- Joined
- Jul 14, 2010
- Messages
- 60
This conversation is in regards to adult tortoises, not hatchlings. I will agree that all species of tortoise thrive in high humidity at young ages <2 years. Here in East Texas we do get quite a bit of rain and humidity. The redfoots, yellows, manouria, aldabras, and even sulcatas seem to do quite well outdoors with heated houses. As for leopards, they do not seem to thrive quite as well. I hate to admit it but over the years I have lost quite a few leopards. I lost (15) 2 year olds only about 3-4 months after moving outside at the start of summer. A few years back, my group of 6 adults had a severe disease, RTI, whatever you want to call it spread like fire. All treated and lost the 3 males but all 3 females lived. I attribute this to their size. I lost another female this last winter to a failed VE Radiant Heat panel (these are garbage buyer beware).
I am blaming cold weather, high humidity levels, and VE Radiant heat panels. The leo tortoises only get sick in winter, not in the dry hot summer. My leos houses, although insulated, have dirt/ground floors which probably means high humidity levels inside their houses. The garbage VE Radiant heat panels may keep the tortoise above 65-70 degrees on cold nights but they do not elevate their bodies to 105 degrees like a classic red bulb or ceramic heat emitter might do. This is important on cold snaps that last 3-4 days where the tortoise may be locked in its house. I have a buddy up the road who has leos outside and they do good. He is a bit older and uses old school red heat bulbs. I have also spoken with some older school folk and they recommend not even letting their grass get very high for grazing, too much humidity in the tall grass or "lawn-like" enclosures.
My thoughts on a new enclosure for leopards is to put a floor in it for humidity control OR do my normal ground floor but add 4" of sand/gravel to keep it dry as can be. House should be on a hill to keep as dry as possible. Heaters should actually be spot heat to guarantee that any day of the week the tortoise can elevate body temperature to 95+ degrees. Keep adult leopards in small groups of 2-3 with 4 adults as the absolute max. Also considering poly carbonate greenhouse boxes at the exit of the house. Maybe make them big enough to plant some cactus but ground should be kept quite dry. Their grazing area should be kept short and un watered.
I would be open to anyone's thoughts on this. May be overkill but tired of losing leos.
I am blaming cold weather, high humidity levels, and VE Radiant heat panels. The leo tortoises only get sick in winter, not in the dry hot summer. My leos houses, although insulated, have dirt/ground floors which probably means high humidity levels inside their houses. The garbage VE Radiant heat panels may keep the tortoise above 65-70 degrees on cold nights but they do not elevate their bodies to 105 degrees like a classic red bulb or ceramic heat emitter might do. This is important on cold snaps that last 3-4 days where the tortoise may be locked in its house. I have a buddy up the road who has leos outside and they do good. He is a bit older and uses old school red heat bulbs. I have also spoken with some older school folk and they recommend not even letting their grass get very high for grazing, too much humidity in the tall grass or "lawn-like" enclosures.
My thoughts on a new enclosure for leopards is to put a floor in it for humidity control OR do my normal ground floor but add 4" of sand/gravel to keep it dry as can be. House should be on a hill to keep as dry as possible. Heaters should actually be spot heat to guarantee that any day of the week the tortoise can elevate body temperature to 95+ degrees. Keep adult leopards in small groups of 2-3 with 4 adults as the absolute max. Also considering poly carbonate greenhouse boxes at the exit of the house. Maybe make them big enough to plant some cactus but ground should be kept quite dry. Their grazing area should be kept short and un watered.
I would be open to anyone's thoughts on this. May be overkill but tired of losing leos.