We have orchid bark laid over soil as substrate. We only have Hay in her nightbox at the moment with a protective mat underneath.The temp in her night box at the moment is about 70, prob dropping to about 60/65 is this OK? What do I need to measure her humidity? I have fine mist sprayed her shell and the bedding before closing her in for the night. What sort of leaf litter is suitable?
What is Cyprus mulch? We also have those shallow trays available so I will see if they fit her bed tomorrow. Good idea! T.Y.
Hi I'm from UK also, Cyprus mulch is known over here as forest floor I get mine from amazon..
I wouldn't spray the bed or her for night. Spray her and her outdoor area. She only needs 30-50% on hot days you can spray her yard.
You can get a digital thermometer/ hydrometer at home depot/ Lowe's. Cheaper than a pet store most of the time or order online. You can also use Reptibark for the substrate.
You can get cypress mulch at a landscaping store or again at home depot or Lowe's. Not sure if you have those stores in the UK.
Thank you. X
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SwellReptile online shop has substrates under their own branding including orchid bark It's cheaper than ReptiBark but still more expensive than buying in bulk from plant nurseries. Unfortunately, no UK members were able to found cheap suitable substrate in gardening centers and nurseries (bark sold there is a pine bark which is a no-go).
I don't use substrate myself because Jacky is now spending more time outside but what I have been using in Jacky's enclosure is newspaper covered by pet carpet strips. I am a member of the Essex Tortoise Group which local to me and I will start a thread to see what they use.
I use coco coir blocks and orchid bark from various pet places like Pets at Home. I just to have a tray in Lola's room in case he wants it. He's outside a lot at the moment though on his grass patch.
www.thetortoisetable.org.uk is a good guide for tort safe plants for food and enclosures. The care sheet should recommend foods. In the winter, and to bulk out weeds in the summer, I use Aldi crispy salad bags which have a better mix of leaves than things like iceberg lettuce etc., then for variety I add lamb's lettuce, pak choi leaves, romaine lettuce (with the darker leaves rather than hearts), carrot and beetroot leaves, kale, spring greens. But safe weeds like dandelions, sow thistle, clover, ribwort and broadleaf plantain etc should be main food in the summer - the tort table will help you ID more.
Thank you. I intend to to have Shelly outside most of the time too in summer. Am I right in thinking that she would be OK on just the soil then? What do you all put inside their bed/night box? I realise it's personal preference when it comes to these things but just want to get it right for her and not make a mistake. At the moment it's been cold and rainy so she's inside until I can get her outdoor enclosure rain proof!
Thank you. I have read the tortoisetable.org.uk plant table and have been giving shelly a mix of sow thistle, mallow ground elder, dandelion, mixed salad leaves and a little kale. It's certainly a massive learning curve becoming a tortoise parent! We just want to get it right for her as she's not had the best first 20 years, bless her.
