CincyTort26
Member
Hi Everyone!
I brought home (well, he arrived on my front door via USPS) my little tort last November. I believe he was around 3 months old. As best I can tell he was from a reputable breeder.
Now, in the last month or so I've been realizing there was a lot of info I missed, or wasn't clear on, about raising this guy, and between myself and my roommate who cared for him, he hasn't gotten the best start so far...
So I'm here trying to improve!!
I've read the stickied posts which were full of great info!! I do, however, have some more specific questions...
I'm attaching a picture of his current inclosure. Its a 20gal long tank. I know its not big enough. I'm working on finding/making something bigger for him, but that's where I would love some suggestions. Its started to get cold here, and while I'm pretty handy, between the cold weather and time constraints I would rather purchase a system if there is one that may be sufficient... I've just not been able to find any :/
His substrate is about 50% peatmoss/organic topsoil mix and 50% mulch (I can't remember the type, but it was purchased from the petstore and labeled for torts, snakes, etc)
My previous duel heat/UVB light just died (he had a night heat lamp too) so I replaced both lamps and have a dedicated fluorescent UVB bulb and a ceramic heat emitter. I'm still having trouble maintaining the correct temperature, even for such a small enclosure.
Because I figured part of the reason it wasn't staying warm was because it was a glass tank, I wrapped 3 of the glass sides in aluminum foil for "insulation" (please don't be afraid to tell me that's a stupid idea haha) and the lid (which is a screen top) I have almost completely sealed, also with aluminum foil.
Currently the temp in the middle of the enclosure sits around 75, and he spends most of his time directly under the heat lamp.
He's started pyramiding. This past spring he was mostly in the care of my roommate and, while she did her best, I know she kept his enclosure very very dry (he's a desert tort! she said). I realize the humidity is most likely the problem, and I've started spraying his enclosure with about half a spray bottle of hot water once a day. I've also gone back to soaking him about 3x a week.
I also think he's way too small. Pictures attached. Like I said, he's about a year old :/
Oh, as for his diet, he's been getting grass and some spring mix (because my current roommate loves watching him eat the spring mix haha, she's fascinated by him!)
I brought home (well, he arrived on my front door via USPS) my little tort last November. I believe he was around 3 months old. As best I can tell he was from a reputable breeder.
Now, in the last month or so I've been realizing there was a lot of info I missed, or wasn't clear on, about raising this guy, and between myself and my roommate who cared for him, he hasn't gotten the best start so far...
So I'm here trying to improve!!
I've read the stickied posts which were full of great info!! I do, however, have some more specific questions...
I'm attaching a picture of his current inclosure. Its a 20gal long tank. I know its not big enough. I'm working on finding/making something bigger for him, but that's where I would love some suggestions. Its started to get cold here, and while I'm pretty handy, between the cold weather and time constraints I would rather purchase a system if there is one that may be sufficient... I've just not been able to find any :/
His substrate is about 50% peatmoss/organic topsoil mix and 50% mulch (I can't remember the type, but it was purchased from the petstore and labeled for torts, snakes, etc)
My previous duel heat/UVB light just died (he had a night heat lamp too) so I replaced both lamps and have a dedicated fluorescent UVB bulb and a ceramic heat emitter. I'm still having trouble maintaining the correct temperature, even for such a small enclosure.
Because I figured part of the reason it wasn't staying warm was because it was a glass tank, I wrapped 3 of the glass sides in aluminum foil for "insulation" (please don't be afraid to tell me that's a stupid idea haha) and the lid (which is a screen top) I have almost completely sealed, also with aluminum foil.
Currently the temp in the middle of the enclosure sits around 75, and he spends most of his time directly under the heat lamp.
He's started pyramiding. This past spring he was mostly in the care of my roommate and, while she did her best, I know she kept his enclosure very very dry (he's a desert tort! she said). I realize the humidity is most likely the problem, and I've started spraying his enclosure with about half a spray bottle of hot water once a day. I've also gone back to soaking him about 3x a week.
I also think he's way too small. Pictures attached. Like I said, he's about a year old :/
Oh, as for his diet, he's been getting grass and some spring mix (because my current roommate loves watching him eat the spring mix haha, she's fascinated by him!)