light/heat help

[KarenSoCal]

no i was going to take him to his previous owner, in his original little house. I m worried about him being stuck in that for a week nd them mybe not doing ll the things I will hve changed. Do you think it will matter for a week? We will probbaly take him with us in it when we go away weekends, s I'd hve thought for 2 dys it would not matter much and we would take him outside in the day for an explore. I take it he would be ok with a 1 hr drive each wy?

There have been lots of threads on the forum about travelling with a tortoise, and they almost all end the same way. Generally, torts are much better off staying at home.

Keeping temps right is very difficult. Add to that the fact that torts are very easily stressed. Many torts are quite upset with car rides, and sadly show it by pooping in excess. They mostly need adjustment periods after they arrive at the destination, especially if placed into an unfamiliar enclosure.

There are also a few torts that seem to take the whole experience in stride.

The best option is have someone come in and check on him, and feed and change water.

Other keepers have cameras installed so they can look in on the tort whenever they want. For short absences, this is great! If the keeper sees anything wrong, a phone call to a friend or neighbor can solve the problem.

 

[KarenSoCal]

My friend round the corner has said she will look in on him every other day and change water. I m rather stuck tbh. I will tke him with me in this country but cnanot abrod. I did not realise his housing wsnt right when i took him on the understnding his previous owner would hve him when we r away
why do you only reply to berate me, rather thn nswer things i need nswers to?

This is great news! You won't have to worry about him at all!

Consider getting a wireless camera, so you can check on him anywhere on your smartphone.

 

[rafsmum]

This is great news! You won't have to worry about him at all!

Consider getting a wireless camera, so you can check on him anywhere on your smartphone.

lol i do not have a mobile phone!

 

[rafsmum]

i would take his existing small enclosure with him. im making an extension to it, and will remove the front glass but i can always put it back in & use it if we went away for 2 nights.
As I said I could take him to his previous owner if we went away for a week. That was the original plan s we go away a lot & i worry about leaving pets which is why we had none. I thought this would be a good way to be able to have a pet but I m worried if he gets used to a lrgern home and humidity it may be bad for him/Do you think he would be ok if it was only week a few times a year? I didnt reaIise there was so much new things needed doing. I do feel hed be ok going with us for the weekend. he seems to know us & enjoy our affection. We used to take our budgie yrs go and he got to love it! there is a big field for grass nd exercise too! ( supervised)
I have lmost finished his enclosure. I hve to silicone the corners tomorrow nd
then need to leave it a week to check ll the smell has gone
I just won this on ebAY. i TRUST it is ok to work with the che

Electronic Digital Thermostat Breeding Temperature Controller w/ Socket UK Plug | eBay

<li> √Warehouse Location: UK warehouse √Shipping Way: Royal Mail √Dispatch Time: within 24 hours √Delivery Time: 2 to 3 working days</li> <li> </li> <li> </li>.

www.ebay.co.uk

do i need dome too btw or can i just use the cermic fixture on its own?

 

[KarenSoCal]

Humidity will never be bad for him. So don't worry about that.

As long as his previous owner takes care of him using the same methods you are using, he'll be fine. He'll have his adjustment time, but if he goes back and forth frequently, he'll remember both enclosures and will need very little adjustment. Still, it would be great if the previous owner came to your place.

It looks like the thermostat should be fine. Just check that it will handle the wattage of your CHE. There should not be a problem, but check just to make sure.

You do not need a dome. Just a ceramic socket on a wire is good.

 

[rafsmum]

Humidity will never be bad for him. So don't worry about that.

As long as his previous owner takes care of him using the same methods you are using, he'll be fine. He'll have his adjustment time, but if he goes back and forth frequently, he'll remember both enclosures and will need very little adjustment. Still, it would be great if the previous owner came to your place.

It looks like the thermostat should be fine. Just check that it will handle the wattage of your CHE. There should not be a problem, but check just to make sure.

