The Sulcata tortoise also refers to as the African Spurred tortoise, and how big do sulcate tortoise get kept as pets. Sulcata’s Hatching ranges between 1.5 and 2 inches in length; they can gain 5-10 pounds per year with the right conditions. Seniors can reach over 100 lbs. Furthermore, how big do sulcate tortoise get can live between 70 to 100 years in captivity.
We are going to see
- Sulcata tortoise enclosure
- Lighting & temperature
- Sulcata tortoise humidity
- Sulcata tortoise diet and food
- Soaking Sulcata tortoise
- Sulcata tortoise behavior
Enclosure
In the wild, they use pits as a way to escape the heat and absorb water. Several other desert species will also take their burrows to escape extreme temperatures.
Their dens can reach depths of 10 feet. The soil density is significant for their natural behaviors. If the soil is harsh, they will not dig, and if the soil is too loose, their burrows loosened.
They need to house indoors until they are large enough to escape predators.
After they reach two or eight inches in size, they moved to an outdoor barn with plenty of soil to carry out their natural burrow-digging behaviors and have enough grazing space.
When transporting them outside, it is essential to include a well-insulated hideout box 100 square feet with 12-inch to balance and avoid predators walls and UVB lighting also an Eco ground and sand.
Although this turtle grows slowly, it is best to start with a massive aquarium because it will still overtake smaller ponds relatively quickly.
It is crucial to have a 50 gallon glass tank for the first year. Plastic basins and turtle tables are also suitable.
After their first year, they must move to an outdoor enclosure.
The outdoor enclosure should be at least 100 square feet and have walls at least two feet long and one foot deep. Sulcatas are very strong, so fences must construct securely. You can use cinderblock molds to improve wall stability.
How big do sulcate tortoise get are avid climbers, so their enclosure should contain tree trunks, rocks, and other features to extend their range.
A shallow water dish is another fine addition.
We do not recommend misting because it originates from hot, arid climates. However, you should provide a shallow soaking dish or soak it in shallow water at least twice a week.
Sulcatas get big fast! They are the third-largest tortoise globally, and they live in the hottest, driest region of the continent. So it’s essential to keep your Sulcata in similar environmental conditions.
Keep Sulcata tortoise outdoors only if they have a dry, heated shed for use at night and during wet weather.
It is more satisfying to make a more spacious space, such as your backyard. If you have moist clay soil or wet weeds, dig and remove about 2 feet of this material. Replace it with flat stones covered with a layer of gravel, then a layer of sandy soil.
Sulcatas are active and robust animals. They love to climb, roam, and burrow, so the enclosure should be sturdy enough to hold the tortoise. The walls should be higher sufficient not to let how big do sulcate tortoise get escape. Also, construct the wall from concrete, cinder blocks, wood, or other solid building material. The fence should even bury enough below ground. Setting up the pen’s interior with mounds, rocks, logs, and other items can help provide shelter. Make it more enjoyable for your tortoise. Cover The enclosure with some tires and hardware cloth for protection.
How big do sulcate tortoise get is prone to respiratory and other disturbances if kept in moist environments. Consider adding some rocks, branches, plants, and other structures to hide behind and maintain their interest in outdoor enclosures.
Since tortoises roam vast amounts of land, they always like to be busy and explore.
Lighting & Temperature
Sulcata tortoise can control its body temperature. It requires UVB light to process calcium and produce vitamin D3.
If housed outdoors, it will get the required UVB from direct sunlight.
For indoor containers, you necessitate a UVB light source. Since Sulcata tortoise also demands a sun lamp, it is possible to purchase light bulbs that produce heat and ultraviolet rays. Buy a container cover that can hold the necessary sun bulbs and UVB lights.
How big do sulcate tortoise get needs a daytime temperature of 85 to 95 degrees and an insolation area greater than 100 degrees. Also, a humidity of 40% to 60%, with their young requiring nearly 60%. Utilize a hygrometer to monitor humidity.
You have to keep the ambient room temperature in the 80-95 °F range with nighttime temperatures. You should also provide a 100-degree sunbathing spot at one end of the enclosure. Use a good-quality thermometer, such as a Zoo Meds digital thermometer or Exo Terra’s thermometer to see the temperatures in your cage. Sulcata tortoise needs UVB light to help appropriately process calcium and manufacture vitamin D3.
Since they cannot expose to natural sunlight in our homes, we must provide UVB light in a unique lamp designed to produce UVB rays. Keep in mind that the best lamps are mercury vapors such as Exo Terra’s Solar Glo Lamps, ZooMed’s Powersun, or incandescent solar lights. These bulbs provide heat and UV rays all in one bulb. In addition to that, use different (thermal) reclining bulbs and UVB lamps. If you use these, you will need the Zoo Med 10.0 or Exo Terra UVB 150 kit.
Humidity
Even though the how big do sulcate tortoise get comes from a hot, dry region, it needs clean water daily. In an outdoor container, this could be in a bowl or large shallow tray that they would climb into it. A Sulcata tortoise often drinks and defecates simultaneously, so it is crucial to change the water daily. Rock dish Flukers is gentle, non-porous natural bowls. Although these turtles come from a dry climate, they often dig in burrows where they are wet. Providing a damp shelter for these turtles is a good idea. To mimic the moisture they will get from being in the burrow. Depending on the size of the Sulcata tortoise, you can use different things for your wet hide. Put some moist algae in your damp skin. New studies show that having a moist covering can also help prevent dandruff.
