Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What would be the right aquarium size for two small sulcata about 2.5 to 4 inchs. Thinking about a 55 gallon aquarium would this be good.Also would like to know if any one keeps them in Newjersey. If so how do you houses them in the winter time. Thanks

Actually an aquarium won't work out very well because when a sulcata can see through the walls of his or her enclosure he/she will spend all it's time trying to get out. They'll walk around & around which would be good exercise but the dangerous thing about it is they'll try to climb out. When they do that they can flip over on their backs & you could come home to find them either in bad shape or not breathing.

Tortoise tables are a better way to go with youngsters who need to live indoors.
Here's a URL for instructions on how to build them:
http://www.sulcstatn.addr.com/housing.html

If you can't build one of these then a large Rubbermaid storage box or a plastic wading pool for kids.. something that they can't see through would be better than using a glass aquarium.
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PHRatz

As Ratz said a tank isn't the best. An appropriate sized enclosure should be at least 48" long and 18" wide, and that won't last you very long. If you are going to build something make it as big as you can so it will last a little longer. If you are going to go the rubbermaid route they do make large ones that are about that size (48"X18". If you have to use a glass tank, a 75 gallon would be minimum and you will want to put a background around the sides and back, and you can put about 5 or 6 inches of it along the bottom of the front so the tort can see out. You will also want to point a small fan into the tank to keep air circulating through it.

Another option is to get a kiddie pool, someone else on this board is keeping their sulcatas in a kiddie pool for over the winter I believe. Just remember what ever you choose to have the appropriate lighting and have it secured so it doesn't start a fire.