What substrate is best for a sulcata tortoise?
Sulcata tortoises live in arid places in the wild and will do well on a variety of dry substrates in captivity. Forest Floor™, Eco Earth® and ReptiSand® can all be used as substrates. It is important to offer your tortoise both dry and humid areas within their enclosure.
Can you keep a sulcata tortoise outside?
You should keep your tortoise outdoors only if they have a dry, heated housing shed for use at night and during wet weather. A heated doghouse, for example, can work for this purpose. Sulcatas are active and strong animals. They love to climb and burrow, so the enclosure should be sturdy enough to keep the tortoise in.
How deep should tortoise substrate be?
The substrate should cover the floor area to a depth of about 5 cm (2 in), particularly since tortoises like to burrow down into it.
Can you use hay for tortoise bedding?
You can use either straw or hay as tortoise bedding but they require more maintenance than some of the other preferred bedding materials.In particular, straw or hay as tortoise bedding must be kept dry so that it doesn’t become mouldy as that can make your tortoise sick and attract pests to the enclosure.
Is it OK to leave my tortoise outside at night?
What temperature can I put my tortoise outside? We don’t often see these kinds of temperatures in the UK so therefore the outside temperature must be warm and they should not be subjected to damp, cold and windy conditions. Do not leave them out after sun down or at night.
When can my sulcata live outside?
We start moving our sulcatas outdoors when they hit 2 years of age. For their first outdoor year, we bring them back inside on cold nights that drop below 55 degrees. At 3 years of age, they stay outside permanently and are provided a hot house in their pen.
What kind of bedding is best for a tortoise?
Sphagnum moss is the best bedding for moisture absorption and humidity, both of which your tortoise is going to need in order to grow healthy. It’s best placed under hides, since hatchlings will prefer to spend their days inside shelter. Thanks to their high absorption abilities, it’s also good at absorbing odor.
What’s the best substrate for tortoises?
Popular indoor substrates for tortoises include coconut coir, soil & coconut coir mix, organic soil, and peat moss. Popular chip type substrates include fir / orchid bark, cypress mulch, and coconut husk chips. Also shown is sphagnum moss which is very soft when damp.
Do outdoor tortoises need a heat lamp?
Does a tortoise need a heat lamp at night? In most cases, overnight heating will not be required for your tortoise, unless the room temperature gets too cold. If this is the case, it may be better to use heating so that a temperature of around 15-18°C (60-65°F) can be maintained overnight.
Can sulcata tortioses eat apples?
Yes , a tortoise can eat apple skin as long as it is pesticide-free. Apples should, however, be fed in moderation as they have a high sugar content that will affect the tortoise health negatively if fed in excess. Can sulcata tortoises eat apples? Yes, sulcata tortoise can also eat apples.
What do I need for a baby sulcata tortoise?
Soak your baby tortoise in water a few times a week. Tortoises need to stay hydrated, especially when they are young. When you first bring home your tortoise, you should soak it in water a few times a week, so it feels fully hydrated, making sure to keep its head above water.
Can sulcata torotoises hear?
Although very small, they do have ears, but only hear low frequency sounds. They have an excellent sense of smell along with a sensitive patch near their mouth called a “Jacobsen’s Organ” that further aids their ability to locate food and the opposite sex. Sulcata tortoises are very intelligent, curious animals.