You do not need a dome. Just a ceramic socket on a wire is good.

great for the socket Thats sorted lol

She will not come here ll the time. she sked me to tke him as she hd no time, running 2 businesses etc. she pys someone to wlk her dog. She would not have time to come here. if he went there he would NOT be in my conditions, thats my point. hed just be in his existing small table 90 x 45. I coujld probbly make smll cover for it, but hed still be confined. would that be ok for week every now & then? I am sorry fior the misunderstanding. My lptop keypad is fualty so my typing is awful. I meant that he would NOT have humidity if he went back tio his old owners. Would tht be ok for a week here & there?

 

[rafsmum]

temp can manage up to 2,200 w it seems

 

[KarenSoCal]

I don't know anything else to suggest re' the previous owner. Your only remaining option is to leave him home alone for a week. It's best if someone stops by, but sometimes that isn't possible.

We have keepers who leave for a week and leave the tort alone. Lights and heating are left on thermostats and timers. Food and water dishes are removed from the enclosure. Torts can go a long time without, and it's better to remove the water than have poop in it and the tort drinking it.

I can't decide which is best for you and your tortoise. Pros and cons either way.

If I was in the same situation, I think I would leave him home unattended. I think no food or water for a week is far less stressful for him than being transported, going into a different enclosure, and still not getting the care he needs.

The "stat" looks good.

BTW, don't worry about your typing. I don't have any trouble at all understanding, even without the "A"s.

 

[rafsmum]

Thnk you. I do hve a friend tht will come every other dy nd check he is ok, so i will leve wter nd she cn chnge it for me. I will feed him before i go nd sk her to pick him some dndelions from the grden nd give him few every few dys
We hve almost done his new pad now, just need the silicone to cure so leaving it a week, then he can go in. I will increase the humidity gradually. I know you say there is no need but i would prefer to acclimatise him bit by bit. ( my a is suddenly working!!! yay!!! )
It won't harm him to do it bit by bit, whereas i do worry about suddenly changing conditions. bit like chucking someone in a cold pool after being in sweltering heat IYKWIM
I had goldfish for years, i filtered their water, cleaned them with a suction hose, vacuuming the gravel and changing 10 -20% at a time. Fed sparingly, did everything i should
My neighbour had 3. stuck them in shallow water in a dirty wash up bowl to change them, left the water to go grubby and completely changed the tank, used water straight from the tap etc etc
When he died his wife asked if i would take them. I cleaned them properly and used dechlorinated water and they were all dead in months!! :O Luckily they were in a separate tank from mine!

I do appreciate all your help Karen, you've been very kind to keep coming back to me, and taking so much time tohelp. This is all a bit of a shock to me, as his previous owner made it sound so simple!! I knew noting of the heat and light they need
CAN I JUST CLARIFY, oops. I just need an LED bulb? Its just ive read they need UVB to process calcium or somehting
Does he defo only need an LED. Is a low energy one ok? And is that ok in a normal plastic holder as it won't get as hot?
Thanks again

 

[rafsmum]

if i took him to his old owners, hed still be in his present enclosure. I have made a new den which incorporates the old one but the ld onecan be lifted out and used if necessary. so hed just be in the original small one rather thgan have access to the extension. Its still only 4 x 3 but 3 times bigger than his home for the last several years, and once it is warm enough he will spend long stretches in the garden as were going to make him a large den out there. (Cant give him the run of the garden as it is elevated and i am scared he may pop over the wall onto the patio!

By the way, wish we'd had a film last night. he was sooo funny!
he loves having the back of his head rubbed, as they all seem to from what i have read, dont know whether hes ever had this done before he came here as she told me he liked under his chin stroked, but we soon realised he likes his head rubbed. he puts his neck up so it is vertical
Last night, after his bath, I wrapped him in a towel and we all took turns holding him and rubbing his head. When we stopped, he leaned his head right back, so he was making a curled shape!!!! :O I didn't even think he could do that! And he was wiggling his legs like mad in excitement! he is so funny!! Ive read that tortoises dont like being handled, but he seems to love all the attention! And we love giving it.

