Help with climate control, tortoise growth and eyes

[Snickersbec]

I would really be lost if I had not found this forum. I am a beginner leopard tortoise owner and need help. My two leos are approx five months, I cannot seem to keep the climate in the enclosure correct. When I have the correct humidity the temps are to low, correct temps humidity to low. I have a CHE and a spot bulb. When the basking area is 100° the cold end is only 75° with humidity at 80%. When I raise the basking 110° to 115° the cold end will be in the lower 80s with humidity approx 56%. Enclosure is 2' by 4' and its 90%
enclosed. The next problem is it doesn't seem like they are growing one is 3" the other 2 1/2". I still need a gram scale to check weight gain and will be getting that today. I feed them spring mix and greens. I offer zoo med soaked pellets they refuse to eat it. Ocassionally I give them cactus pads. Every other day I sprinkle calcium with D3 on their food and they eat about 1/3 of what they normally eat. They had problems opening their eyes, it seemed like the lids stuck together. Extra soaks helped them open there eyes, but as soon as they took a nap BOOM stuck again. I took them to the vet who had me buy vitamin A gel caps, pierce cap with needle, walla instant eye dropper, one drop in each eye every day for a week and once a week thereafter. Now the eye issue was before I found the forum, so was the dry living conditions causing the eye problem? I tried to attach a picture of the little guys for you to see there condition but it didn't work. I will try later. Oh, I just found a thread about raising them together I need to read sounds like that may be something else I need to address. Best Regards, Becky in Colorado

 

[Zamric]

a pic of your enclosure will help ALOT!

 

[Snickersbec]

Here are pics
thanks

 

[Snickersbec]

Your tortoises are beautiful!!
I managed one photo with the lid off enclosure I need to sign up with photo bucket to send the rest.
thanks

 

[Zamric]

Your tortoises are beautiful!!
I managed one photo with the lid off enclosure I need to sign up with photo bucket to send the rest.
thanks

Thanks!

I Like Photo bucket.... use it myself!

 

[Greg T]

Welcome! I like to use tinypic to upload - it is very easy. When you say Spot Bulb, what kind? If you are using a coil-type bulb then it may be hurting their eyes, which is why they are closed so much.

 

[wellington]

Have you read Toms threads at the bottom of my post? They all will pertain to leopards. Covering the enclosure will help with temps and humidity.

 

[Snickersbec]

 

[Snickersbec]

Thank you everyone for your help. I use a 75 watt non coil bulb and
a CHE 75 watt bulb at night. I have read all three threads plus some,
some more than once. Again thank you, these little guys are very important to me. I will use tiny pics in the future.

 

[Snickersbec]

I would really be lost if I had not found this forum. I am a beginner leopard tortoise owner and need help. My two leos are approx five months, I cannot seem to keep the climate in the enclosure correct. When I have the correct humidity the temps are to low, correct temps humidity to low. I have a CHE and a spot bulb. When the basking area is 100° the cold end is only 75° with humidity at 80%. When I raise the basking 110° to 115° the cold end will be in the lower 80s with humidity approx 56%. Enclosure is 2' by 4' and its 90%
enclosed. The next problem is it doesn't seem like they are growing one is 3" the other 2 1/2". I still need a gram scale to check weight gain and will be getting that today. I feed them spring mix and greens. I offer zoo med soaked pellets they refuse to eat it. Ocassionally I give them cactus pads. Every other day I sprinkle calcium with D3 on their food and they eat about 1/3 of what they normally eat. They had problems opening their eyes, it seemed like the lids stuck together. Extra soaks helped them open there eyes, but as soon as they took a nap BOOM stuck again. I took them to the vet who had me buy vitamin A gel caps, pierce cap with needle, walla instant eye dropper, one drop in each eye every day for a week and once a week thereafter. Now the eye issue was before I found the forum, so was the dry living conditions causing the eye problem? I tried to attach a picture of the little guys for you to see there condition but it didn't work. I will try later. Oh, I just found a thread about raising them together I need to read sounds like that may be something else I need to address. Best Regards, Becky in Colorado

 

[Snickersbec]

Welcome! I like to use tinypic to upload - it is very easy. When you say Spot Bulb, what kind? If you are using a coil-type bulb then it may be hurting their eyes, which is why they are closed so much.

I use a 75 Watt non coil bulb I bought at petco at night I use a 75 Watt CHE bulb. I will try tiny pic for the photos maybe my setup is wrong and the pictures will show it. Thank You for your help. I am worried about the torts and want to do things correctly.

 

[Snickersbec]

a pic of your enclosure will help ALOT!

I think I have the pictures

 

[Snickersbec]

Thank you everyone for your help I tried to answer individually but it wouldn't go through I hope everyone gets this.

I use a 75 watt non coil bulb day and a 75 watt che at night. I have read the three threads and then some more than once. I am still doing something wrong I hope the pictures will show something. Thanks again and I know snickers and skittles will be relieved