Stunted growth for a sulcata?

Question

I had received it from somebody who had it in a 10 gallon tank (which is horrible), with no uv lamp or anything. I'm worried 'cause he is only 4 inches long and and about 3+ width. The tortoise was purchased as an impulse buy in 2004-2005 area. The turtle has no parasites and is not pyramiding and is quite healthy (had a vet check him out) other then the stunted growth. Can i cure him and will he still grow? What can i feed him. He's in a 20g tank for now with a hiding area, a 100w baskinglight with uva and uvb rays. I feed him romaine, he only eats it i bought him the monster diet but he does not eat it. What can i feed him to make him grow faster? Will he always be small or can he catch up? I also would like to breed him when he's older will it be possible.

Answer 1

He is not likely going to be a good candidate for breeding. The sulcata market is going to crash and burn; these tortoises get too big for anyone who doesn't have acres of land and they aren't going to be worth it to breed; they're already showing up in rescues now. I have a 50 pounder I got for $50 from an animal shelter. They are destructive as hell; I've had to replace several pipes he has walked through and he's downed my fence before, and he's still little.

He probably can catch up if you feed him appropriate foods. Timothy hay, grass hay, wheat grass-these are good staple foods. You can also feed them dandelion greens, mustard greens, cactus pads, squashes, zuchinni, etc.

You want to minimize the amount of fruit and high water content food you give him. If you live in an area that is warm enough, build him a secure outdoor pen so he can get real sunshine and graze on real grass.

check out the yahoo group tortoise trust, and the website sulcata-station.org

Answer 2

Here is an excellent care sheet for Sulcatas. Your guy has been very neglected. It is not too late to save him, but I wouldn't even think of breeding him until you see how he responds--this could take many months if not years. The 20 gallon is far too small. You need at least a 75 or build a tortoise table. They need room, and a proper heat gradient. You need both a heat lamp and a reptile UVB bulb, both left on for 10-12 hours a day and at the correct temperature/distance settings. Do not attempt to make him "grow fast". Just feed him a balanced diet (see care sheet) and let him recover naturally. Don't forget good quality vitamins as well.

Answer 3

no longer lots the coffee, as a results of fact the processing of coffee and different aspects present in basic ingredients and drinks we would take exhilaration in. And the impacts of CAFFEINE can do greater advantageous than basically stunt develop. Moderation is the biggest to heading off section impacts. fairly being careful for the period of and basically till now starting to be pregnant.

Answer 4

Will, probably can breed them.