Tips for new cherry head owner?

Hello everyone I would like to know if my current set up is good enough for my cherry head hatchling. I’ve only had it for about 3 weeks and it seems to be happy, it’s eating and drinking just fine. Only problem I seem to be having is keeping the enclosure humid.

I’m currently misting the enclosure twice a day and feeding it once a day.

Here are some pictures of the enclosure that I built from scratch. I know it’s not perfect this is my first tortoise and am still learning as I go.

I’m using a coconut fiber substrate and a 80 watt solar glow bulb.

Ppl have recommended covering the opening to keep the humidity up. What is it at? Ppl here state that it should be 70-80%, I keep mine around 60% because my Vet told me that any higher you have a risk of shell rot. Just make sure you are doing daily soaks to compensate for a lower humidity.

It will be all but impossible to keep up humidity with an open topped enclosure and that large lamp.
I see you live in California?
You may not need a lot of heat. Just UVB. In Florida, I have just a simple strip florescent uvb lamp mounted inside of a "closed chamber" enclosure and I require no extra heat.
Remember the Redfoot don't like very bright lights and don't need or like very high temperatures. 81 to 87.with 84 being ideal IMO. Also, humidity can be from 70% up. With a closed system, it is easy to do.
I would recommend a hinged, plexiglass lid with an 18" strip florescent mounted INSIDE (from walmart $10) And a "5.0" reptile tube placed inside (Pet store $12 to $20) By doing this, your life will become much simpler.

ok thanks my temps sits at 83 with the lamp turned on and 72 when turned off, My humidity is stable at 55% after i mist it twice a day i can get it up to 75% to 80%. Will have to figure out a way to get it covered some how. I was thinking of getting a humidifier and setting up on a timer for about 15min every 3 to 4 hours.

Cover it with foil?

Anthony_Martinez said:

ok thanks my temps sits at 83 with the lamp turned on and 72 when turned off, My humidity is stable at 55% after i mist it twice a day i can get it up to 75% to 80%. Will have to figure out a way to get it covered some how. I was thinking of getting a humidifier and setting up on a timer for about 15min every 3 to 4 hours.

Click to expand...

Some use a humidifier.
I dont.
It's more work than just covering the top.