Newbie advice please!

[JoesMum]

Can you talk about how you changed your setup @spudthetortoise? This one is too dry.

(Correct shout out this time!)

 

[spud's_mum]

Can you talk about how you changed your setup @spudthetortoise? This one is too dry.

(Correct shout out this time!)

Sure

I started wth a dry enclosure, much like yours. To keep humidity, I covered it with plexi glass (leaving a hole for the lamp). Then I bought a vivarium and put nice moist substrate in (I used peat. Other options are: coco choir, eco earth etc). I also bought a small humidifier. Other ways to trap humidity in is with foil, shower curtain or a pop up greenhouse. For hermanns, the humidity should be around 60-70%. You could also get moss to keep humidity but my Spud just started to eat it so I couldn't use it.

 

[JoesMum]

Sure

I started wth a dry enclosure, much like yours. To keep humidity, I covered it with plexi glass (leaving a hole for the lamp). Then I bought a vivarium and put nice moist substrate in (I used peat. Other options are: coco choir, eco earth etc). I also bought a small humidifier. Other ways to trap humidity in is with foil, shower curtain or a pop up greenhouse. For hermanns, the humidity should be around 60-70%. You could also get moss to keep humidity but my Spud just started to eat it so I couldn't use it.

And what substrate are you using?

 

[spud's_mum]

And what substrate are you using?

Just edited and put it in

 

[JoesMum]

Just edited and put it in

You can edit? I don't have that option on my iphone or in the browser

EDIT
Maybe I do. I just found it Old fogeys and technology

 

[Anyfoot]

You can edit? I don't have that option on my iphone or in the browser

EDIT
Maybe I do. I just found it Old fogeys and technology

There's a 10minute edit rule, after 10mins the option is not available.

 

[Carol S]

When you add the moist substrate (coir, orchid bark or cypress mulch) to your enclosure be sure to line the enclosure with plastic so the dampness does not damage/rot the wood.

 

[Sara G.]

I use a mix of coir and top soil. It works very well with keeping the humidity up.

 

[Gembolina]

Morning All,

Thanks Spud for the advice, I'm going to pop out this morning for some supplies, think I'm going to go for topsoil/coco mix, is there anything I can do except cover the top of the enclosure to keep humidity up? Also I'd like to take him outside for a little while (weather permitting), with him being so small what temp should it be outside for him and how long should I let him be out there do you think? We also have ducks roaming currently on the lawn, I'm afraid of letting him out there in case he eats something he shouldn't (i.e. duck poop!)

 

[JoesMum]

Don't let your tort roam outside without an enclosure. They're alarmingly fast when warm and you only have to be distracted for a second and they're gone... or, worse still, stepped on.

Their shells are perfect camouflage and they are near impossible to find once gone.

Even a 26cm monster like my Joe is hard to find. I have had many panic attacks over the years.

 

[Gembolina]

Hehe, I've noticed how fast he is for such a dinky little dot!

 

[Gembolina]

Sure

I started wth a dry enclosure, much like yours. To keep humidity, I covered it with plexi glass (leaving a hole for the lamp). Then I bought a vivarium and put nice moist substrate in (I used peat. Other options are: coco choir, eco earth etc). I also bought a small humidifier. Other ways to trap humidity in is with foil, shower curtain or a pop up greenhouse. For hermanns, the humidity should be around 60-70%. You could also get moss to keep humidity but my Spud just started to eat it so I couldn't use it.

Hi Spud,
I'm going to get a piece of plexi today, random question though - how do I measure the humidity?

 

[JoesMum]

Hi Spud,
I'm going to get a piece of plexi today, random question though - how do I measure the humidity?

Humidity is measured with a Hygrometer - get a digital probe type. Then it can be used to test humidity in a hide as well as in the enclosure in general. There are loads on Amazon

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hello

Looks like your getting a lot of great advise !

 

[Gembolina]

Ok, so I've been out today and changed Shelby's house around

He's now on top soil with a small dish of fresh water, some pots to hide in and some pansies in teeny pots to hide under or eat! He hasn't stopped exploring since! Still some work and changes to be done but I feel much happier than I did last night.. thanks all, no doubt i'll be back shortly for more advice!

 

[Gembolina]

 

[Gembolina]

Ooh one thing - he has been eating some of the topsoil - I'm assuming (and praying!!) this is ok?

 

[Gembolina]

View attachment 174357

@spudthetortoise @Sara G. @JoesMum - Thank you all

 

[JoesMum]

Ooh one thing - he has been eating some of the topsoil - I'm assuming (and praying!!) this is ok?

That enclosure is starting to look better already. What are the two lamps that you have?

Don't panic too much about accidentally ingested topsoil. If he's eating it deliberately, hopefully it was just an experiment. Make sure he has plenty of stuff that's tastier for him available.

Soak him daily (first thing in the morning before he's warmed up properly will be easiest) so he stays hydrated and the water flushes it through. If he continues to eat topsoil - then a change of substrate may be necessary.

 

[Yvonne G]

Flower pots are great hiding places, but a full pot is much too open. See if you can find someone who knows how to cut clay and have them cut in half lengthwise. Either that, or buy a plastic pot and cut it in half lengthwise.