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 #2056529


Reptyelfreek
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 Substrate

So I was preparing to upgrade my sulcata to a bigger cage and also a better substrate. But right now I have him on timothy hay because its easy for him to bury in and move around and he likes to eat it. When I feed him I just spread his food out. He likes to graze anyway so I figure he likes to eat this way also. So when I upgrade him I was thinking of doing the whole sand and soil substrate but I was worried that if I still feed him the same way he will eat the substrate and become impacted. Should I start using a dish when I upgrade him or should I not worry hoping that he’s smart enough? Any opinions?
08/13/09  10:08pm

 #2056822


Heatseeker
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   Message To: Reptyelfreek   In reference to Message Id: 2056529


 Substrate

OK do you have a baby or juvi tort? Its hard to keep up the humidity that they need when they are on hay for a substrate. Plus it molds if it gets wet and that could be very bad.
You can use:
cypruss mulch by itself
50/50 or 70/30 sand/organic soil or sand/cior (bed a beast) I like the 70/30 combo so that there isn’t too much sand.
I also added peat moss mix in to mine under where the hide is to help keep the moisture up.
some people use aspen shavings but I am not sure how they keep the humidity up on that either unless they provide a moist hide of some sort.
Try feeding off of a large rough tile (floor tile) or flat stone - this will help keep him from eating the substrate and keep his beak trim.
I have some other rocks that i have made like ramps with (not too high) in with mine since they love to climb and it helps keep their nails trim, plus keeps them from getting too bored. I used bricks to create a hide and I keep 1/2 the substrate moist on that side of the enclosure. I just put water on it everyday or so and mix it in, the top layer dries but it stays moist down inside. Without humidity they can get pyramiding and have other health issues.
08/14/09  11:43am

 #2056882


Reptyelfreek
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   Message To: Heatseeker   In reference to Message Id: 2056822


 Substrate

Well he’s a baby... and funny thing is he doesn’t spend that much time in there. It’s probably cuz its tooo smal but he just always wants out. So he occasionally sleeps in there and maybe eats in there. But he spends alot of his time wakling around the house. Well maybe it’ll be up to him and what he likes. I think I’ll try out the 70/30 sand and soil and lots of moss first. Did you have to go buy the moss from the pet store of is there a way to get it from the wild and santize it or dry out all the bugs? I live in washington and there is alot of moss around here
08/14/09  01:58pm

 #2056976


Heatseeker
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   Message To: Reptyelfreek   In reference to Message Id: 2056882


 Substrate


Peat moss is different then spagnum moss. I think you are thinking of spagnum moss which you can get on-line or from pet stores, maybe even garden centers. I went with peat moss which is in the garden center like at walmart or home depot. Its more like a dirt mix kinda, holds moisture real well. But you can use either. I am not sure about the moss you’d find outside... I am from WA too (but not there now) so I know what your talking about but I just don’t know if i’d be ok to use or if it might harbor parasites and stuff??? Its not really fluffy like the spagnum moss so I don’t think it’d work for burrowing in. Also you may need to check some plant lists and see if it is safe incase they eat it. Heres a couple websites. One has a plant list on it.
http://www.sulcata-station.org/basics.html
http://africantortoise.com/sulcata.htm
So does your little guy get outside time? If he isn’t in his enclosure much and if he isn’t ouside at all then he’s not getting UVB rays. Yes if his enclosure is small he will get bored and sit and try and get out. Another reason I add hides and rocks and things in mine. Keeps them busy climbing and stuff :)

here’s one site that has moss and some edible pond plants that they like (duck weed), you can even buy dandelion seeds on there. I’m sure you can find a few more if you do a search :)
http://www.carolinapetsupply.com/catalog/
08/14/09  04:20pm

 #2057876


Reptyelfreek
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   Message To: Heatseeker   In reference to Message Id: 2056976


 Substrate

Yea he gets out side all the time... And he’ll do like two days out of his cage nd two nights in. Then like three days and nights out and then a few in. Then I try and at least get him outside at least 15min. a day depending on the weather of coarse (seattle). But I can definetly tell when he needs cage time cuz he doesn’t move for like 6 hours out side of his cage. I’m gonna try your suggested web sites and I was wondering if you grow your own grasses? Or if anyone does for that matter...
08/15/09  09:34pm

 #2057900


Heatseeker
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   Message To: Reptyelfreek   In reference to Message Id: 2057876


 Substrate

I’m in az and renting for now so no I don’t have grass, but I plan on moving in the next yr or so (hopefully back that way, I miss the PNW). Mine are tiny right now so I have a bit of time. But yes lots of poeple grow their own grasses, weeds and other plants for food. Heres another forum where there are a lot of Sulcata owners all over and some from your area too. I like to get as much info as possible so I am on a few different forums :)
http://tortoiseforum.org/
There is a sulcata tab and lots of other info as well on here.
08/15/09  10:27pm

 #2057951


Reptyelfreek
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   Message To: Heatseeker   In reference to Message Id: 2057900


 Substrate

Yea as much as the PNW is not the place to have reptilev(love arizona, but boyfriend will never move down there) but i try my best to provide the most natural for little marlin. Thanks for all the sites.



08/16/09  12:12am

 #2058100


Heatseeker
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   Message To: Reptyelfreek   In reference to Message Id: 2057951


 Substrate

LOL thats funny... I want to leave AZ and you want to move here, hehe. Well it has its good points. I just miss the green grass and trees and being close to water and everything.
Your welcome for the sites. I’m sure I’ll see you around on the other forum as well - On there I am Pepper :)
08/16/09  10:24am


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