Housing

The best way to house your tortoise is in an opened top tortoise table. This allows good ventilation and good temperature gradients creating hot and cool spots necessary for a healthy tortoise.  (see page on tortoise tables for more information.)

The enclosure size should be as large as you can make it. It should be noted that this type of tortoise (and tortoises in general) are not suited for a 'vivarium-type' enclosure such as a fish tank or glass aquarium, and should be housed in an open top tortoise table. 

Heating

The best way to provide warmth for your tortoise is with a basking bulb from above, as it replicates the natural heat from the sun.   The temperature directly underneath the basking lamp should be 32-34* c.  The cooler end of the table should be approx 22-25*c with a night time drop in temperature to no less that 15*c .

Lighting

A fluorescent full spectrum UVA/UVB bulb is necessary for the proper development of your tortoise, from hatchlings through to adult, and should always be provided, along with a basking bulb for heat.   UVA/UVB is necessary for the tortoise to produce Vitamin D3, which aids in calcium utilisation for healthy shell and skeletal growth.  

Substrate

It is important for your tortoise to be able to burrow. In the wild, Sulcatas spend 85% of their time in scrapes and burrows.   Make sure you have a good substrate in your enclosure. Sterilise top soil, readi- grass or  timothy hay are ideal. However, please don't use just sand.  This can irritate their eyes and it is not good if eaten.  It is also important to provide a shelter or an area for your tortoise to hide. You must place the hide box in the 'cool area' of the enclosure and not near the heat source.  The  Sulcata is an active tortoise during the day and should be provided with enough space in the enclosure for it to exercise and walk.  


Diet

Sulcatas are grazers and need a high fiber and low protein diet. The majority of the Sulcata's diet should consist from a variety of grasses, with some weeds. Please remember, some weeds are poisonous so always check before feeding. NEVER give iceberg lettuce, this has no nutritional value at all and consists of mainly water.  Approximately 70% of the diet should comprise of grasses, and 30% should consist of weeds, flowers and clovers.  Do not offer items such as chard, spinach, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower or beans . Fruits should be fed sparingly if at all. 

Feeding

Do not overfeed your sulcata.  If given the opportunity, they will constantly eat. If juveniles are overfed, or fed as much as they will eat, they can grow far too quickly, causing 'pyramiding' and bone problems.  A slow, steady growth is the key to a healthy tortoise.

It is important to sprinkle your tortoises food with Limestone Flour and Nutrobal. This must be added to the food approximately 3 times a week. This will provide your tortoise with extra calcium needed for healthy shell and bone development.


Bathing

It is important to bath your tortoise to keep it hydrated.  Hatchlings need to be bathed daily, juveniles need to be bathed at least 3 times per week.  Even as adults they need to have access to water where they can sit and soak.


NEVER KEEP DIFFERENT SPECIES OF TORTOISES TOGETHER.


How to care for your sulcata ...   

General Information

Sulcata tortoises (Geochelone Sulcata) are the largest of the mainland tortoises and are native to the Sahara desert region ranging from Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Chad, Sudan and Ethiopia.

Newly hatched tortoises typically measure 1-2 inches. When fully grown, they can measure up to 3 feet and can weigh up to 150 pounds. They can live for over 100 years if cared for properly. This species of tortoise does not hibernate so they cannot be kept outdoors where the temperature drops below 70 degrees or they will freeze to death. Hatchlings under 2 years should not be kept outdoors. A very strong enclosure will need to be provided when adult.