Message for Dan from Leo Leo 12/16/00 (2)
        
        Re: Message for Dan from Leo Eric S. 12/17/00 (1)
        
        Re: Message for Dan from Leo Marissa 12/17/00 (0)

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: I have a Sulcata hatchling that we have had for a month now. At first he was kept in a 10 gal aquarium with Calci-sand as a substrate, but last week we built a larger enclosure and use some kind of Zoo-Med reptile bark chips as a substrate. On the sand the little fellow (Travis), was doing fine. Now I notice he seems to be rubbing at his eyes now and then, and his eyes seem like he can't open them. After I give him a nice soak, his eyes open, but they don't look as good as they did before. Also, his appetitie seems to be down. In the old tank he ate like a pig, now it is so-so. I do think I had the new enclosure too warm. I had the under-tank heat pad, a 150 watt heat emmitter, and a 150 basking bulb all on at once during the day. I have 3 thermometers in the enclosure, one read 90, one under the basking light read 120 (but if I felt where it was it didn't seem that hot, then in the cooler spot it was about 75. I think this is too hot, so I removed the basking bulb and put in a 40w. : What do you think, is it the substrate, the heat, or do I have a sick Sulcata? : Thanks, : Dan

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