Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I'm thinking of picking up a pair or Sulcata Tortoises at the reptile expo next weekend. I have a few questions, can you house them together? male with male? female with female, male with female? Also, how old do they have to be to breed? (not planning on breeding, but wouldn't want any sudden surprises!) Oh, and I haven't been able to find any detailed information on lighting and heating, can anyone point me in the right directions?
Thanks,
-Colin

I dont think there are any problem with keeping mixed sexes together, I have three females and two males living together in harmony. As far as temp, mine have a generic heat lamp at night and during the day they just enjoy the weather, Ive seen them out enjoying it from 60-90. My suggestion is to go back and read the old posts in this section and to get The sulcata bible, _The African Spurred Tortoise Geochelone sulcata in Captivity_ By: Russ Gurley. This is the only book you need when it comes to Sulcata care and all things Sulcata! S.D.

Thanx! I'll have to check out that book. I already have a few extra light fixtures from my BPs, would an infrared light work? Also, I have extra heat pads too, can I use those as well as lights?
Thanks,
-Colin

Yea, the IR is fine I would think, as long as they have a shady place to get out of the heat. They do require natural sunlight though and are best raised out side, If the weather is nice. Make sure you read that book, It is definately a must for any Sulcata owner. I just looked in the cover of mine and it says you can get copys at order@tazonmedia.com. but my first edition came form e-bay and my new copy came from Amazon. Good luck!'

Yeah I'll be looking into getting that book definitely. I'll make a pen outside for them to be in during the day, but They will have a main home inside, for when it gets dark and when it gets too cold outside. Another question, should I give them cuddle bones for calcium, or Rep-Cal Calcium with D3?

Someone recommended to me a book called Leopard and African Spurred Tortoise written by a man named Holger Vetter. It was published in 2005 & it's based on the study of these tortoises in the wild, in Africa.
It's got info on how to keep them as pets but it's got so much interesting info on how they live in their natural habitat. If you're like me & you like to collect several different books on the animals you keep you'd like this book too.
I found it online but I'd think your local book stores could order it if you wanted to get it that way.

There's a few websites on line that cater to sulcata, my personal opinion is that Sulcata Station is one of the better ones for pet keepers.
Here's the URL http://www.sulcstatn.addr.com/index.html
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PHRatz