Sulcata tortoises prefer a humidity level between 40 and 55 percent. Too high humidity can lead to a fungal infection and other problems. If you want to raise the humidity, gently spray the turtle bowl once or twice daily.
Diet
Heavy grazing, Spur Thighs are herbivores and require a vegetarian diet. The bulk of their food should be coarse: weeds, grass hay (from bails or chips), timothy hay, clover, and the like. All of these sources should be free from herbicides and pesticides. Use calcium powder and vitamins like Repashy Superveggie, add a little calcium with D3 to your bottle, and dust the veggies with this mixture (every feeding). Sugerveggie formulates for everyday use and is very palatable over green foods.
Ditch your vegetables with a wet Mazuri turtle diet and gourmet turtle food from the zoo. Limit fruits, vegetables, and other high-moisture foods to occasional snacks. Once your turtle is too big and heavy to pick up, these rewards will help lure your pet to move where it wants to go. Sulcatas are not carnivores, so avoid feeding them meat.
Babies do not have a healthy bite to chew hay and dry herbs. Provide them a mix of fresh herbs and greens like kale and kale mixed with the Mazuri Wet Diet or Zoo Med gourmet turtle food.
Sulcata tortoise is a herbivore they like to eat a variety of herbs and plants. They should eat different types of greens such as Spring blends, Kale, Collard greens, turnip greens, Orchard grass hay, Mulberry leaves, and grape leaves.
Fundamentally, 95% of grass and weeds as daily intake should be from the herbs mention above and herbs. Fruits and vegetables should not be a significant ingredient in Sulcata tortoise food. Sometimes watermelon and pumpkin peel are excellent remedies.
Adult how big do sulcate tortoise get will spend most of its day grazing in the yard. It is important not to treat your grass with pesticides or fertilizers because these can be toxic to turtles.
Sulcata tortoise diet supplemented with commercial pellets, but most of their nutrition should come from fresh greens and grass.
Calcium is an essential nutrient that a beginner can mistakenly overlook.
A Sulcata tortoise receives calcium from the roots, soil, cut bones, and snail shells. You can either give them calcium supplements or cuttlefish bones. If you choose to provide them with a calcium supplement, use it two to three times a week and make sure it doesn’t contain too much vitamin D3 because it can be harmful.
Sulcata tortoise can’t consume very high water consumption. However, ensure your pet gets enough water. You can soak the veggies daily for a few minutes before feeding them.
You have to proffer them a bowl of shallow water, as you should clean it often as they tend to defecate in it. It is essential to soak your turtle in warm, shallow water twice a week for at least 15 minutes to keep its skin healthy.
Soaking Sulcata tortoise
Whether you are indoors, outdoors, or both, you will have to soak your Sulcata, not only for hygiene but also for proper hydration and waste removal. Three times a week for 25 minutes should be sufficient for an outdoor tortoise, but you may need to soak more often in the warmer months. Indoor turtles should be suitable for washing twice a week.
· Utilize a tank large enough for your tortoise to turn in but not climb out. Also, use your bathtub, but be sure to disinfect it afterward to protect yourself from germs completely.
Apply warm water for a healthy tortoise and slightly warm water for dehydration.
· To prevent drowning, never fill water after his nose when his head fold.
· Never leave your tortoise in the bathtub while filling it up. It’s easy to forget what you’re doing, and Sulcata tortoise will drown. You do not want to leave them in the shower either, as this may cause a bowel movement, and the feces will clog the drainage and overflow into the sink.
· It’s okay to leave your adult turtle alone in a safe, shallow amount of water. However, children should not leave unattended, and you should examine adults often.
· For especially soiled tortoises, you can smoothly clean and exfoliate their legs using an old soft toothbrush. Yet, don’t use any soap – just water.
Behavior
Sulcata tortoise adores moving around corners because it is potent. In general, the Sulcata tortoise should have a large area to roam freely and at a wide range. The Sulcatas need to hide from the heat. They do this by retreating to their platforms or into the mud where they will stay for hours and flipping the cold soil on their backs.
Whether indoors or outdoors, Sulcatas are craving eaters. Like many turtles, they are also climbers. You must take care of your Sulcata tortoise to ensure that it cannot climb over steep objects, causing it to fall. If it turns on its backs and is unable to turn back, it may die.
You need to keep dangerous things out away from the Sulcata tortoise area. Stairs, dogs, raccoons, and children are among the dangers to watch out for; Sulcatas are voracious, if not always smart, eats, and will swallow anything small enough and colorful enough. They are providing versatility and safety. Turtles do not bask on open ground. Provide a group of sturdy, low-growing plants that can crowd them. Provide an exciting foundation by leaving some low-lying sediments, smooth rocks, bits of wood, clumps of weeds, and succulent plants.
Last Word
African Sulcata tortoise has an outstanding personality when maintained. It lives for decades, and it appears to become quite attached to its owners. Most of them will survive longer than their owners if given proper care. They require a vast environment, spinach, greens, sunny weather, and water to drink and soak.