Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just aquired a Sulcata. How often should I be feeding my 10" male Sulcata. Been feeding him every other day but he seems very hungry.

How old is your Sulcata?
Both my Sulcatas lives outside (4 year old and a 2 year old) they have access to grass and hay 24/7 and spend a lot of time grazing on grass which is good--it's what you want them to do.

Once a week I feed my 4 year old a few Mazuri pellets (maybe 4-6 pellets) and I supplement with Calcium and Vitamins powder. Sometime I'll grade some carrots over the top or use the frozen kinds..they love it. My 2 year old Sulcata and my 1 year old Marginated get 2-3 pellets 2-3 days a week and I also dust with supplements and grade some carrots. Other than that--they are all natural. I keep hay available all the time, and break it up for smaller eating for my little Marginated.

I think the more natural the better...some people grow grasses and weeds in containers and feed that, I have grass in the backyard but a few months ago I put down "Tortoise" seed..so it has a mixture of grasses and clovers and weeds that grow.

Can you please tell how much much a 3 month old hatchling should be eating? I put mine outside each day in a little pen, but it doesn't seem to be eating much. I also put various weeds/grasses from our yard in the habitat, supplemented with some romaine, but he doesn't eat much. Should I be concerned? I soak it daily and provide a UVB light when inside. The temp. in the habitat stays about 80 degrees on the warmer side. An info. will be greatly appreciated!

It sounds like your on the right track--the heat/sun does a lot of stimulating with appetite so it's best to keep them warm. But make sure they have access to shade/cooler spots as well. I keep my basting area for my 1 year old when he's not outside between 92-95 degrees.

I picked up a food scale at the grocery store a few months ago and weigh/measure my torts (especially my 1 year old) on a regular basis..keep track.

Grazing on grass, weeds, clovers, and edible flowers is ok all the time..just don't let them get to spoiled on salad mixtures. I had a hard time weaning my 1 year from salad mixtures since I thought that was the best way to go--it wasn't.

Since than, I've started with Mazuri and they love it. I was told to feed a hatchling tort 1-2 pellets a day, soak it in water, it turns to mush pretty quick. Dust with calcium/vitamins a few times a week (very little)...and just make sure the little guy is gaining weight..you should be okay.

Thank you so much for the help. I do feel better, and I will pick up some scales. He seems to sleep sooo much. I've been checking on him during the night (it's 2:32 a.m. right now
Is it normal for a 3 month old to sleep most of the time? I'm very new at this and trying to learn what I can.

I'm fairly new as well..but I keep doing more and more research every day. This is a great website to get information from.

Yes it is normal for them to sleep (especially at 2:32 am) LOL---They actually spend quite a bit of time burrowing (or trying to burrow). I think they say about 95% of the time is spent burrowing. My 2 outside only come out in the morning from like 6-9 to eat and get some sun, and they are usually in the their dog houses burrowing until about 6pm at night. They come out and eat a little more for about an hour or 2 and back in for the night.

I think it's important to make sure and have the heat and the UBD lights on him during the day...but always make sure there are cooler spots so the little guy can get away as well. I keep my indoor lights on my 1 year old on a timer. If he's inside you'll want to make sure there's heat at night as well. I have a theremoter that I can put around the cage so I always know how hot and cool certain parts of his enclosure are. I picked it up at Petsmart for like 8.00 dollars. It's handy.

Also be careful that your heat lamps are away from anything that may cause a fire (dry hay etc). Those red heat lamps get very hot!!

Your tort is a beauty. Is it a leopard? It looks very healthy. I'm attaching a picture of Toby Keith . He is much happier being outside today. Ohio finally has a little sun. Thanks for your help!

Sorry. Couldn't get picture. Not sure how to post a pic. here.

I know it's a little confusing. Took me awhile to figure it out.
Send to my home e-mail Dawgcr@cox.net

Toby Keith, what a cute name!! Murphy is a Marginated (thought he was a baby Sulcata 1 year ago) LOL. He was found wandering in the streets.
He's about 1 year old in this pic.

Oh also don't forget to soak him--if he's a hatchling soak him in water maybe every other day for about 15 mins or so. He will probalby got potty in his water and that's normal. Everytime I soak Murphy he goes potty.