Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My name is Richard Grape and I would like some evaluations and help in making all the right decisions for my sulcatas.

I now have 4 sulcatas and was wondering if i could get some feed back from those here on the forum. Here's everything...

I purchased two hatchlings in the spring of 2000. They were born right at the turn from Dec to Jan. They're names are Einstein and Newton. Starting with the wrong info, I continued them on Romaine for the first year. I kept them in a 40 gallon breeder for two years (which I know is wrong and have recitifed my mistake by then building them first a 6ftx3ft enclosure and now a current 8ftx2ft enclosure soon to be upgraded to a 16x2ft enclosure) Then I found this forum. At which point I switched them to a hay diet, which they rejected for about a month or two. But eventually accepted. I have since then kept them on a hay substrate which I change reguarly and whitness them eating all the time. I have given them proper UVB via zoo med repti sun since I first got them, have been giving them cuttle bone (which i watch them eat reguarly). I also sprinkle reptocal when I offer them greens. For the past two years I have occasionally (once every two weeks or so) offered them either chickory or endive or dandelion greens. I have also offered them lilly flowers which they eat greedily. They have had very different growth rates. Einstein is now 1150grams, while Newton is only 590grams. About two months ago I planted grass trays and have been feeding cuttings in addition to they hay for the past 1.5 months. I have a large quanitiy of mazuri for them, and they eat it when offered after its been soaked, but i noticed that it grows mold rather quickly so am hesitant to leave it there too long (but they dont eat it at once, but perfer to pick at it over a time period) Einstein has noticable pyramiding but Newtons is much less (very minimal) I am concerned because they are soo small compared to what Ive read about others, I want them to grow properly and I know they did not have the best start, but want to do anything I can to get them on the right track. I have kept them in the teperature rage of 65-110 farenhight. I soaked them daily when young but now thats its winter do so every week and a half. Can anyone help set me straight? I care greatly about my animals and want to know what else I can do.

I now have two additional hatchlings born in Oct 2003 Darwin weighs 107g and Galileo 75g, which are in they're own separate 4ftx2ft enclosure w/uvb and hay. They are eating well and have been vet checked. I am making sure that they have no contact with the older two. I have them in a 75-105 zone and they move about at will. I want to make sure that NO mistakes are made with them. I have been feeding them, in addition to hay, grass clippins which they eat. I soak them once a week, but dont leave any standing water.

I know that sulcatas are a big and expensive commitment, and I am prepared to do whatever I can for my tortoises. I have the money and space avilable for them. I currently reside in NJ so they are confinded indoors during the winter, but have not yet attempted them in an outdoor enclosure. I plan to build one this spring. I know that some people may criticize me, but I ask for constructive criticism and actual HELP. I appreciate anyone who has taken the time to read this and who offers they're advice.

Reguards,

Richard K. Grape, Jr.

Hi Richard,

So far everything sounds good to me. I am sure someone else will jump in with more info though.

Anyways, I would recommend leaving a water dish in the enclosures all the time. They will readily drink from them and they will do it quite often.

Do not worry about the growth difference as that is quite normal also. As far as the pyramiding goes, there is alot of debate about what causes that, so I will not ever go there.

One thing someone will probably suggest, is to set up a warm humid hide box to which the sulcata will then have a choice, but I will leave that up to you. I did that for my Leopards, and they got a URI from it. So, on that note, to each his own.

Anyways, I am sure others will jump in, but so far everything sounds good to me. I hope this helps a bit and I am glad that there are people like you out there who care so much about the health and care of their torts.

Best of luck to you.
-----
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

sounds OK. I don't leave standing water outside either. I would
just feed the Mazuri as a "feed" like a dog or fish would get,
eat it now, and/or in 10 minutes it's gone until next time.
Teddy knows this, and yours will learn, I wouldn't leave the
Mazuri in there to be picked at. Your growth rates are different
for the same reason everyone elses are different. Possibly different
sex of animals, genetics, dominance in basking/feeding if housed
together, different levels of activity and just plain because
they're DIFFERENT! Don't worry about it, but chart it if you
choose to. take care, niki