 

[Maggie3fan]

Karen has given you the best advice. But I kinda disagree with most keepers who say traveling with tortoises is bad. I am the person who makes a lot of road trips and I generally will take my cat and whatever tortoise for whatever reason. I have traveled with large Sulcata and tiny desert tortoises. I put said tortoise in a dark box the proper size with a lid that locks in place. Most tortoises will simply sleep in the dark. I make sure the temperatures are warm for them. If it's a long trip I bring their lights and food and stay with all in a motel. The experts here say that stresses tortoises out. ok so? There's a lot that stresses me out too, but I just go on. Tortoises and turtles "might" get stressed out traveling, but they get over it.
Now for you experts who disagree with me. I know your views and Karen expressed them very well. So this is no rebuttal, just letting the OP know that there might be an alternative to finding someone to care for them.

 

[KarenSoCal]

Karen has given you the best advice. But I kinda disagree with most keepers who say traveling with tortoises is bad. I am the person who makes a lot of road trips and I generally will take my cat and whatever tortoise for whatever reason. I have traveled with large Sulcata and tiny desert tortoises. I put said tortoise in a dark box the proper size with a lid that locks in place. Most tortoises will simply sleep in the dark. I make sure the temperatures are warm for them. If it's a long trip I bring their lights and food and stay with all in a motel. The experts here say that stresses tortoises out. ok so? There's a lot that stresses me out too, but I just go on. Tortoises and turtles "might" get stressed out traveling, but they get over it.
Now for you experts who disagree with me. I know your views and Karen expressed them very well. So this is no rebuttal, just letting the OP know that there might be an alternative to finding someone to care for them.

Hi, Maggie!
I know that you successfully travel with your torts, and I'm glad it works out for you.

In this case, the car isn't the problem. The OP frequently goes to mainland Europe from her home in England. Not a good idea to carry the tort around in other countries.

 

[KarenSoCal]

Thnk you. I do hve a friend tht will come every other dy nd check he is ok, so i will leve wter nd she cn chnge it for me. I will feed him before i go nd sk her to pick him some dndelions from the grden nd give him few every few dys
We hve almost done his new pad now, just need the silicone to cure so leaving it a week, then he can go in. I will increase the humidity gradually. I know you say there is no need but i would prefer to acclimatise him bit by bit. ( my a is suddenly working!!! yay!!! )
It won't harm him to do it bit by bit, whereas i do worry about suddenly changing conditions. bit like chucking someone in a cold pool after being in sweltering heat IYKWIM
I had goldfish for years, i filtered their water, cleaned them with a suction hose, vacuuming the gravel and changing 10 -20% at a time. Fed sparingly, did everything i should
My neighbour had 3. stuck them in shallow water in a dirty wash up bowl to change them, left the water to go grubby and completely changed the tank, used water straight from the tap etc etc
When he died his wife asked if i would take them. I cleaned them properly and used dechlorinated water and they were all dead in months!! :O Luckily they were in a separate tank from mine!

I do appreciate all your help Karen, you've been very kind to keep coming back to me, and taking so much time tohelp. This is all a bit of a shock to me, as his previous owner made it sound so simple!! I knew noting of the heat and light they need
CAN I JUST CLARIFY, oops. I just need an LED bulb? Its just ive read they need UVB to process calcium or somehting
Does he defo only need an LED. Is a low energy one ok? And is that ok in a normal plastic holder as it won't get as hot?
Thanks again

The friend coming over every other day is perfect! Problem solved!
Raising the humidity slowly is your choice. Just remember he's been kept dry and desperately needs it.

Some torts do enjoy rubbing and scratching, others take a "don't touch me" attitude. I'm glad you and your family have one that likes it. My tort also likes to be rubbed.

You only need an LED light. He doesn't need indoor UVB because he will be outside each day with access to both sun and shade. The sun will provide all the UVB he needs, even if there's a week of rain, or over the winter. Redfoot don't like bright light, so you might like a dim LED at each end of the enclosure so you can see him better. It's up to you. It (or they) only need a regular socket.

We've all been where you are! A sweet tortoise, looking at us with those eyes, trusting us to care for and provide all needs...and we have no idea where to start. Even if we research before getting the tort, when he's suddenly there, looking at us, all the study in the world has not prepared us. I empathize with you...I took in a desert tort with no idea how to care for it. Thank goodness I found this forum! I and the other members are here for 2 reasons...1) to help keepers learn how to best care for their torts, and 2) to learn as much as we can from other keepers. We are blessed to have members on this forum whose names are known and respected world-wide as experts, and who are willing to give their time and knowledge out for free to anyone who wants it. And we have members whose names aren't known beyond this forum, but are experienced, knowledgeable, keepers who are also willing to give many hours to the forum. The only reward? A tortoise has a better life.

