Re: Hatchling Spurred Tortoise

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Posted by Terry on March 07, 2001 at 10:53:27:

In Reply to: Re: Hatchling Spurred Tortoise posted by Maja Kotarska on March 06, 2001 at 21:23:22:

Hi Amanda,
a 10 gallon fish tank is too small for a sulcata, even a hatchling sulcata.
I know pet stores often recommend fish tanks for tortoises, but they also give out a lot of other bad care info.

As EJ and I think Niki mentioned a large rubbermaid type of container is a better idea. Thery are not expensive and come in a variety of sizes, from Wal Mart or K. Mart.

You need to create a temperature gradient, this is important. There must be a warm side and a cooler side.The tortoise must be able to move at will between the warmer or cooler areas in the enclosure. It can't be kept at one constant temperature.
Around 94-96 in the warm side under the basking light, 75 in the cooler side.
75 overall at night is fine.

This is very difficult to do in a ten gallon fish tank. Small tanks heat up quickly and you run the risk of overheating the tortoise. Another reason to switch to a larger habitat/Rubbermaid.

You must also provide UV lighting for a tortoise that's housed indoors. This is in addition to the basking lamp. UV lighting is a must.

Romaine lettuce is fine to feed but not exclusively, add more variety to your tortoises diet.

Romaine, endive, escarole, collards, dandelion etc. Mix in small amounts of grated carrot or yellow squash.Hibiscus flowers, mulberry leaves, hibiscus leaves, opuntia cactus.
Grazing outdoors on grasses, vetches, clovers and other edible weeds and plants is the best diet though.Make sure fresh water is always available for drinking.

So think about building a nice/large outdoor enclosure for the summer months.

My baby sulcatas outdoor enclosure measures about 15' - 8', he's only 2".
He goes outside during the day and spends the night in a Rubbermaid, I live in a warm climate though. But if you have cold winters keep him in, you can put him outdoors during the day in the summer.

Check out this web sites for enclosure info, edible plants etc:

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

Sulcata Station is linked below.
Terry.

sulcata station.

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Comments:
: : Hi Amanda, : a 10 gallon fish tank is too small for a sulcata, even a hatchling sulcata. : I know pet stores often recommend fish tanks for tortoises, but they also give out a lot of other bad care info. : As EJ and I think Niki mentioned a large rubbermaid type of container is a better idea. Thery are not expensive and come in a variety of sizes, from Wal Mart or K. Mart. : You need to create a temperature gradient, this is important. There must be a warm side and a cooler side.The tortoise must be able to move at will between the warmer or cooler areas in the enclosure. It can't be kept at one constant temperature. : Around 94-96 in the warm side under the basking light, 75 in the cooler side. : 75 overall at night is fine. : This is very difficult to do in a ten gallon fish tank. Small tanks heat up quickly and you run the risk of overheating the tortoise. Another reason to switch to a larger habitat/Rubbermaid. : You must also provide UV lighting for a tortoise that's housed indoors. This is in addition to the basking lamp. UV lighting is a must. : Romaine lettuce is fine to feed but not exclusively, add more variety to your tortoises diet. : Romaine, endive, escarole, collards, dandelion etc. Mix in small amounts of grated carrot or yellow squash.Hibiscus flowers, mulberry leaves, hibiscus leaves, opuntia cactus. : Grazing outdoors on grasses, vetches, clovers and other edible weeds and plants is the best diet though.Make sure fresh water is always available for drinking. : So think about building a nice/large outdoor enclosure for the summer months. : My baby sulcatas outdoor enclosure measures about 15' - 8', he's only 2". : He goes outside during the day and spends the night in a Rubbermaid, I live in a warm climate though. But if you have cold winters keep him in, you can put him outdoors during the day in the summer. : Check out this web sites for enclosure info, edible plants etc: : http://www.turtlecafe.net/habitats.htm : Sulcata Station is linked below. : Terry.

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