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My Sulcata is not far from hatchling age maybe 4-5months. He has a planted environment with a high quality grass seed it is kentucky, creeping fiscue, and a few others. He also gets 2-3 soaks per week, dandelion greens, endive, escarole and nastursiums. He has a 5.0UVB and heat lamp he is in a 20long aquarium.

He is not very active for most of the day. When he is he eats and then goes into his half log or sits next to it with hsi head in the corner.

I am worried because it seems his shell is beginning to get a little soft and I know that is HORRIBLE....

PLEASE HELP!!!!!

get a fecal test if he feels sick, whatabout calcium supplements? da problem with fake uvbs is that they last as good as me dandellions...should take him out to da beach more often on days like this...

>>My Sulcata is not far from hatchling age maybe 4-5months. He has a planted environment with a high quality grass seed it is kentucky, creeping fiscue, and a few others. He also gets 2-3 soaks per week, dandelion greens, endive, escarole and nastursiums. He has a 5.0UVB and heat lamp he is in a 20long aquarium.
>>
>>He is not very active for most of the day. When he is he eats and then goes into his half log or sits next to it with hsi head in the corner.
>>
>>I am worried because it seems his shell is beginning to get a little soft and I know that is HORRIBLE....
>>
>>PLEASE HELP!!!!!

Increase the soakings to daily for a while. Get the temperature up to 85 to 90 in the tank.

See if you can get some Calcium gluconate (sp?) and add that to the soakings.

Then... hope for the best. The first year is a tough one if you can get past it.

>>My Sulcata is not far from hatchling age maybe 4-5months. He has a planted environment with a high quality grass seed it is kentucky, creeping fiscue, and a few others. He also gets 2-3 soaks per week, dandelion greens, endive, escarole and nastursiums. He has a 5.0UVB and heat lamp he is in a 20long aquarium.
>>
>>He is not very active for most of the day. When he is he eats and then goes into his half log or sits next to it with hsi head in the corner.
>>
>>I am worried because it seems his shell is beginning to get a little soft and I know that is HORRIBLE....
>>
>>PLEASE HELP!!!!!
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Ed,

His tank is at about 98 on one side and about 83 on the other.... i give him calcium on his greens.... I will look into the calcium you suggested and get it in his soaks... for now can I add my powdered calcium to his soaks??

Thanks so much I joined the yahoo group as well.... I am so worried about this guy I don't want to loose him! I am replacing my UVB bulb this week as well so hopefully...... ugh!

Lenae

I've had mine for 7 yrs, always under fake lights. No issues. I do change them every 6 months & he gets outside for an hour or two (more on the weekend) April - Oct if the weather is warm enough (70 /dry/full sun).

When I think something is going on with him I crank the heat (make sure he can get cool if he wants to, give him some vitamins on his greens. When he was little & there were no issues with respiratory infections - I increased the number of soakings too, thinking that the more he evacuated the better. I never added anythign to the water - just made sure it was warm to my touch & took him out as soon has he drank & went to the bathroom.

I'd get him out of the planted set up - mine ate (and still eats) everything - there might be something in the tank with him that isn't something he should have....

my .02

my

I'd get him on dry hay too - too many greens gives mine gas and too soft stools...keep him on hay as a stubstraite & only give greens as a treat once or twice a week.

What do you bed yours on? I am doing okay with ours right now he is eating but not very active at all... he seems to be more active at night. I did get him a new light that is better UVB and it seems to do a little better with him btu I am not sure yet. I guess we will see in the long run... Thanks

Lenae