Lindsinic
Member
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2017
- Messages
- 30
I don't mean to throw a huge bout of confusion into everything, but I have a Golden Greek hatchling. I recently took him to a reputable exotic pet veterinarian.
I was confused because the place I got Rocky from advised me to mist the tank each day, give him warm soaks each day, etc. Create a moist, humid environment basically. However, I had read something completely contradictory in a Reptile Magazine online article. This particular article explained that Golden Greeks are, in fact, a desert species adapted to dry, hot climates. Too much moisture for these tortoises can cause shell rot.
I brought this up to the vet and she explained that a tortoise will thrive best if the captive habitat mimics its natural habitat. And she said Reptile Magazine is a reputable and trustworthy source for information. She recommended that a very shallow, accessible water dish (changed at least once daily to remain fresh) be available to Rocky if he is parched. A good deal of moisture will be obtained through food...especially since we rinse them before feeding. A bath soak is only necessary once every 3 days. She mentioned the washable reptile carpet or even newspaper in most of enclosure with a small space fir deeper substrate.
We had a custom 3'x6' tortoise table built and we are using one CHE bulb centered over habitat (always on) and a 100W basking/UV bulb (on 12 hour timer) to one side. It is critical that you get your basking/UV bulb tested (our vet does it for free) so that they can tell you the exact height that it should be above your tortoise.
Main area is lined with reptile carpet and his "house" has some deep coconut fiber for burrowing at night.
The one thing we are still struggling with is calcium supplementing. I know that too little is harmful and too much is harmful. Our current powder has dosage directions of 1/2 tsp. daily per pound of food. Rocky is a tiny guy, he eats a minuscule fraction of a pound. If I could find a calcium powder that has dosage instructions per weight of tortoise that would be so much easier. I can just keep up on Rocky's weight and I'll always know he's getting a safe amount of calcium. If ANYONE knows of such a calcium powder please share.
Rocky moved into his new digs today and he's been so much more active than he was in his large glass tank. Seems to be happy exploring. If anyone sees any way to improve his home please let me know. See pic.
I was confused because the place I got Rocky from advised me to mist the tank each day, give him warm soaks each day, etc. Create a moist, humid environment basically. However, I had read something completely contradictory in a Reptile Magazine online article. This particular article explained that Golden Greeks are, in fact, a desert species adapted to dry, hot climates. Too much moisture for these tortoises can cause shell rot.
I brought this up to the vet and she explained that a tortoise will thrive best if the captive habitat mimics its natural habitat. And she said Reptile Magazine is a reputable and trustworthy source for information. She recommended that a very shallow, accessible water dish (changed at least once daily to remain fresh) be available to Rocky if he is parched. A good deal of moisture will be obtained through food...especially since we rinse them before feeding. A bath soak is only necessary once every 3 days. She mentioned the washable reptile carpet or even newspaper in most of enclosure with a small space fir deeper substrate.
We had a custom 3'x6' tortoise table built and we are using one CHE bulb centered over habitat (always on) and a 100W basking/UV bulb (on 12 hour timer) to one side. It is critical that you get your basking/UV bulb tested (our vet does it for free) so that they can tell you the exact height that it should be above your tortoise.
Main area is lined with reptile carpet and his "house" has some deep coconut fiber for burrowing at night.
The one thing we are still struggling with is calcium supplementing. I know that too little is harmful and too much is harmful. Our current powder has dosage directions of 1/2 tsp. daily per pound of food. Rocky is a tiny guy, he eats a minuscule fraction of a pound. If I could find a calcium powder that has dosage instructions per weight of tortoise that would be so much easier. I can just keep up on Rocky's weight and I'll always know he's getting a safe amount of calcium. If ANYONE knows of such a calcium powder please share.
Rocky moved into his new digs today and he's been so much more active than he was in his large glass tank. Seems to be happy exploring. If anyone sees any way to improve his home please let me know. See pic.