Re: suclata housing info HELP!! ASAP!!

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Posted by tcc on April 04, 2001 at 18:49:30:

In Reply to: suclata housing info HELP!! ASAP!! posted by chelo sicat on April 04, 2001 at 18:00:40:

: i have a baby sulcata (carapace is about 3 inches in width) i have him in a 10 gallon tank with a full-hood fluorescent light on top and a heating pad. i want to change the tank to a 20 gallon and the cover to a screen one. can i still use the fluorescent light (the light fixture detaches from the enclosed full-hood cover) since i had a 10 gallon or do i need to buy a new fixture? also, if i use the fluorescent light how do i hang it above the tank since i want to get a screen cover? should i keep the heating pad (does it provide enought heat? zoo-med brand) or is above head heat better for the sulcata? what fixture do i buy if i change to above head heat? ceramic? incandescent? i've never had a tortoise and i need examples for a healthy habitat. please explain in great detail. pictures of sulcata terrariums would be very helpful. HELP!!! thnks sulcata experts. :)

Hi Chelo,
Its my understanding that these tortoise absorb overhead heat far better then belly heat.
Does your tortoise have enough room in this enclosure so that when you put in a basking area that it can have a cooler end around 75? 84 just isn't warm enough for proper metabolism but its dangers to up the heat much more with out the ability to thermoregulate ( have a cooler end to move to). Also I always leave water accessible for my torts to drink at will.

If your tort is healthy, I would allow for an overnight drop in temps about 15 degrees cooler then during the day (I don't let mine go cooler then 65 degrees) If your using a heating pad, unless you set a thermometer directly on top of this, you wont really know the true temp he is at night. never use a pad under a heat source, ok?
Im pasting some links to help you locate a good vet ok?
tcc

Picking A Reptile Vet
http://www.sonic.net/~melissk/pick_vet.html
Herp Vet Connection
Vets recommended by their clients
Melissa Kaplan's page:
http://www.herpvetconnection.com/
The CTTC
http://www.tortoise.org/general/vetlist.html#OR
Herp Societies, Reptile Vets and Rescue Groups:
http://www.sonic.net/melissk/society.html#United%20States
Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians:
http://www.arav.org/index.html
Trisha Powers Website:
http://www.icomm.ca/dragon/canrepvt.htm#links
Herp Vet Connection:
http://www.herpvetconnection.com

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: : i have a baby sulcata (carapace is about 3 inches in width) i have him in a 10 gallon tank with a full-hood fluorescent light on top and a heating pad. i want to change the tank to a 20 gallon and the cover to a screen one. can i still use the fluorescent light (the light fixture detaches from the enclosed full-hood cover) since i had a 10 gallon or do i need to buy a new fixture? also, if i use the fluorescent light how do i hang it above the tank since i want to get a screen cover? should i keep the heating pad (does it provide enought heat? zoo-med brand) or is above head heat better for the sulcata? what fixture do i buy if i change to above head heat? ceramic? incandescent? i've never had a tortoise and i need examples for a healthy habitat. please explain in great detail. pictures of sulcata terrariums would be very helpful. HELP!!! thnks sulcata experts. :) : Hi Chelo, : Its my understanding that these tortoise absorb overhead heat far better then belly heat. : Does your tortoise have enough room in this enclosure so that when you put in a basking area that it can have a cooler end around 75? 84 just isn't warm enough for proper metabolism but its dangers to up the heat much more with out the ability to thermoregulate ( have a cooler end to move to). Also I always leave water accessible for my torts to drink at will. : If your tort is healthy, I would allow for an overnight drop in temps about 15 degrees cooler then during the day (I don't let mine go cooler then 65 degrees) If your using a heating pad, unless you set a thermometer directly on top of this, you wont really know the true temp he is at night. never use a pad under a heat source, ok? : Im pasting some links to help you locate a good vet ok? : tcc : : Picking A Reptile Vet : http://www.sonic.net/~melissk/pick_vet.html : Herp Vet Connection : Vets recommended by their clients : Melissa Kaplan's page: : http://www.herpvetconnection.com/ : The CTTC : http://www.tortoise.org/general/vetlist.html#OR : Herp Societies, Reptile Vets and Rescue Groups: : http://www.sonic.net/melissk/society.html#United%20States : Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians: : http://www.arav.org/index.html : Trisha Powers Website: : http://www.icomm.ca/dragon/canrepvt.htm#links : Herp Vet Connection: : http://www.herpvetconnection.com

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