Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all

I may need to rescue a few Salcs this weekend. A guy here says he does not want them anymore as his grandchildren are not interested. He has no desire to "deal" with them..his words...

he bought them as babies and now they are 1 yr old. So they are still "small".

He contacted me to take them off his hands. I plan to do so to make sure they are eating well and being properly cared for.

Any suggestions for "quick" cages? Would large rubbermaids work? One for each? What would be a good substrate? Are there any pre-made foods I could get quickly that would work?

Heating and light are no problem as I can easily get bulbs and have a lot of UVB bulbs still in their packages.

I am very new to these guys, but want to foster them until I am sure they are healthy. Any help you can provide will be VERY appreciated!

thank you

50 Gallon Rubbermaid will work short term. 6 months or so at best.

Go to www.sulcata-station.com for other ideas.

Substrate, 50/50 topsoil/play sand mix.

There are no premade foods for Sulcata's. The closest would be Ectotherm's Grassland Tortoise Yummies (you can get them at Turtlecafe.com or many other places). They are moist, made from Timothy Hay, Bermuda grass, blue stem, dandelion, and opuntia cactus.
they will work as long as you make them only 25-30% of the diet. Look for a good grass supplier as Sulcata's should have a 75% grass, 25% lefay green diet.

Good luck. They are one hardy tortoise that grows like a weed when the husbandry is correct.

How many is “a few?”

How big is this project going to be for you?

heh - sorry - a few meaning 3.

I doubt they will be around for more than 6 months. I think maybe 3 to 4 would be about right.

WOuld grass from a feed store be a good food source? Could that be used as a substrate? If I went with the soil I assume daily spot cleaning with weekly total cleaning?

I was thinking of buying 4 containers. 3 55gallons and one sweater box...6" tall max...to be a bath when needed. I know not to fill it too high. I have window screen so I can make lids for the 3 55s and place the heat lamps above them easily.

thanks

-adam

Are you going to foster the little guys and then put them up for adoption?

I would be really interested in giving one a good home. I am always willing to open my house and heart to a unwanted animal.

Either way, please keep us posted on the progress of the "rescue"

Kelly Wood