Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My current temps are 85 degrees in the cooler side and 90-95 under the basking lamp. The enclosure is a 10 gallon tank, but it seems that she comes out in the morining sits under the basking lamp for a few minutes and then retreats to her little cave. Could it be that the basking lamp is heating up the enclosure too much? I have a thermometer on either side and the temps seem to be accurate, but i'm not sure of the source of required temps. Please help.

Hi there,

First off, a 10gal tank is not suitable for any type of tortoise. Your best bet would be to go to your local walmart or such and buy a 50gal. rubber maid container.

As for temps, your hot spot sounds okay, but you need to let the cooler side get a little cooler. 75 degrees in the cooler area is ideal.

I beleive he is staying in the hide box because it is to warm for him in the cage. He needs to be able to regulate his body temperature. Also, I would recommend that you soak him at least every other day to make sure that he stays hydrated. Hatchlings can become dehydrated in no time flat.

I hope this helps a bit.
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Kelly Wood

1.3 Cherry Head Redfoots

1.2 Brazillian Redfoots

1.1.4 Leopard tortoises

1.1.2 Sandfire Bearded Dragons

0.2 Dogs

1.3 Parakeets

Not to rain on your parade, but there is no way any tortoise can thermo-regulate its body temp in a 10 gallon tank. Kelly's advice is a good one. Go spend $15 and get a 50 gallon rubbermaid, both Wal-mart and Target carry them in stock. That way you can get a temp gradient from 75-95. Add a small hiding place that can be kept at 60-75% humidity level. Be prepared to increase the size of your tortoises pen every 6-9 months as they grow like weeds. In 4 years you should have a 8-10 inch 8-12 pound animal. FWIW, an adult sulcatta needs a minimum 15' x 15' enclosure that has reinforced walls.

Also, and I can't stress this enough, get your sulcatta lots of fiber in its diet. Here's why. When you feed it greens or cactus and the food is coated thinkly in grass or timothy hay it will slow the digestion down enough that the tortoise can extract almost all of the nutrients in the food. It also gives them firm stool, which they need for proper function AND they won't eat as much so you don't end up with a tortoise with a carapace that looks like a hand grenade and costs you a fortune in vet bills.

Anyway, good luck they are great torts.

As with any 'fixed' train of thought this is wrong. You can provide a thermal gradient in a 10 gal tank. I requires some thought but it can be done easily. In fact I recommend that smaller tortoises be kept in smaller enclosures for the first year or 2 for better control. (but what do I know)
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care