Humidity

[Patience&Wisdom]

I'd appriciate any help with increasing humidity please, I'm using coco coir and fine orchid bark in the corners as they like to dig but I'm having to change it weekly as it gets so dry. I have tried to spray inside the vivarium with water but I heard it can cause shell rott and i have used a bit of moss but im scared they will try to eat it, but humidity after a day or two of fresh coco coir drops to 40%. Basking light is usually around 95f and ambient heat is around 80f any tips on increasing humidity will be much appriciated thanks I have attached enclosure pictures

 

[Tom]

Increase humidity by closing in the top and keeping the substrate damp. Too much ventilation, especially at the top, dries everything out. Spraying doesn't do much other than cause evaporative cooling. You have to dump water into the substrate. How much water and how often varies tremendously. You need enough to keep it damp, not sopping wet.

Red foot tortoises are prone to shell rot in constant overly wet conditions. Other tortoise species, like your Testudo are not. I can't recall ever seeing a case of shell rot on a Testudo species. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it is highly unlikely to ever happen. The whole point of using orchid bark and coco coir is so that you can keep it continually damp. to aid with humidity. Those two substrates, and cypress mulch too, to not rot and they inhibit mold, fungal, and bacterial growth. You don't have to replace them very often if you spot clean daily. Once a year, if that. You can spray your tortoises and the enclosure 4 times every day and you will never see shell rot.

Moss will be eaten and it can cause impaction. I would not use it.

 

[Patience&Wisdom]

Increase humidity by closing in the top and keeping the substrate damp. Too much ventilation, especially at the top, dries everything out. Spraying doesn't do much other than cause evaporative cooling. You have to dump water into the substrate. How much water and how often varies tremendously. You need enough to keep it damp, not sopping wet.

Red foot tortoises are prone to shell rot in constant overly wet conditions. Other tortoise species, like your Testudo are not. I can't recall ever seeing a case of shell rot on a Testudo species. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it is highly unlikely to ever happen. The whole point of using orchid bark and coco coir is so that you can keep it continually damp. to aid with humidity. Those two substrates, and cypress mulch too, to not rot and they inhibit mold, fungal, and bacterial growth. You don't have to replace them very often if you spot clean daily. Once a year, if that. You can spray your tortoises and the enclosure 4 times every day and you will never see shell rot.

Moss will be eaten and it can cause impaction. I would not use it.

That's great thanks for the help Tom I have been spot cleaning but not keeping the soil damp which is why it's drying so quick, i will make sure to wet the soil and pack it in rather then just spray it thanks again

 

[COmtnLady]

Side issue -

In the pictures of your set-up you have the plastic water dishes from a pet shop. They are not good to use. They are difficult for your tortoise to get into and out of, The plastic is slippery. Better would be terracotta plant saucer(s). They come in lots of sizes (you'd want one that is big enough for your tortoise to easily turn around in - and bigger is better). Terracotta provides a rough enough surface that tortoises of all sizes can get traction. The sides of the saucers slant outward and are lower so that little ones can get over them more easily, and they are a much lower tipping-over hazard. Sink them down into the substrate so that their rim is level with the substrate surface. It is a much better/safer choice.

 

[Patience&Wisdom]

Yes they are plastic ones thank you so much I'll grab them some terracotta saucers appreciate the help!

 

[COmtnLady]

I love how your set up fits under the clock. Its a perfect nook for it!

 

[Patience&Wisdom]

I love how your set up fits under the clock. Its a perfect nook for it!

Aww thanks it fit perfectly in that spot!