Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Sulcata is about 2 months old or so.

I was wondering about the substrate, He is on paper towels right now and is doing fine. I want to move him to a soil/sand mix and was wondering what was best.

I have a few brick's of eco earth laying around from some of my other reptiles, would this work? Or would it be best to use some kind of top soil?
and about the sand, is the sand a must? if so, what's the mix ratio? 3/4's soild, and 1/4 sand?

and also, i have repti calcium with D3 by Zoo med. I havent gave him any yet but would this be a good calcium supplement for a young Sulcata? (it looks to have a red footed tortoise on the front) http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/EntryDetail.php?SearchID=4&DatabaseID=2&EntryID=2

thank you all in advance.

Soil or soil/sand mixture is best for sulcatas, as it gives them ample opportunity to burrow. My advice on sand is to not include to much in the mixture, as sand does not pass through a tortoise's digestive system so well, if at all. I simply use a topsoil mixture, but I've had equal success in the past using a one to five ratio of sand to soil (a ratio that already exists in most desert soils).

Where do you live? Depending upon this answer, you can design a protected outdoor pen. There are several articles on this site that cover construction of such a pen. Should you require further info regarding this, simply post another query.

T.G.

I live in souther San Diego. Very close to the boarder.

I have Eco earth, would that be ok to use instead of top soil?

and for now im keeping him indoors until he gets a little bigger

thank you

>>My Sulcata is about 2 months old or so.
>>
>>I was wondering about the substrate, He is on paper towels right now and is doing fine. I want to move him to a soil/sand mix and was wondering what was best.
>>
>>I have a few brick's of eco earth laying around from some of my other reptiles, would this work? Or would it be best to use some kind of top soil?
>>and about the sand, is the sand a must? if so, what's the mix ratio? 3/4's soild, and 1/4 sand?
>>
>>and also, i have repti calcium with D3 by Zoo med. I havent gave him any yet but would this be a good calcium supplement for a young Sulcata? (it looks to have a red footed tortoise on the front) http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/EntryDetail.php?SearchID=4&DatabaseID=2&EntryID=2
>>
>>
>>thank you all in advance.

Make sure you have a UVB light for D3. Just the repti calcium powder isn't enough. I use repti-glo 5.0 or 10.0 from Exo-Terra.
-----
Cliff

My Collection:
2.2 Eastern Box Turtles
0.1 Ornate Box Turtle
0.0.1 Desert Ornate Box Turtle
1.1.1 Redfoot Tortoises
2.1 Russian Tortoises
1.0.1 African Sulcata Tortoises
1.0 Burmese Python
0.1 Virginia Opossum
1.0 German Boxer
1.0 Pit Bull
1.1 Chihuahuas

Hi Surfsup!

Are you able to baby proof a pen and put him outside away from predators? For babies I've seen quite a few people use the plastic kiddie pools (they can't climb the wall) and put wire over the top to keep birds out. Outside is really what is best for these little/big creatures. It's very easy to do - plastic kiddy pool, fill with sand/soil/dirt mixture--offer water, plants, shade, edible plants flowers/grasses/hay - and you can leave him outside all day long as long as there is sufficient shade and sun access. You can even leave him outside weather permitting - which should if you are in San Diego. Nothing stimulates these guys better than the natural sunlight. If you offer him the outdoors he would be much happier/healthier. Baby proof pens are easy to make and can be quite fun setting up.

For awhile I actually used a potting bench for 2 baby Marginated torts....I wanted them up off the ground and found a potting bench that worked perfect!

dawgcr,
Thanks for your advice.
He's been outside lately for most of the day. If i'm out he's roaming the yards. If not, I've had him in this plastic tub that is very long so he had a lot of room to roam around. Its predator safe and has hides etc.
thans for the heads up. And as soon as possible im planning on building a permanent home for him outside.

and to everyone else, thanks for the words. Ill post a pic of him soon.

surfsUP!