Buying a Sulcata checklist

You decided to buy a sulcata! The next thing to do before making your purchase is to get EVERYTHING ready for your new baby sulcata. You should have the container fully set up and running to be sure all the temperatures are correct and you have everything running perfectly to ensure the best success possible. This article is just a quick refence. Please put the intellectual investment into your new pet. There are tons of resources available online and in book form.

First, what are you buying? Sulcata tortoises are the third larges tortoise in the world! They start out as tiny little guys and gals, only one or two inches, and grow up to 200 lbs. This is very important to know. There is no way to limit or prevent a sulcata from growing up to its adult form. Limiting habitat size or diet are old wife’s tales. So plan for a habitat that will be able to house your full grown pet once they reach adulthood.

Habitat: This is where success is one or lost. A proper habitat will grow a healthy happy sulcata with a much lower chance of dieses and health problems. Any time a sulcata makes a visit to the vet for any reason, the first questions the vet will ask is about the habitat. Temperature, humidity, and lighting are the biggest factors.

                Temperature should run 80-85 with a cool area around 78 if possible. The cool area could be a hide or corner of the habitat that is farther from the heat source. The area directly under the heat source can be up to 90. It is critical that the baby sulcata can move around to regulate their temperature. A ceramic lightbulb can be a great heat source that you can adjust by increasing or decreasing the distance from the habitat.

                Humidity: Yep sulcatas live in the most arid parts of the world with very little rain or running water. Just because they can survive harsh environments does not mean you need to replicate them. Always have a small water dish available. The depth should not exceed the top of the tortoise’s head when in the dish. They must be able to get in and out of the dish with ease. This water source will help increase humidity in the enclosure. Humidity helps develop a healthy shell and skin. Soaking for a sulcata is great way to flush the digestive tract and hydrate.

                Lighting: UVB is an absolute must for a sulcata to live. The ultraviolet light in a UVB bulb allows for proper skin and shell growth. Without ultraviolet light your animal may get metabolic bone disease. You can purchase incandescent or florescent lights. These are not the heat source.  Change out the light every 6-8 months even if the light appears to be working fine. The UVB output drops over time.

Now you are ready to buy a baby sulcata!