Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay we got a big sulcatta. Weighs 120 pounds. We set it up in a spare concrete floor room so it can't ruin the floor. I set up uvd blubs and heatlamps. Is there anything I am forgetting with this setup? LEt me know as I am trying to inprove the setup right away

Yes - a lot of things. Don't take this as an attack but:

A tortoise that size should be housed outside most of the year in a securely fenced large area with plenty of natural graze & sunlight & access to water.

A concreete floor is an inappropriate substrate for any tortoise & it is very abrasive on their carapace & nails.

There are a lot of sites with good care info for sulcattas. I suggest you google sulcata for better husbandry information.

Good luck. Large sulcattas can be a challenge for some. They have been known to walk through sheetrock walls, tear down chain link fences & undermine sidewalks, driveways & house foundations with their large tunnels.
Sulcata test

I live in a cold climate. I noticed a aldabra kept at a zoo the same way. I get him and my leopard outside with all the animals as summer hits. I keep grass hay and vegis as well as tortoise chow. He has a lights. The hay he can walk on. I figured its better then just concrete.

Btw no offense taken. I am investing thosands in caging and I am going down the list. Most my animals were given to me. I just shelled out for visions and northwest constrior cages for the retics and boas. The cats and tortoises are next. What works for most keepers of the larger tortoises?

Many old school zoos are notorious for their terrible care of their animals. Some have even lost their acreditation because of similar care. An Aladabra should NOT be on concrete.

I would think a thick layer of hay would help cushion the tortoise but might make clean up more difficult.

How many months of the year will the large sulcata be outside? It REALLY needs to be outside most of the year.

Using lights are a poor runnerup to year round natural sunlight. However if you must use lights you need to do your homework. Not all ***reptile lights*** are created equal. Some do not produce enough UVB to help your big guy - others may actually produce a dangerous spectrum that could hurt your tort or you. You will need a series of lamps for such a large tortoise. Don't be surprised if your electric bill jumps at least a hundred dollars a month when you use the proper amount.

Most people in the cooler areas find smaller tortoises more appropriate. Sulcattas are more appropriate for the warmer areas such as California, Arizona & Texas.

Good luck.
Good source for proper lighing info