Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everybody, I'm a newbie to the forums . My boyfriend bought me a hatchling Sulcata Tortoise for Christmas not knowing how large they grow, but I've been reading everything I can and fully plan to keep him even as he grows to quite a large proportion. I have about 2 acres of yard for him as well. Currently he is in a 10 gallon tank with Bermuda grass as substrate, a constant supply of water and a bowl of assorted foods including Germanium leaves/flowers and rose petals. I haven't seen him eat any of the grass but it's possible he has. Also, I currently don't have a UVB light so I take him and his entire tank outside for it's been exceptionally warm and bright outside the past couple days and he seems to enjoy it very much, is this okay for the time being? But anyway, here's my real question.. LOL

What size enclosure should I buy for him? Although I hear tortoise tables are the way to go, I wanted to buy something along the lines of a vision cage (not necessarily one in particular, but a nice reptile cage and not a glass aquarium nonetheless) and fashion it inside similarly while he's in it, and then when he moves outside I'd be able to put another critter in it. My question is, is this a feasible plan? And what size would I need to buy to keep him comfortable until he's big enough to live outdoors fulltime? I live in the southern portion of central Florida so we only have a few real cold days out of the year, and his outdoor pen would have a heated roomy shed. Should I go with my plan, or just build a tortoise table and buy another cage on my own time? If so, what size would be adequate?

Thanks a lot!
-Shannon

it is incredibly dangerous to take the tort outside INSIDE of his glass aquarium! please, stop doing so at once. the reason, is what scientists call the 'greenhouse effect.' that means, that the glass of the aquarium will cause the temps within to soar. that combined with poor circulation can lead to an extremely dangerous situation.

if you want to take him outside, just let him roam in the grass. you will have to watch to be sure that he doesn't get himself into trouble, or that no predators can get at him.

good luck.

Oh wow, I had no idea... thank you very much!

Also.. he has a bit of dirt in between his scales and on his face from the pet store, what can I do to gently clean it off with? I don't want to irritate him. Thanks!

hi there,

that is an easy one. just use a q-tip/cotton swab, with the end dipped in warm water. try to be quick about it as baby torts are very sensitive about things near their heads.