Healthy boy?

[Squirteal]

Hello just wanna say thank you to those who suggested getting Squirtle a spider plant! I think it is his new favourite thing!

My next question is, do you think he looks healthy? I am very paranoid about pyramiding and I think I’m doing everything I can to prevent it but I still have that worry as does everyone I guess haha

Also do you think his nails and beak are the right length? Or could they do with trimming? What can I put in his home so he can trim them?

 

[Yvonne G]

Pyramiding in tortoise is caused by raising a baby tortoise in a dry enclosure under a hot, desiccating light. If you correct those conditions you no longer have to worry about it. A moist substrate and a tube type fluorescent UVB bulb - that's how I now raise my babies.

 

[Squirteal]

Pyramiding in tortoise is caused by raising a baby tortoise in a dry enclosure under a hot, desiccating light. If you correct those conditions you no longer have to worry about it. A moist substrate and a tube type fluorescent UVB bulb - that's how I now raise my babies.

I use a UVB bulb and moist substrate yet the substrate does dry out within about a day.... what would you suggest I do?

 

[TechnoCheese]

I use a UVB bulb and moist substrate yet the substrate does dry out within about a day.... what would you suggest I do?

You need a closed chamber enclosure, or an enclosure with very little ventilation. My internet isn’t great so I can’t see your pictures, but try covering the top of the enclosure with foil or a shower curtain. You want very little ventilation.

 

[TechnoCheese]

Alright, the pictures loaded. Your problem is likely that you’re using an improper substrate. You don’t want anything sandy or with limestone bits in it, but instead something damp like coco coir, fine grade orchid bark, or cypress mulch.

 

[Squirteal]

Alright, the pictures loaded. Your problem is likely that you’re using an improper substrate. You don’t want anything sandy or with limestone bits in it, but instead something damp like coco coir, fine grade orchid bark, or cypress mulch.

This is what I use

 

[TechnoCheese]

View attachment 261706
This is what I use

Yep, definitely not a great substrate. Not sure why people put sand in substrate, which is a huge impaction risk when eaten, and then put in limestone bits so that they try to eat it.

 

[Squirteal]

Yep, definitely not a great substrate. Not sure why people put sand in substrate, which is a huge impaction risk when eaten, and then put in limestone bits so that they try to eat it.

Thats really annoying because it's sold by an actual pet shop ( so what would you say is best for a 1 year old Horsefield Tortoise?

 

[TechnoCheese]

Thats really annoying because it's sold by an actual pet shop ( so what would you say is best for a 1 year old Horsefield Tortoise?

I would keep him on coconut coir (eco earth at pet stores) so that he can burrow. Once he’s bigger, you can switch to fine grade orchid bark if you want.

 

[Squirteal]

I would keep him on coconut coir (eco earth at pet stores) so that he can burrow. Once he’s bigger, you can switch to fine grade orchid bark if you want.

I found this http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/-7104139p--1 (as this is the pet store we have in the UK) is that right?

 

[Blackdog1714]

I found this http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/-7104139p--1 (as this is the pet store we have in the UK) is that right?

yep. Just put it in a 5 gallon bucket or I like a 20 gallon rubbermaid container. Gotta Soak first follow the directions. Will expand greatly and allow you to have leftover substrate after you change out for adding later.

 

[Squirteal]

yep. Just put it in a 5 gallon bucket or I like a 20 gallon rubbermaid container. Gotta Soak first follow the directions. Will expand greatly and allow you to have leftover substrate after you change out for adding later.

Okay great thank you! I will get some ordered right away! Is there anything else you would suggest I do to help my little guy out?