Melissa N
Member
First of all, let me thank everyone who responds to questions on this site. You are all so knowledgeable. Reading all the discussion threads has helped me tremendously! This is a lengthly question, so thanks for reading through all of it.
Background:
I have 3 baby indian stars. Nova, Stella, and Luna. They are 4 1/2 months old. I got them from a very reputable breeder and were doing great when I got them. I did loads of research before getting them and have been trying to give them good care. I know that they need 80-90 temps with a warmer basking area, and high humidity. This has been SO HARD!!! I've already gone through 2 thermometer/hydrometer. I feel like I can never get it warm enough or humid enough in their enclosure. They are in a 40 gallon aquarium with a Zoomed t5uv light strip and an incandescent 75 watt basking bulb. Last night I added a second bulb. Both are on for about 12-14 hours a day. At night I use one of those reptile heating pads. Daytime temps are usually around the low 80's with the hot spot around 90 degrees. Nighttime lows are around 75. It seems like I can never get the humidity over 60% for an extended period of time. I have a mix of organic soil and coconut fiber as a substrate. I spray it down several times a day. Sometimes I even put a large cup or bowl of water inside to try to help with the humidity. I soak them 1 to 2x a day for 30 minutes, during which they do their daily duty . After their soaks I feed them a varied diet of various types of greens, dandelions, and recently I added grated cactus pads. I give them Mazuri (original not LS) 3-4 times a week (softened) mixed with a little calcium powder. They also have cuttle bone in their enclosure. As well as a water dish.
Here's what's going on:
1. They are not gaining weight. I weigh them once a week. I've had them since the end of May (almost 2 months). Nova weighed 43.8 grams (now weighs 42.0 g). Stella weighed 33 grams (now weighs 31 g). Luna weighed 34.7 (now weighs 36.1) All of their weights have fluctuated from week to week. But basically the are about the same size as when I got them.
2. They are slowing down in their activity level and are spending the majority of the day sleeping.
3. The last few days they have had VERY small appetites, hardly eating anything.
I'm really worried about them! I'm feeling like a huge failure as a tortoise keeper!
Questions:
Do you think the problem stems solely from the temp/humidity issues? If I am able to correct those issues do you think they'll perk up and begin to thrive? If so, how long should it take?
Do I need to take them to the vet? He charges $70 a visit. So it would cost me $210 to have them all seen. If they absolutely need to go, of course I will take them. But I'd rather not if I don't have to.
I just read Tom's thread titled "Closed Chambers"( www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/#post-304363 ) I am 100% convinced that I need to close this enclosure up some how. Any suggestions about how to do this? What I'm trying to figure out is how to make it work with the lights. I've been trying to keep it covered with press 'n seal wrap and tinfoil. It helps some, but it needs to be better.
Should I add more substrate to try to hold more moisture in?
Should I get a thermometer gun to get a more accurate temp reading?
Sorry this is so long! Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
Thank you!!!!
Melissa
Background:
I have 3 baby indian stars. Nova, Stella, and Luna. They are 4 1/2 months old. I got them from a very reputable breeder and were doing great when I got them. I did loads of research before getting them and have been trying to give them good care. I know that they need 80-90 temps with a warmer basking area, and high humidity. This has been SO HARD!!! I've already gone through 2 thermometer/hydrometer. I feel like I can never get it warm enough or humid enough in their enclosure. They are in a 40 gallon aquarium with a Zoomed t5uv light strip and an incandescent 75 watt basking bulb. Last night I added a second bulb. Both are on for about 12-14 hours a day. At night I use one of those reptile heating pads. Daytime temps are usually around the low 80's with the hot spot around 90 degrees. Nighttime lows are around 75. It seems like I can never get the humidity over 60% for an extended period of time. I have a mix of organic soil and coconut fiber as a substrate. I spray it down several times a day. Sometimes I even put a large cup or bowl of water inside to try to help with the humidity. I soak them 1 to 2x a day for 30 minutes, during which they do their daily duty . After their soaks I feed them a varied diet of various types of greens, dandelions, and recently I added grated cactus pads. I give them Mazuri (original not LS) 3-4 times a week (softened) mixed with a little calcium powder. They also have cuttle bone in their enclosure. As well as a water dish.
Here's what's going on:
1. They are not gaining weight. I weigh them once a week. I've had them since the end of May (almost 2 months). Nova weighed 43.8 grams (now weighs 42.0 g). Stella weighed 33 grams (now weighs 31 g). Luna weighed 34.7 (now weighs 36.1) All of their weights have fluctuated from week to week. But basically the are about the same size as when I got them.
2. They are slowing down in their activity level and are spending the majority of the day sleeping.
3. The last few days they have had VERY small appetites, hardly eating anything.
I'm really worried about them! I'm feeling like a huge failure as a tortoise keeper!
Questions:
Do you think the problem stems solely from the temp/humidity issues? If I am able to correct those issues do you think they'll perk up and begin to thrive? If so, how long should it take?
Do I need to take them to the vet? He charges $70 a visit. So it would cost me $210 to have them all seen. If they absolutely need to go, of course I will take them. But I'd rather not if I don't have to.
I just read Tom's thread titled "Closed Chambers"( www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/#post-304363 ) I am 100% convinced that I need to close this enclosure up some how. Any suggestions about how to do this? What I'm trying to figure out is how to make it work with the lights. I've been trying to keep it covered with press 'n seal wrap and tinfoil. It helps some, but it needs to be better.
Should I add more substrate to try to hold more moisture in?
Should I get a thermometer gun to get a more accurate temp reading?
Sorry this is so long! Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
Thank you!!!!
Melissa