Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, I was wondering what would cause pyramiding in young (4" sulcata tortoises. Also, what is the benefit and use of providing timothy hay for them? Do they actually eat it? I know some people use it as a substrate, but it gets moldy so quickly.

Pyramiding is caused by a combination of insufficient heat and hydration with a possible connection to nutritional imbalance... simple.

The primary concern is keeping the animal warm with a temperature range of 80 to 100 F with water available at all times and soakings daily to every other day for tortoises under a year. If you throw in a varied diet to these conditions I can promise a good looking tortoise.

Any hay is really suitable as a substrate for Sulcata but I don't think the type really has anything to do with it's molding properties.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Timothy hay can comprise the majority of a Sulcatta's diet. It's not just a substrate, it's a source of food that the animal can graze on at its liesure. It is best to use a variety of grasses, however, such as Oat hay, small amounts of Alfalfa, as well as others. These grasses naturally posses the correct amounts of nutrients, and are closer to what the tortoise would naturally eat in it's native environment than preparted foods or supermarket produce. They promote proper digestions and physical development as well.