Humidity

[lindseyjordan10]

What is the humidity supposed to be in my baby sulcatas enclosure?

 

[J REED]

I have been told at LEAST 45 and up..

Jeremy

 

[lindseyjordan10]

Mine is at 34 right now. So anything above 40 is ok?

 

[erica anne]

The ideal humidity for a Sulcata's enclosure is 80% and up. The top of the enclosure usually needs to be covered to achieve this. When I switched to this type of enclosure my torts pyramiding was drastically improved.

 

[Tom]

Baby sulcatas hatch into the rainy season in Africa. It's very hot, wet and humid. Many areas are marshy.

Given this info, I have had good success keeping my humidity around 80% and never letting ambient temp drop below 80, day or night. I also off a humid hide, and a basking spot of around 100 degrees during the day.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

80% is common practice

 

[lindseyjordan10]

this is what he is in right now. When I spray down his enclosure the humidity goes up but i cant get it to stay up at 80

 

[J REED]

I agree with the 80 but all the research ive done says its ok at 50 but preferably higher like 80.May be overwhelming for her to think she needs to jump to 80...just work on getting it up.

Jeremy

 

[lindseyjordan10]

I have it at 50 right now and it got there because I sprayed it down with a water bottle, but it probably wont stay at 50. How can I keep it up?

 

[erica anne]

I use coco coir for my substrate and pour water on it to keep it damp/wet. I also spray down the enclosure and use a humid hide. Even with the top covered it is tricky to keep humidity up to 80% but just try to keep it as high as possible. Do you soak your tort regularly? Keeping them well hydrated is key as well

 

[lindseyjordan10]

I will try pouring water on it. The most I cant get it up to when I spray it is 50, but after a fee minutes it starts to drop again. He has been soaked every day since ive gotten him

 

[dk1234]

I have a similar enclosure and it really is true that you won't be able to get your humidity up until you close as much of the top as possible. I have a large plastic storage container that came with a lid. I essentially cut a third of the lid off and put the rest on top of the enclosure to cover 2/3 of the top. As for the remaining third that is open, I have my ceramic heating element and basking light hanging over it and I cover it all up with foil. I got the foil idea from this forum and it works great for me.

I also second the suggestion to switch to coco coir. It holds moisture really well.

Judging from your picture, it looks like you will have to do a significant amount of tinkering to get your humidity up. I would also suggest that maybe you should get a larger enclosure if space allows. I figure you're going to have to make a good amount of changes in order to get your humidity up, so might as well get a bigger enclosure now so you don't have to deal with it later. Once you put the tort in the right conditions, they grow pretty fast, and it's a pain in the butt to keep changing enclosures.

Finally, I see that you're using a coil UVB bulb. I converted away from using those, as they may harm your tort's eyes. To paraphrase Tom, you may get lucky and the coil UVB bulb may not harm your tort, but even a 1% chance is too high to risk it. I very much agree with this. Just taking it outside periodically for natural sunlight is a better source of UVB anyway and that's what I now do for my tort.

It's good that you're asking questions now and I hope you're open to changes. I kept mine in too dry conditions for too long and it got a little bit of pyramiding that I will regret for a really long time.

 

[gwenn]

hello you can not make your sulcata wet. teritorium should only be 80% moisture. the turtle will feel cold during the day but if you do then the lights on this road soon .. in the Sahel where they live int is also true

Sent from my GT-I9100 using TortForum mobile app

 

[Tom]

hello you can not make your sulcata wet. teritorium should only be 80% moisture. the turtle will feel cold during the day but if you do then the lights on this road soon .. in the Sahel where they live int is also true

Sent from my GT-I9100 using TortForum mobile app

I'm not sure exactly what you are trying to say, but yes, sulcatas CAN get wet and its good for them.

A tortoise in an 80 degree enclosure with a 100 degree basking spot sold not ever "feel cold".

And yes they do get wet in the Sahel during the 3-4 month rainy season every year. I've seen a number of photographs of wild sulcatas hanging out in the water in the seasonal marshes that form.

 

[lindseyjordan10]

What about just getting a humidifier?

 

[Walkers]

Even with a humidifier you will not hold the right humidity with that much of the enclosure open. You need to use a lid to keep in the humidity and heat as well, such as the plastic lid it came
With or aluminum foil or plexi glass. Just cut out your holes for lighting and for fresh air to come in

 

[J REED]

Pour in some water like stated above and use the lid that goes to tha bin to cover it up most of the way

Jeremy