New tortoise owner

Crystallynda said:

Ima keep with this forum for now on !!

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Crystallynda said:

Ok, so I’m about to head to Home Depot!
I have a light mount arriving with a clip “how can I tie it up so it won’t fall”? Zip ties?

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Crystallynda said:

Ok, so I’m about to head to Home Depot!
I have a light mount arriving with a clip “how can I tie it up so it won’t fall”? Zip ties?

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Crystallynda said:

So wait you don’t recommend the plant enclosure? Cause what I have is a plastic one!!

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Tom said:

I don't think you need a closed chamber for a DT. No.

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Tom said:

I don't think you need a closed chamber for a DT. No.

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Crystallynda said:

Is it safe to use the tub for the lights!

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Crystallynda said:

? Do I need a bigger tub?

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Tom said:

Yes. The bigger the tub the better.

Bigger enclosures are better, but plastic tubs can work.

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Tom said:

Don't wait another day. Go to Home Depot tomorrow and get a fixture, 65-100 watt flood bulb (NOT an LED replacement), and a digital appliance timer to turn it on and off. This tortoise needs to be able to warm up to 100 degrees every day and this light will simulate the sun when he's indoors.

Also soak the baby for 30-40 minutes in warm water daily for a while. Keep the water warm the whole time.

Simply dump the sand out and use no substrate until you can get some coco coir. You can find coir in bulk at local nurseries. Use a very thick layer and hand pack it down firmly. It will be messy at first, but keep hand packing it and it will settle in.

Read the care sheet and follow it if you want the baby to live:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

These bulbs. Adjust the height to get the correct temperature under them. Put a flat rock of some sort under it:

Philips 65-Watt Incandescent BR30 Flood Light Bulb Soft White (2700K) (12-Pack) 248872 - The Home Depot

The Philips 65-Watt Incandescent Flood Light Bulb (12-Pack) is designed to fit a variety of home or business lighting needs. These 12 flood lights shine for up to 2000 hours and are dimmable, allowing

www.homedepot.com

Hang this from over head and you can remove the little wire guard thingy. Don't use the clamp that comes with it:

HDX 300-Watt 10-1/2 in. Brooder Clamp Work Light HD-303PDQ - The Home Depot

Shine a light wherever you need it with the versatile and multipurpose 10.5 inch Brooder Clamp Light from HDX. Lighting up to 50% more than standard clamp lights, this light is held firmly in place with

www.homedepot.com

Timer:

Defiant 15 Amp 7-Day Indoor Plug-In Digital Timer with 2-Grounded Outlets, White 49808DI - The Home Depot

Save energy, save money and feel secure. The Defiant Daylight Adjusting 7-Day 2-Outlet Plug-In Digital Timer delivers convenient automation for lamps, seasonal lighting, appliances and electronics. Controls

www.homedepot.com

For food and water. I recommend having a couple of spares too:

Pennington 8 in. Medium Terra Cotta Clay Saucer 100043039 - The Home Depot

The Pennington 8 in. Terra Cotta Saucer is crafted with porous terra cotta that allows plants' roots to breathe. Perfect for catching excess water from overwatering and protecting your home's surfaces.

www.homedepot.com

So you know the temp and humidity:

AcuRite Digital Humidity and Temperature Comfort Monitor 00619HD - The Home Depot

Ensuring proper indoor humidity has important skin, allergen and other health benefits by inhibiting the growth of mold, bacteria, viruses, fungi, mites and other asthma inducing agents. The AcuRite Digital

www.homedepot.com

Notice there is nothing you need here from a pet store. You'll get bad advice and the wrong products there.

Questions are welcome!

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Crystallynda said:

What size do you recommend? Cause I need to include his hide out!
Does he need humidity cause now I’m a little confused on this!!

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Tom said:

The bigger the better. More room to move in the indoor enclosure is good.

High humidity is not necessary for this desert species. I don't worry about ambient humidity for them. Whatever it is is fine as long as you do the rest: What works is to provide deep damp substrate that they can dig into. Your bricks of coco fiber that you bought will work great. Make a very thick layer and hand pack it down. You want a depth 3-4 inches after hand packing. This allows them to burrow down and make their own little humid microclimate. In a addition, the humid hide, the shallow water dish, and daily soaks will ensure good hydration. Covering all or part of the top will help hold in some heat and humidity and is beneficial in most cases.

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Crystallynda said:

???

also is it bad that I might of put him in water more than once today ??

I was trying to keep warm...

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Crystallynda said:

He was too cold in his house, I wide awake knowing he’s cold! I placed him on chest! bad idea putting his house near the window!!??

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KarenSoCal said:

Snuggling is a good way to get warm...for anybody. ??

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Crystallynda said:

So Ho

So Home Depot doesn’t carry the philips 65 none LED anymore! I’m at batteries and bolts and the closest thing I found was felt electric!
Home Depot said the 12 pack can take up too 2 weeks ???
online order only!!

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