 

[Zoeclare]

Hi, not trying to be contradictory but I live in the UK and also have a redfoot. I do use the arcadia t5 forest dweller uv tubes in the winter on a timer from 10 till 4 as the weather is just not suitable for outside time. I personally haven't taken Nitro outside since the end of September so I feel better providing some artificial UV, the forest dweller bulb is quite a low output and I provide plant cover too so he can lurk ?

 

[rafsmum]

The friend coming over every other day is perfect! Problem solved!
Raising the humidity slowly is your choice. Just remember he's been kept dry and desperately needs it.

Some torts do enjoy rubbing and scratching, others take a "don't touch me" attitude. I'm glad you and your family have one that likes it. My tort also likes to be rubbed.

You only need an LED light. He doesn't need indoor UVB because he will be outside each day with access to both sun and shade. The sun will provide all the UVB he needs, even if there's a week of rain, or over the winter. Redfoot don't like bright light, so you might like a dim LED at each end of the enclosure so you can see him better. It's up to you. It (or they) only need a regular socket.

We've all been where you are! A sweet tortoise, looking at us with those eyes, trusting us to care for and provide all needs...and we have no idea where to start. Even if we research before getting the tort, when he's suddenly there, looking at us, all the study in the world has not prepared us. I empathize with you...I took in a desert tort with no idea how to care for it. Thank goodness I found this forum! I and the other members are here for 2 reasons...1) to help keepers learn how to best care for their torts, and 2) to learn as much as we can from other keepers. We are blessed to have members on this forum whose names are known and respected world-wide as experts, and who are willing to give their time and knowledge out for free to anyone who wants it. And we have members whose names aren't known beyond this forum, but are experienced, knowledgeable, keepers who are also willing to give many hours to the forum. The only reward? A tortoise has a better life.

yeah i was just going to say, he wont be outside until summer. Its minus here at the moment! he will be indoors until it is warm enough for him to go out in the day. So am I best keeping his light as it is?

 

[rafsmum]

By the way, because i am concerned about his lack of humidity I do give him a warm bath each day. he enjoys it, loves being wrapped in a soft towel and snuggled, then knows it is play/fuss time and then food.(I feed him a decent meal every other day and just a tiny amount on the days inbetween) he also has cococoir which i make sure now is moist on the bottom and dry on top!! I am getting there!! lol CHE/fittin/therm bought now. Got some wood today from a pal to construct a cover base and now just need a polythene cover! xx

 

[KarenSoCal]

Hi, not trying to be contradictory but I live in the UK and also have a redfoot. I do use the arcadia t5 forest dweller uv tubes in the winter on a timer from 10 till 4 as the weather is just not suitable for outside time. I personally haven't taken Nitro outside since the end of September so I feel better providing some artificial UV, the forest dweller bulb is quite a low output and I provide plant cover too so he can lurk ?

This sounds good to me too! I forget how long British winters can be!

 

[KarenSoCal]

yeah i was just going to say, he wont be outside until summer. Its minus here at the moment! he will be indoors until it is warm enough for him to go out in the day. So am I best keeping his light as it is?

I stand corrected...a UVB would be good in the winter.

I can't find one online to order. I'm going to ask Zoeclare to find one for you.

It will need to be hung from above the enclosure, or mounted on a "ceiling" inside the enclosure. You will want a simple appliance timer to turn it on/off automatically.

 

[Yossarian]

The coco shouldnt really be dry on the top, it should be damp most of the time, if it is dry it isnt contributiing much to humidity. And why do you feed different amounts different days, tort should be fed as much as it wants to eat every day?

 

[KarenSoCal]

@Zoeclare

Would you try to find an Arcadia Forest setup for her? She needs the fixture as well.

I looked on Amazon and Swell and couldn't find a 24 inch one. All sold out. So maybe knowing other places in the UK to order from, you could find one.