Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a baby sulcata, which I was told at the time of purchase was 6 months old. Its about 3-4" I think though I havent officially measured it. It weights about 6.25 oz, and is eating very well and very active.

The only thing that I am not sure about is its feces. With as much food as its eating (about 1-1.5 cups of chopped grasses, carrot tops etc) it doesnt seem to be pooping that much. there is always a little every day, but I would just have been expecting alot more of a mess.

Is it possible/normal for sulcata to metabolize grasses down from what appears to be very large volumes to very small volumes of poop? Or is there possibly a problem? I am assuming because she is still active and eating very well that she is healthy, but she is my first tortoise in 10 years and my first sulcata so I have no idea what to expect really.

Any help or opinions would be appreciated.

Adam

I would say as long as its pooping every day then not to worrie. But if it stops pooping then i would get it to a vet asap.

I soak my little guy, who is about 4" across every other day for about 10 min in luke warm water. He often defecates during the soak. My much large redfoot gets a biweekly soak and she always defecates when soaked.

Also keep in mind that tortoises often eat their own and the feces of other tortoises.

A few thoughts anyways
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Adam
http://anraviary.cjb.net
0.0 African Sidenecked, 0.0 Northern Diamondback Terrapin, 0.1 Redfoot, 0.1 Sulcatta, 1.0 Western Hognose, 1.0 Crested Gecko, 0.1 Mali Uromastyx

I agree with soaking. Mine seems to be more likely to "go" when he is in the bath. Must be the warm water.

Okay well unless anyone else thinks there may be a problem I will just stop worrying about it. I have been soaking her about every 3rd day with a shallow water dish that she can fit into in her enclosure at all times. So far she hasnt taken to deficating in the water though I have heard that is common. Thanks for the fast replies.

Adam

this sound convenient and probably is when they're small,
but I wouldn't suggest encouraging it at all. Sulcatas will
become large animals and "soaking" them involves spraying
them with a hose and letting them wallow in mud puddles,
or a 2-man wrestling show in an oversized bathtub and
6 towels followed by 14 containers of Ajax even if the tub
is ONLY for the tortoise. You certainly don't want them
crapping in the water, so don't even start that. It's
not necessary either, mine never ever did this.

I do strongly suggest you find a way to get yours outside,
it's summer now and they need to be outside in the sunshine
not sitting indoors in a tank.

They either do or don't when you soak them. Mine does occasionally.
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Adam
http://anraviary.cjb.net
0.0 African Sidenecked, 0.0 Northern Diamondback Terrapin, 0.1 Redfoot, 0.1 Sulcatta, 1.0 Western Hognose, 1.0 Crested Gecko, 0.1 Mali Uromastyx

My sulcata (almost 7 yrs old) has a small pond available for his soaking pleasure outside and he still will "let loose" in it at times. I don't think of it as poor training, but as a normal, healthy response. Yes, it's a minor pain to clean, but lot's of things in life inevitably are. (My parrots, who are usually a joy, are far more work than Tofu is)

np

Somehow I don't think they are gonna make the connection. They poop when they have to poop with little regard for where they are.

Right now I have mine in a large rubbermaid tub outside during the day and inside at night. I have to get a free weekend to build her enclosure but that will happen soon. I wouldnt keep her just inside though, I dont think thats right.

not much poop huh? want to visit? Don't worry, soon your
eyes will pop and you'll be astounded that THAT MUCH POOP
can be created by anything other than an elephant.
Mine eats only grasses outside and gets occasional greens
and Mazuri maybe once a week. His poop looks like grass
rolled up into a cigar shape (big cigars).

that you're feeding if you were to take it and compact it down,
it's probably fluffed with lots of air in between it as
compared to the amount of grasses they can consume in an evening
of grazing outdoors. The grazing outside is important as this
effort of getting the grass out keeps the growth of their beaks
in check and is more natural then eating grass that just offers
no resistance. You could feed on an upside down shallow ceramic plant
saucer to give some beak wear.