Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello!
I got a baby sulcata last week and I've been reading many contradicting things about how to take care of them.
Some people say to put a small water dish in with the tortoise but then some people say not to because it'll create too much humidity. I've been soaking my tort everyday in tepid water for 15 to 20 minutes and he seems to love that. But is that enough?

Also, I have questions about substrate. The pet store I got him from said that finely ground pine chips as substrate is fine for sulcata tortoises, but then other people say to stay away from that. What do you recommend?

And when I first got my tort, his skin seemed very healthy, the right amount of moisture, and for the most part its stayed that way, however his skin is peeling a little bit on his head and he keeps scratching the sides of his head by going in and out of his shell. What can I do about this?

And last but not least, his little mouth is getting awful messy after he eats. Soaking doesn't seem to remove all the dirt and I tried to clean his mouth using a wet q-tip (very gently of course) but he doesn't like it obviously and ducks his head in his shell. If anyone has any techniques for cleaning a stubborn sulcata hatchling, I would greatly appreciate it.

Otherwise, he's eating, he's digging trenches, and seems to be happy and healthy.

Congratulations. I have a going on three year old Sulcata.
Well its good you are doing some research although a bit confusing it can be.

Soaking is good for young ones. Everyday is fine you could go every other day too. Water dish is good too. With the skin flaky I might think you want the extra humidity. Which leads into substrate, I just changed out mine for coir fiber aka bed a beast it is so fine that they could eat it and it would pass right through. I buy the bricks at nursery stores instead it is a lot cheaper for the bricks. I set the dry bricks in a lot of water more than it calls for to dilute any excess salts and stuff that is in it from processing, then I just grab it out and wring the water out making a fist. The cage heat lamp dries out the substrate pretty fast. I leave the cage area dry except for the sleep area I try to keep a bit damper, I was told humidity in the sleep area helps form a nicer shell. Tortiose burrows in the wild are a bit on the humid side I was told too.
With the dirty mouth, what is it eating? Mine seemed to have a grass stained mouth a lot when he was younger but not so much anymore. I wouldn't be concerned about trying to clean his mouth.
I wish you good luck with your little guy. I included a pic of my Riley from shortly after I brought him home as a hatcling. He more than covers my palm now!!

That's very helpful, thanks!!

I will definitely switch to the substrate you suggested.
I added a small shallow water dish and sprinkled a little water in his hide box (which has a folded paper towel in it that I change when needed) and he's already doing a lot better. His skin seems much more hydrated, he's even moving around more than he was before! He sure is a lively one, here's a picture of him (he's named Link, by the way):::

They are so cute at that size. I lined the bottom of the cage with newspaper under the coir fiber and Riley has already dug down and shredded the newspaper in his hide area. Obviously not a good idea on that one. For his hide area I use an unglazed clay pot turned upside down with a side broken out the clay pot will hold some moisture too. Mine does seem to like this substrate better than the hay I was using he likes digging in it and it must feel better to walk on.

They are so cute at this age!! I have a 4 yr old, a 2 yr old, and a hatchling.
I used timothy/bermuda as substrate when inside. For the most part they live outside but come winter nights and days were the temps are much cooler they are inside with paper towels and Bermuda Hay/Timothy Hay. I like using the hay for a couple of reasons--1 they can eat it 24/7, and 2 it allows for them to burrow easily and feel secure once they get under the heap of hay. All I have to do is go in and look for the bump in the hay to find them.
I did try the 50/50 peat moss/soil/sand substrate but found the paper towels/hay to be much more convienant. My 4 year old was raised in a hay tank and he eats hay all the time now.

The peeling around the face/head is normal and you'll notice it more when he's dry so keep soaking him like you do--and every other day is fine.

The crustys around the face are normal from feeding--my little ones have it more than my big ones. It eventually comes off. No worries. Have you ever feed Sulcata Gold? Boy oh boy that's messy with torts--I was trying to pick it off my 2 years old face the other day and she kept tucking in so I finally just left it and it eventually all came off.

Remember: Natural Sunlight/heat is the best for these little guys so if you have sunny warmer days than plop him outside with shady areas of course.

Have fun--he's cute!! Looks like he may even had his egg tooth.

Thanks for the advice

Your torts are beautiful, by the way. I can't imagine my little guy getting that big! It's gonna be fun, alright.