Here is Manny!

[kylemaier]

Hey Everyone, just wanted to say thanks again for your help. Still getting things dialled in. Humidity seems to sit at 60 and can climb high but usually only after a misting. Is it worth it to by one of those reptile misters?? Also since I've been reading it seems like the compact coil bulbs are terrible? I am currently using Exo Terra Reptile UVB100 (former Repti Glo 5.0 Compact) should I switch to the Zoo Med power sun 100W? And if I did that I wouldn't need to use the ceramic heater bulb..right? Manny is only 13 weeks old and I don't want hime to have any health problems related to my negligence. He doesn't go in his hide anymore, her prefers burrowing under a potted plant in the corner. Also is shell is hard but does have a little give to it, is this normal? and one of his scutes goes slightly in, just a barely noticeable indent, should I be worried??
He eats well, active enough, eyes look good, so does his belly and I also took a picture of his poop! enjoy




Thanks Again

 

[crimson_lotus]

If you do have the coil bulb, definitely get rid of it as it can potentially blind and kill your tortoise. A quick search on this forum can verify that - there are a lot of issues with those bulbs. They don't even give off that much UVB. I recommend buying the Power Sun Mercury Vapor lamp as it provides UVB, heat and light at the same time while still using the ceramic heat emitter at night. Tortoises need it dark at night to sleep just like we do, and this species needs to be kept warm at all times.

Make sure you monitor your temperatures and humidity, because you will never want it too cold with humidity. The gauges you get at the pet store are often inaccurate so I would recommend buying a digital one. I bought mine at home depot for $10, it's an Acu-Rite Hygrometer and you will need to put it at substrate level where your tortoise hangs out.

I have never had a baby tortoise but I believe it is absolutely normal for your tortoise to have a soft shell at such a young age. If you push on it and it springs back, it's OK.

For humidity, how large is your enclosure? Is it an open top?

 

[crimson_lotus]

Forgot to mention - he is very cute, and I love his coloring

 

[wellington]

Have you visited the tortoiselibrary.com yet? Check it out, it's a great site for RF owners, besides others. It's also one of our members sites. It will help you a lot.

 

[kylemaier]

If you do have the coil bulb, definitely get rid of it as it can potentially blind and kill your tortoise. A quick search on this forum can verify that - there are a lot of issues with those bulbs. They don't even give off that much UVB. I recommend buying the Power Sun Mercury Vapor lamp as it provides UVB, heat and light at the same time while still using the ceramic heat emitter at night. Tortoises need it dark at night to sleep just like we do, and this species needs to be kept warm at all times.

Make sure you monitor your temperatures and humidity, because you will never want it too cold with humidity. The gauges you get at the pet store are often inaccurate so I would recommend buying a digital one. I bought mine at home depot for $10, it's an Acu-Rite Hygrometer and you will need to put it at substrate level where your tortoise hangs out.

I have never had a baby tortoise but I believe it is absolutely normal for your tortoise to have a soft shell at such a young age. If you push on it and it springs back, it's OK.

For humidity, how large is your enclosure? Is it an open top?

I've gotten the digital reader for hum/temp its way more accurate. its a closed top roughneck rubbermaid bin for now. Temp sits from 80-100 never really have a problem with that. Its just the humidity I worry about, I think I'm just a little anxious. I'm sure he's fine. nighttime temp sits around 80-88.

 

[kylemaier]

Have you visited the tortoiselibrary.com yet? Check it out, it's a great site for RF owners, besides others. It's also one of our members sites. It will help you a lot.

Checking it out now, its great!