sulcata tortoise care infographic

This infographic is a guide on “How to Take Care of Sulcata Tortoise,” including aspects of habitat, diet, temperature management, and health issues.

Taking care of Sulcata tortoise includes:

• Ensuring a spacious habitat.
• Maintaining and replicating the temperature and environment.
• Feeding the tortoise a balanced diet with necessary supplements.
• Taking care of its physical and mental health.

Ensuring a Spacious Habitat:

• For an indoor habitat, a 50-gallon tank is recommended, or custom-built 18″x18″x12″ enclosures. Outdoors, a minimum of 100 square feet is necessary for comfort.

Heating Sources:

• Set up a heating lamp over the basking area to cover half the enclosure, creating a temperature gradient.

Lighting Arrangements:

• UV light should be set up in the basking zone to replicate the sun’s UV exposure, which is vital for indoor habitats.

Basking Temperature:

• Basking Temperature: 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Daytime Temperature: 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Nighttime Temperature: 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sulcata Tortoise Diet and Feeding Habit:

• Diet includes grass, weed, greens, and fruits such as Carex grass, bindweed, arugula, apple, and more.
• Feeding recommendation for Sulcata tortoises under 6 months is 1/4 cup of greens, grasses, and weeds every day, switching to 1/2 cup of greens daily after that period. Pellet feeding should not exceed 1 to 4% of their total weight.

Potential Health Issues and Treatments:

• Calcium Deficiency: Can be addressed with calcium dust supplements and UV light.
• Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): Requires UV rays and calcium.
• Respiratory Infection: Treated with proper housing and prescribed medications.
• Pyramiding: Caused by excessive protein and can be corrected with appropriate diet.
• Organ Failure: Due to various factors like obesity and can be mitigated with a routine and healthy life.