Humid hide box

[jcalpacagirl34]

I have been wondering how to keep my RF's hide box humid. Would a heat mat and regular misting help?

 

[BILBO-03]

Just mist it, and moss could help

 

[jcalpacagirl34]

Thanks for your reply. I have been misting it but it's not humid at all. In fact it's cold. Is there a such thing as a heat strip bulb?

 

[JoesMum]

Is the substrate under the hide damp? Is the moss damp? How warm is it in the hide?

 

[jcalpacagirl34]

Is the substrate under the hide damp? Is the moss damp? How warm is it in the hide?

There is no substrate under the moss. The moss is mostly dry. The overall temp in the hide is 70°

 

[Redstrike]

Humidity is produced by evaporating water. If you moisten the substrate and use a suitable, waterproof heating element, this will humidify the hide.

Deep substrate with waterproof heat ropes (Hydrokable and Big Apple Herps are both excellent) has worked for me in the past with a fully covered enclosure. I would bury the waterproof heat ropes under 4-6 inches of hardwood/cypress mulch and pour in enough water to have ~1 inch standing under the surface of the substrate. The heat ropes would then warm and evaporate the water and generate lots of ambient humidity.

Having a fully closed enclosure (redundant...) really helps to keep heat & humidity in.

 

[jcalpacagirl34]

My enclosure is completely closed in. I have not invested in heat ropes. I guess I wasn't clear on my question so here it is.....what type of waterproof heating lamp would be suitable for this type of hide box? A strip bulb? (If they make those in heating form)

 

[Anyfoot]

What redstrike is suggesting is you put heat ropes in the bottom of your hide because they are water proof. You don't want to light up your hide, this is where your tort needs to go and feel secure in the dark.
Is this hide part of a larger enclosure?
How big is the hide?
70f is not warm enough for your Tortoise. Does it have access to higher temps?

 

[jcalpacagirl34]

Ooh ok. Yes this hide is part of a larger enclosure and yes he does have access to warmer Temps and high humidity

 

[Anyfoot]

Ooh ok. Yes this hide is part of a larger enclosure and yes he does have access to warmer Temps and high humidity

Are you in the uk jc?

 

[Redstrike]

Ooh ok. Yes this hide is part of a larger enclosure and yes he does have access to warmer Temps and high humidity

We love pictures, it takes a lot of the guesswork out of troubleshooting and makes it easier to assist.
Below are a couple resources I know and love, outside of this forum.

http://www.tortoiselibrary.com/ - great resource at no cost. Well researched, factual information here. If you click on Housing -> Humidity there is a great article written there.

If you have a little extra money, I would highly recommend this book:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1441494030/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[jcalpacagirl34]

I'm not in the UK

 

[kalei01]

is it normal for tortoise to use hide box as a bathroom instead of place to retire at night to

 

[Anyfoot]

is it normal for tortoise to use hide box as a bathroom instead of place to retire at night to

Yep.