So far for 2011 we have this one:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-VitaShell--27085#axzz1OkqZ1aQx
And this one:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Humid-Hatchling-Chamber#axzz1OkqZ1aQx
Both of these are going very well and I will be posting updates on them as we go along.
So here is #3:
It is actually a big bird brooder. It has a very precisely controlled thermostat and two ways to control humidity. I, of course will be keeping humidity high. It is set on a 12 hour timer for 92 degrees while its on. So at 7am it kicks on and quickly warms up to 92 and at 7pm it kicks off and gradually cools to the room temp of 80. This one is different than the "humid chamber experiment" in that they don't have a choice about warmth. In the humid chamber they can get on or off their heat mat as they see fit. In this one they just get warm and thats that. I might fiddle with the temp, if I see a need. This one was inspired by Neal, whose vet told him to keep a sick star tortoise in an incubator during treatment, and Norman who keeps some pretty amazing species, and keeps them gorgeous too, but doesn't use heat lamps or hot spots. At least those are the main two gentlemen that put this idea in my head.
3 of my recent 12 Deloris' hatchlings are in here. I'm planning on running this one for around 6 months, unless there is the slightest hint of a problem or they just outgrow it too fast. Its about 30" long and 18" wide. These babies will still get daily soaks and an hour or two of sunshine in an outdoor pen around 5 days a week. They will also get the same diet and supplement routine as all the other ones.
There will be a 4th and possibly fifth experiment with these hatchlings this year, but more on those later...
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-VitaShell--27085#axzz1OkqZ1aQx
And this one:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/Thread-Humid-Hatchling-Chamber#axzz1OkqZ1aQx
Both of these are going very well and I will be posting updates on them as we go along.
So here is #3:
It is actually a big bird brooder. It has a very precisely controlled thermostat and two ways to control humidity. I, of course will be keeping humidity high. It is set on a 12 hour timer for 92 degrees while its on. So at 7am it kicks on and quickly warms up to 92 and at 7pm it kicks off and gradually cools to the room temp of 80. This one is different than the "humid chamber experiment" in that they don't have a choice about warmth. In the humid chamber they can get on or off their heat mat as they see fit. In this one they just get warm and thats that. I might fiddle with the temp, if I see a need. This one was inspired by Neal, whose vet told him to keep a sick star tortoise in an incubator during treatment, and Norman who keeps some pretty amazing species, and keeps them gorgeous too, but doesn't use heat lamps or hot spots. At least those are the main two gentlemen that put this idea in my head.
3 of my recent 12 Deloris' hatchlings are in here. I'm planning on running this one for around 6 months, unless there is the slightest hint of a problem or they just outgrow it too fast. Its about 30" long and 18" wide. These babies will still get daily soaks and an hour or two of sunshine in an outdoor pen around 5 days a week. They will also get the same diet and supplement routine as all the other ones.
There will be a 4th and possibly fifth experiment with these hatchlings this year, but more on those later...