How To and Why To Soak Your Sulcata Tortoise Hatchlings

An explanation on how and why you should soak you Sulcata hatchlings.

[@nickholland4492]

Got my little guy from you a couple weeks ago, aside from fedex making my little man wait a few extra days, you guys have been perfect!

[@azsulcata]

Glad to hear it, thank you for the support!

[@chantellbrooks9828]

I got my two from u an so far they doing good an growing I love them y’all where great thank u so much

[@azsulcata]

Glad to hear they are doing well!

[@stacymcgee5378]

So glad I watched this. I just got 1 2 days ago and the guy at the store said to just spray it once a day😮 my littefoot would have died had I not known.

[@tat2dlukydevl]

Great Video!! Thanks for sharing..

[@ssj2matt]

I was doing mine 3 times a week, and misting pretty regularly to keep his enclosure at 40-50% humidity most the time, but I will start doing it daily, simply because it does appear to be the only time they will pass waste.

[@helpmeouthereguys]

My sulcata hatchling's eyes are slightly swollen but it's to the point he's not opening them at all, a friend recommended soaking them in water with a carrot blended in with it for their eyes, does this sound like a good idea?

[@Lisa-qy3bp]

❤❤❤

[@wesleyberryhill7160]

How warm should the water be ?

[@billierenfro705]

Good info here in this video. We just bought our two sons, each a baby sulcata and as far as diet, is it ok to feed them really small pieces of kale, baby spinach, bell peppers starting off?

[@azsulcata]

Veggies are best avoided altogether with the exception of some spring mix lettuce which provides a healthy and decent variety. Spinach is best avoided when possible because it can be toxic to them if it's a main part of their diet. Spring mix (without the spinach), grasses, weeds, cactus pads, Mulberry leaves, hibiscus leaves, and Mazuri tortoise diet are all good options.

[@jayortiz8631]

What is the best substrate for the sulcata tortoise I have a baby now should I just put cypress mulch by yourself or should I mix it with reptisoil and what is the best quality UVB light that I can use because I have them inside my home

[@azsulcata]

Check out my enclosure setup video, that should answer your questions!

[@bella17791]

What if I sunbathe my tortoise but they don't take a dump there?

[@zariawalker7986]

I got 2 hatchlings from different mothers one is really small compared to the other he doesn’t eat just sleeps all day is there any other foods u recommend feeding then

[@azsulcata]

When raising a pair together one will almost always outgrow the other. This isn't due to them being from different mother's. One is showing its dominance over the other which leaves one to thrive and the other to suffer. The only way to get the other one eating and more active is to separate it and put it in its own enclosure so it feels safe and comfortable to eat again. I start my hatchlings off on spring mix lettuce for about the first month then switch to grasses and weeds from the yard. If you don't have a yard to pick from stick with spring mix and Mazuri Tortoise Diet can be added as well.

[@YakanAutumn]

I'm wanted to know how to I know if my tortoise drinks water because I watch him(we just guessing it gender) Steve everyday I soak him for 30 mins.I also give him cucumber because I worry he may not drink enough water. I never seem him go in his water bowl. ( One of those flat dish terracotta) I also soak all his leafs(kale hibiscus collard and dandelion. Plus I add some dry pellets for verity.) that I cut up in water because I never see him drink. He does a head bobble in the water when his soaking also goes to the bathroom, I usually dump it out once he does and add fresh heated water in to continue his soaking. Sorry for the rant I'm completely new to owning this kind of pet. I'm currently waiting on his official enclosure to be built currently his in a 49 by 18 tank and his gotta all the lights and what not. His tank in the day is 86-90 then at night when I turn off the main lamp it's 84-86 also his humidity usually 80-85.

[@azsulcata]

That's precisely why we soak, to be sure they are hydrated. They can hydrate without actually drinking by soaking up the water through their skin, anal glands, and humidity. That's why soaking is so important. Just sounds like your tortoise is nice and hydrated.

[@State48TurtleTortoise]

The best baby sulcatas come from AZ Sulcata!

[@JuanGomez-ss4lc]

Is soaking them daily every morning a bad thing or should I stick to 3 times a week? The seller told me 5 minutes a day to prevent flu but I think 15 to 20 min can't hurt right? It needs to drink...but when I soak him he keeps trying to go out

[@azsulcata]

Sounds like you got some bad information. First off, they don't get the flu. They can get a respiratory infection which is likely what they meant but as long as temperatures in your enclosure are where they are supposed to be then a respiratory infection wouldn't be possible. Soaking should be done daily for 20-30 minutes. Soakings have zero negative effects, only positive.

[@andresflores9235]

I have a 3 week old Sulcata... I would like to know which healthy high fiber and as well high calcium foods I can give him. Any advice on what I can give my 3 week old sulcata ?

[@azsulcata]

Untreated grass, weeds, mulberry leaves, hibiscus leaves, cactus pads, spring mix, and Mazuri Tortoise Diet are all recommended foods for hatchlings.

[@andresflores9235]

@@azsulcata Which is the untreated grass type? Also last advice at what age can I start giving him Timothy hay for his fiber intake ?

[@azsulcata]

@@andresflores9235 Any grass that hasn't been treated with fertilizers, pesticides, or weed killers. I don't recommend hay for any tortoise under at least 6" big minimum. It's not that hay is bad for them but it's tough, dry, and hard for them to both eat and digest. Fresh is best when dealing with younger/smaller tortoises.

[@andresflores9235]

@@azsulcata Thank you so much for the advice already doing my research & shopping list. Do you have a website or any info ?

[@azsulcata]

@@andresflores9235 Sure do. azsulcata.com Tons of information of my website.

[@trinitybridges4859]

Can you tell me the best diet plz every where I look has different info

[@azsulcata]

For hatchlings fresh is best because they have a hard time digesting dried foods like hay and it had less nutritional value. Fresh grasses and weeds, mulberry and hibiscus leaves, spring mix lettuce, and Mazuri tortoise diet in that order are excellent options. Here's a link to some care information including diet: azsulcata.com/care

[@azsulcata]

For hatchlings fresh is best because they have a hard time digesting dried foods like hay and it has less nutritional value. Fresh grasses and weeds, mulberry and hibiscus leaves, spring mix lettuce, and Mazuri tortoise diet in that order are excellent options. Here's a link to some care information including diet: azsulcata.com/care

[@jenniferellis895]

Is it ok that the tortoise always wants it's head completely under the water and will go to the deeper part to do it for long periods of time?

[@azsulcata]

Yes, they stick their heads under to drink. They actually drink through their nostrils. They can hold their breath for a long time. Just make sure the water isn't too deep so that it can't stand up and keep its head out of water when it wants to.

[@jenniferellis895]

@@azsulcata thank you

[@gamaefamemachine374]

Noice

[@risyawarditaanatesi5135]

Can i make baby sulcata floating?

[@azsulcata]

No they shouldn't be floating.

[@lajoslajos5001]

OK. VIVA USA./United States of America./UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 2020.-2021.-2022.-2023.🙂🙂🙂