Re: Sulcata baby not eating, will die soon I'm afraid!!!!

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Posted by Terry on January 27, 2001 at 20:17:17:

In Reply to: Sulcata baby not eating, will die soon I'm afraid!!!! posted by Kendoko on January 27, 2001 at 13:25:06:

You need to get him out of the 10 gallon tank, it's too small to create the heat gradient he must have. ( A cooler side and a warmer side).

Buy a Rubbermaid container,one that's at least a foot and a half long.
If you use the heat pad under the Rubbermaid, only use it under one third of the Rubbermaid.
Make sure there is a towel between the heat pad and the Rubbermaid and never have the pad set higher than the LOW setting.

DO NOT try to get temperatures of 100 degrees in the 10 gallon tank.It's too small and there is little or no air circulation in a tank. The whole tank will quickly heat up way too hot.

But in the Rubbermaid go for 90-94 under the heat lamp, with a cooler side of around 75-78.There MUST be the cooler side, in the cooler side place the hut and water dish.

You can use the heat pad for overnight, only under one third of the Rubbermaid. Then during the day you can turn the heat pad off and the heat lamp on.

DON'T mist the Rubbermaid, sulcatas need an arid environment, not a moist, humid one.
You can soak the tortoise though to keep it hydrated and help it to pass stools.Soak in shallow lukewarm water ( not hot). Soak it every other day, or every three days for around 10-15 minutes. The water should only come up to the very bottom of his chin.

Some wood chips/shavings are toxic, I believge pine and cedar are so maybe change the substrate.

Feed a variety of leafy greens, not just one type.
Romaine lettuce, endive, dandelion, chicory, escarole you can add grated yellow squash to the greens.Feed the tortoise at the same time every day, about an hour after you turn the heat lamp on. He'll have time to warm up and get used to the routine.

Hope this helps, make the changes and let us know how it goes.
Rubbermaids are not expensive but are a much better choice than a fish tank.
Visit Sulcata Station for lots of sulcata info, I've linked it below.
Terry.

Sulcata Station.

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: : You need to get him out of the 10 gallon tank, it's too small to create the heat gradient he must have. ( A cooler side and a warmer side). : Buy a Rubbermaid container,one that's at least a foot and a half long. : If you use the heat pad under the Rubbermaid, only use it under one third of the Rubbermaid. : Make sure there is a towel between the heat pad and the Rubbermaid and never have the pad set higher than the LOW setting. : DO NOT try to get temperatures of 100 degrees in the 10 gallon tank.It's too small and there is little or no air circulation in a tank. The whole tank will quickly heat up way too hot. : But in the Rubbermaid go for 90-94 under the heat lamp, with a cooler side of around 75-78.There MUST be the cooler side, in the cooler side place the hut and water dish. : You can use the heat pad for overnight, only under one third of the Rubbermaid. Then during the day you can turn the heat pad off and the heat lamp on. : DON'T mist the Rubbermaid, sulcatas need an arid environment, not a moist, humid one. : You can soak the tortoise though to keep it hydrated and help it to pass stools.Soak in shallow lukewarm water ( not hot). Soak it every other day, or every three days for around 10-15 minutes. The water should only come up to the very bottom of his chin. : Some wood chips/shavings are toxic, I believge pine and cedar are so maybe change the substrate. : : Feed a variety of leafy greens, not just one type. : Romaine lettuce, endive, dandelion, chicory, escarole you can add grated yellow squash to the greens.Feed the tortoise at the same time every day, about an hour after you turn the heat lamp on. He'll have time to warm up and get used to the routine. : Hope this helps, make the changes and let us know how it goes. : Rubbermaids are not expensive but are a much better choice than a fish tank. : Visit Sulcata Station for lots of sulcata info, I've linked it below. : Terry.

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