Ok my secret is out, I have OCD about things being clean, neat and organized. Now I know they are going to get dirty, that's what they do and I am cool w this, I have that under control. it's the part where it's all over everything. I also worry, about everything, I worry about them eating it, they prefer their food on a rock so of course it gets spread out all over the place and then they just nibble as they walk around, getting pieces of it w their food and when they dig it's all over their eyes, will that hurt their eyes? I soak them 3-4 times a day so they get cleaned up frequently but they will have it right back in their eyes as soon as I put them back in there. And then I also worry that maybe I have it to wet, maybe there needs to b a dry layer over top all that wet "dirt". ?? Shoot, I don't know. And yes, when they eat they have little pieces of stuff all over their faces and if I see it I get it off, just how I am. They don't seem to mind me cleaning them up tho.Coco coir (eco earth) will eventually settle down. May I ask though, why do you mind them getting dirty so much? There are no tortoise washes out in Africa. They burrow and get dirty. It is part of their job. I can't wait to hear your reaction when their little faces start getting stained with food!
Do u wet it or leave it dry and just have the Eco earth real wet?
Yes. They are all hatchling. All hatched out around 18-25 of June except one who hatched out around May 18 or so. Am I soaking to much???
D)...
I soak it down every morning while they take their morning soak and I keep it packed down, and yes, I have to talk myself down daily. I will do what's best for them so if the Eco earth alone is best, I will leave well enough alone. Thanks!Yes, a little too much
I would not add wood substrate ...especially since they eat off the rock and pick through the substrate for smaller pieces....the wood substrate can splinter.....I think that if you wet the substrate down, let it soak up the water, then take you hand (yes, your hand will get dirty) and press down the entire surface of the substrate through the entire enclosure.....the substrate should be packed down solid to offer a firm footing for the torts legs to develop correctly....if the substrate is fluffed all over then they will not have stable footing to press against while walking about....
The torts do not mind being dirty....and remember that dirt don't hurt....even if it is in and around their eyes....I think you will need to talk yourself down a bit so you don't create a problem where there is not one....
It really is ok to be an OCD tort Mommy.
The coco coir will not hurt them and rarely causes impaction when digested. Their water will never stay clean no matter what you do. If they do not track dirt into it they will poop in it.
Or in the case of my little box turtle yearling, she likes to watch me change her water, and when it's nice and sparkly clean, no lie she digs around and RUNS for her water. Murky water equals happy Spook. Then she takes a nice big poop in the water. Rinse and repeat! There is no room for me to have OCD with her XDIt really is ok to be an OCD tort Mommy.
