New tortoise owner

[Crystallynda]

Baby is Croaking??

He’s wanting to eat his substrate! ??

 

[Happytort27]

He’s wanting to eat his substrate! ??

It could be that he tracked some food onto the coco coir, but it could also be a sign of mineral deficiency (I believe). I use MinerAll to help this deficiency. I would sprinkle a bit on his food twice a week and see if it helps. I’m sure someone else could chime in on this.

 

[Crystallynda]

It could be that he tracked some food onto the coco coir, but it could also be a sign of mineral deficiency (I believe). I use MinerAll to help this deficiency. I would sprinkle a bit on his food twice a week and see if it helps. I’m sure someone else could chime in on this.

Where do I get mineral? Cause I have calcium for him and his cuttle bone is on it’s way!

 

[Happytort27]

Sticky Tongue Minerall INDOOR formula for sale

1

www.lllreptile.com

I wouldn’t be too quick to buy this unless you think it’s a serious problem. If you see him eat a bit of coco coir once in a while, it’s probably okay since it might just be some leftover food tracked into the coir, but if you see this to be a reoccurring habit, then I would go ahead and look into the link I gave you.

 

[KarenSoCal]

This is what it reads! He’s soaking!

You are correct...it is not warm enough. It should be 95-100°F under the basking light. When the substrate is in, that will raise the surface closer to the bulb. Then try it again, and post.

 

[KarenSoCal]

This is him after soaking! His mouth is ok correct?

His mouth is fine. Has he been eating anything dark like that?

 

[KarenSoCal]

Is this too wet?

Looks about right to me.

 

[KarenSoCal]

How often should I spray the substrate and how often does it need to be replaced ?

Your hygrometer will tell you that. It's part of the thermometer in the picture. You want that % part to read 80% or higher, but with no lid it will be difficult if not impossible to maintain that.

I use a different substrate, but what I do is once daily I spray the substrate with hot water. I get it really wet. That raises the temp, and really saturates the air with humidity. Now and then I pour water into the substrate and mix it up with my hand. But the spraying works well for me...it's extremely dry where I live.

If you work it right, you never have to completely change the substrate. Spot clean anything you find with a paper towel or kleenex. If you soak Coco about the same time each day, he will probably pee and poop in the water. So you don't have to pick it up! ?
After a bit you and he will get into a schedule.

 

[KarenSoCal]

Alright substrate is in!

What else is needed for coco?

You notice your humidity has already gone from 22% to 43%? That's what damp substrate does!

He would probably like a rock or branch to climb on, or a safe plant in a pot. Something to break up the line of sight and add interest for him.

 

[KarenSoCal]

He’s wanting to eat his substrate! ??

Watch him over the next few days and see if he continues. It's something new...he may just be checking it out. And order the Miner All. It's good to give him once a week. But hold off on ordering til we're sure you don't need anything else.

 

[Jan A]

Watch him over the next few days and see if he continues. It's something new...he may just be checking it out. And order the Miner All. It's good to give him once a week. But hold off on ordering til we're sure you don't need anything else.

Thank you for helping Coco. I'm learning a lot by reading this thread.

 

[Crystallynda]

Watch him over the next few days and see if he continues. It's something new...he may just be checking it out. And order the Miner All. It's good to give him once a week. But hold off on ordering til we're sure you don't need anything else.

Hmm but I thought desert tortoise don’t eat insects? Lol

I’ll keep an eye out!
Also, I been feeding him 3 times already!
Should I continue?

 

[Crystallynda]

You notice your humidity has already gone from 22% to 43%? That's what damp substrate does!

He would probably like a rock or branch to climb on, or a safe plant in a pot. Something to break up the line of sight and add interest for him.

where do you recommend me getting this?

 

[Crystallynda]

Sticky Tongue Minerall INDOOR formula for sale

1

www.lllreptile.com

I wouldn’t be too quick to buy this unless you think it’s a serious problem. If you see him eat a bit of coco coir once in a while, it’s probably okay since it might just be some leftover food tracked into the coir, but if you see this to be a reoccurring habit, then I would go ahead and look into the link I gave you.

Cause I have calcium D3

 

[Crystallynda]

You are correct...it is not warm enough. It should be 95-100°F under the basking light. When the substrate is in, that will raise the surface closer to the bulb. Then try it again, and post.

Ok I’ll try again tomorrow morning!!

 

[Crystallynda]

His mouth is fine. Has he been eating anything dark like that?

Just his greens! I haven’t fed him anything else

 

[Crystallynda]

Your hygrometer will tell you that. It's part of the thermometer in the picture. You want that % part to read 80% or higher, but with no lid it will be difficult if not impossible to maintain that.

I use a different substrate, but what I do is once daily I spray the substrate with hot water. I get it really wet. That raises the temp, and really saturates the air with humidity. Now and then I pour water into the substrate and mix it up with my hand. But the spraying works well for me...it's extremely dry where I live.

If you work it right, you never have to completely change the substrate. Spot clean anything you find with a paper towel or kleenex. If you soak Coco about the same time each day, he will probably pee and poop in the water. So you don't have to pick it up! ?
After a bit you and he will get into a schedule.

Ok, yeah I’m planning on getting a class enclosure for him so his cage is closed...
A friend of mine has one unused!
Is this recommended?
Also my room stays at about 74-80 degrees!

 

[KarenSoCal]

Hmm but I thought desert tortoise don’t eat insects? Lol

I’ll keep an eye out!
Also, I been feeding him 3 times already!
Should I continue?

If you remember...in the morning give him a mound of food approximately the same size as he is. Leave it there til after lights out. If there is nothing left, give him a little more tomorrow. If there is just a little bit left, that's perfect!

 

[KarenSoCal]

Ok, yeah I’m planning on getting a class enclosure for him so his cage is closed...
A friend of mine has one unused!
Is this recommended?
Also my room stays at about 74-80 degrees!

By a glass enclosure do you mean a big fish tank? How will that help you?...it's still open on the top. What he's in is better than a fish tank.

You can cover the enclosure that he's in. There are a couple methods. Do you have someone who can cut some lumber for you? Are you handy with a saw? You can build a very simple structure that will help hold heat and humidity. It looks like this...


As you can see it's 2 simple crossed pieces spanned by a 3rd piece. If you go to Home Depot to buy the 2x4's, they will cut them for you. Then all you need is a few nails (or screws...I like them better). Your lights will hand from the overhead piece. Then you use a shower curtain or liner and drape it over the whole structure. TaDa! A closed chamber! I would put his enclosure up off the floor onto a table. That will help with heat, humidity, and your back. Everything will be easier to do, and better for your baby. If you want to, you can also make this with PVC tubes and connectors. Either method works.

 

[KarenSoCal]

where do you recommend me getting this?

Well, a rock comes from somebody's back yard.
A branch falls off a tree and lands in somebody's back yard.
A plant comes from a cutting from somebody's back yard that doesn't use weed killer or bug killer on their plants.

I think I would start checking out neighbors' and friends' and relatives' back yards.

If you find a plant you like, use this site to see if it's safe for torts.

The Tortoise Table - Home

The Tortoise Table plant database and resource site for Tortoise owners

thetortoisetable.org.uk