Recent content by KellysTort

is one of the various types that you have the 1/2 bucket with dirt over it? that seems to be a decent solution.

I know, it's really weird, all the records from the adoption center say he's 2.5 years old. They told me he is just big for his age. ???

thank you, these are great shots. i love the one with the logs. very creative!

Hi Tom, I got one of those weather monitors with a 2 different sensors, and you were right. My tall enclosure is creating too much heat. On a 80 degree day it was 96 (!!) inside the enclosure and almost 90 in the wood hide. I am going to cut the sides down by half. I'm still struggling...

I live in SoCal (Agoura Hills) about 20 minutes east of ocean. Does anyone live in a similar climate and have success with a natural burrow (possibly a half round bucket with mounding dirt, etc)? I'm just wondering if our temps will allow the tortoise to stay cool enough in the summer and warm...

Hi, so I'm still sorting this out. Would I put the radiant heat panel on the outside top of the man made burrow?

Thank you Tom. I posted photos of my enclosure a few weeks ago. Not sure if they stay on the site? Thanks for the advice on the thermometer!

I'm looking for a way to test the temps and humidity in my desert tortoises man-made hide. Does anyone have any recommendations? I found this one online that seems fairly affordable. http://www.acurite.com/weather/thermometers/00609sbdia1-digital-indoor-outdoor-thermometer-with-humidity.html

Wow, thank you. This is SO helpful. I printed your suggestions. Yes, he does have a water dish that he has been climbing in and out of. I will definitely plant the cluster of plants, that's a really good idea. I'm thinking you have give me some great ideas about the current hide. I'm going...

it's not super tall as I read that they like to feel safe and not have a ton of overhead space. It probably has about 6 inches open above his head. When you say sounds good, do you mean the times that he is coming out and going in are normal? Sorry, I'm so new that I'm just trying to figure...

around 9:30-10am. He then heads for his cave around 3-4pm ish.

the hide has wood bottom, and I have it on bricks so that the moisture from the soil doesn't seep in. I have a bit of dirt and hay in the actual hide. The reason I didn't plan for a dirt burrow is because my soil seems to be clay-like and it's fairly moist. I was told that could be very...

thank you for your reply. The top of his "man-cave" has insulation on it, but I didn't really want to cover it with dirt as it has a lid I can open up and check on him (or clean it out, etc...). So if my temps are in the low 50's at night, do you think that shelter is ok? Or do I need to...

I've soaked him once for a bit, and then 2 more times that he climbed out quickly. I will soak him this week, as it will be a bit warmer. How long should he stay in a soak to get the benefits? So how would I provide heat for him if I leave him outside? He has a man made wood hide. see...

I'm a new desert tortoise owner. I just adopted him about 3 days after he came out of hibernation (about a week ago). Is it normal for him to only spend a few hours slowly roaming around then going back to his hide for the rest of the day? Also, I live a bit north west of Los Angeles. Our...