Coir Sopping Wet. Bad for Tortoise?

Quixx66

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Hi,

I just switched substrates from Reptisoil and chunky coir to fine Eco Earth coir. I wet it down but I think it might be too wet. It’s not dying out fast, and I think Mateo is unhappy. He’s clawing to get out the bin.

I do have a spare bag of Reptisoil but no extra coir to soak up the dampness.

What should I do?
Thanks!
 

Blackdog1714

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Hi,

I just switched substrates from Reptisoil and chunky coir to fine Eco Earth coir. I wet it down but I think it might be too wet. It’s not dying out fast, and I think Mateo is unhappy. He’s clawing to get out the bin.

I do have a spare bag of Reptisoil but no extra coir to soak up the dampness.

What should I do?
Thanks!
Can you add pictures please? Also whT kind of tort and how old?
 

harrythetortoise

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I use Eco Earth as well and I pack it down with my hands after adding water and mixing it by hand once every few days, maybe this would help?
 

Yossarian

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You need to pack the coir down. If you over-wet it thats fine it will just take a little time to dry out a bit. You can also use both orchid bark and coco together, but be aware your tort will mix them all up.
 

Quixx66

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You need to pack the coir down. If you over-wet it thats fine it will just take a little time to dry out a bit. You can also use both orchid bark and coco together, but be aware your tort will mix them all up.
Thank you for the reassurance. I’ll pack the coir down now.
 

crimson_lotus

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if they are still clawing to get out of the bin, try to wrap the outside of the bin in opaque paper and see if that helps at all
 

Quixx66

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if they are still clawing to get out of the bin, try to wrap the outside of the bin in opaque paper and see if that helps at all
Thanks, I’ll try that. Usually he’s okay, but a redid his bin with a new difference substrate and added rocks. I wasn’t sure it it was that or the dampness.
 

Tom

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The temporary dampness won't harm him. I agree that the coir looks too loose and needs to be firmly hand packed. This will reduce the messiness.

I also agree that your baby needs a humid hide, more other hides, and more cover to hide in. He's totally exposed in your enclosure, and instinct tells him that is a death sentence. He's desperately looking for a place to hide from predators. Survival instinct.
 

tortdork

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The temporary dampness won't harm him. I agree that the coir looks too loose and needs to be firmly hand packed. This will reduce the messiness.
I also agree that your baby needs a humid hide, more other hides, and more cover to hide in. He's totally exposed in your enclosure, and instinct tells him that is a death sentence. He's desperately looking for a place to hide from predators. Survival instinct.
I add
Hi,

I just switched substrates from Reptisoil and chunky coir to fine Eco Earth coir. I wet it down but I think it might be too wet. It’s not dying out fast, and I think Mateo is unhappy. He’s clawing to get out the bin.

I do have a spare bag of Reptisoil but no extra coir to soak up the dampness.

What should I do?
Thanks!
I add a layer of orchid (sphagnum) moss to dry a lil when this happens.
 

zovick

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Hi,

I just switched substrates from Reptisoil and chunky coir to fine Eco Earth coir. I wet it down but I think it might be too wet. It’s not dying out fast, and I think Mateo is unhappy. He’s clawing to get out the bin.

I do have a spare bag of Reptisoil but no extra coir to soak up the dampness.

What should I do?
Thanks!
If the coir being overly wet is that much of a concern, you can get a pail and just pick up handfuls of the coir and squeeze the excess water into the pail, then put the coir back in the enclosure and pack it down.
 

Quixx66

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Location (City and/or State)
Louisiana
The temporary dampness won't harm him. I agree that the coir looks too loose and needs to be firmly hand packed. This will reduce the messiness.

I also agree that your baby needs a humid hide, more other hides, and more cover to hide in. He's totally exposed in your enclosure, and instinct tells him that is a death sentence. He's desperately looking for a place to hide from predators. Survival instinct.
Did not realize about multiple hides or him feeling insecure. That explains a lot. I have one that’s too big, I think, and one I’ve been told us too open.

Are these okay? Can be improved? It was hard to tell scale on the internet. I also have terracotta pots to plant weeds. Would these help?

I’ll try to pack the coir harder. I was worried he couldn’t burrow if too hard packed.

Thanks. 4D93EFA7-D9C8-42D7-8E4E-776D81E965B8.jpegimage.jpg
image.jpg
 

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