Getting a baby sulcata, need some pointers.

Originally Posted by Floof

Thanks, Michael. And, yes, bok choy is one of those to avoid. I've actually taken to using "safe foods" type lists designed for bearded dragons and iguanas to help with figuring out what greens are good and what ones are not so good. There are a few things you need to remember when looking at them, mainly the fruit issue as fruit isn't as bad for igs and beardies as it is for torts, but overall they're pretty good references for the purpose. Greenigsociety.org's Food Chart is a good one, as is Beautifuldragons.com's Nutrition chart.

Maggie, great to hear you're prepared for the adult size! As for soaking, I'd say do it once a day to every other day. Hatchlings are VERY prone to dehydration, and you want to do all you can to prevent it. Once a week soaks aren't really going to ensure he's still drinking and soaking on his own the rest of the week. By forcing him into the water for 15-30 mins a day, you at least make sure he's getting enough water even if he isn't using his water dish as he should.

How high should I fill the water? and how warm should it be?

To, or just slightly above, where his carapace (top shell) and plastron (bottom shell) meet--the "bridge." On my 2.5" juvie leopard tort, this usually ends up being around 1/2 an inch. As for temp, I'd try to keep it around 85-90F. I usually start at 95-ish, then stick the tub under his basking lamp and "experiment" with where to put it in relation to the lamp until it's keeping a steady mid to upper 80s in temp. Then just leave it for 20 minutes or so.

Originally Posted by Floof

To, or just slightly above, where his carapace (top shell) and plastron (bottom shell) meet--the "bridge." On my 2.5" juvie leopard tort, this usually ends up being around 1/2 an inch. As for temp, I'd try to keep it around 85-90F. I usually start at 95-ish, then stick the tub under his basking lamp and "experiment" with where to put it in relation to the lamp until it's keeping a steady mid to upper 80s in temp. Then just leave it for 20 minutes or so.

Ok, that sounds good!

I just wanted to give you another very good forum to check out, http://tortoiseinfo.org/. It is a fairly new forum, but most of the members are breeders and have been keeping tortoises for a long time.

It does have excellent info on sulcatas & several other species. The folks over there are very helpful & friendly. Good luck with your new little one, I look forward to seeing pics of it.