Leopard tortoise temp issue.

[David Harmon]

hello,

I haven't been on in a while so am after little advice regarding a temperature issue, of a day am using a MVB for 12 hours and of a evening a CHE for the remaining 12 hours, but I've noticed the temperature of the evening drops to 74F which i think is to low for them, the humidity is 80, there both eating well and have a great appetite, have baths everyday and fresh greens and mazuri twice a week, but the main issue is how do i raise the temps am currently using a habistat for the evening with the CHE, do i need a improved one? as i notice today the leopard has a little runny nose which i would be grateful for advice how to improve.
Also i was meant to add he goes to the toilet fine and looks the same as normal and he sits in the water dish when he wants.

Thanks for any help.

 

[christinaland128]

I noticed with an entirely closed enclosure I was able to hold in heat with no problem. I actually had to get a lower wattage CHE because my 150W was too much heat. Maybe you can get a higher wattage and put it on a reptistat to ensure it doesn't get too hot.

 

[David Harmon]

Am on a 100watt and i use a habistat thermostat to control the temp but i think i need a high watt like you've suggested, is the reptistat the same as a habistat? the day temp is fine 31c in the vivarium so i think the issue is the night temps, and what the best way to treat the runny nose?

Thanks for the reply, i was meant to add theres a lot of new growth on the leopard as well and weighs 900gram for 1 year old is that acceptable.

 

[christinaland128]

That's what I meant, lol sorry, habistat.

Hopefully the runny nose subsides when you raise your nighttime temps. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will jump in soon. Good luck to you.

 

[Jodie]

74F is likely the cause of the runny nose. You can up the CHE wattage or add a second one. I would get the temps up to 85 min, until the nose clears up. Use a thermostat to keep ambient at the desired temp. They all grow at different rates. I have a trio of clutchmates, all raised the same way that just turned 2. The smallest is still under 1000 grams, and the largest almost 4000 grams.

 

[Tom]

Your MVB should be on a timer, and your CHE should be on a thermostat 24/7. There shouldn't be any temp dip. If there is it means one or more of several possibilities:
1. The top is too open and letting your heat out.
2. You need a higher wattage CHE.
3. You need to add a second CHE to spread the heat out over a greater area to warm up the whole thing.

Right now, as in RIGHT THIS SECOND, you need to warm things up. Do not wait. Not one more cold night. Warm temps up to a minimum of 85 (30C) and leave them that warm for two full weeks after you see no more runny nose symptoms. It will be important to soak every day in a warm area during this time to prevent dehydration. Don't let the soak water get cold, and don't soak in a cold area.

Them living as a pair might also be a contributing factor. They should be separated, or after you get the temperatures and health issues sorted, you should add one or two of similar size. Living as a pair is very stressful on them, and stress can hamper the immune system.

 

[Alexio]

I may have missed this entirely but is the other tort you have also a leopard? It was just the way you referenced him as the Leopard like it was the only one.
Also what is the size of the enclosure? Could you provide a picture? If your able adding a second CHE and plugging them into your thermostat is the way to go. I was having a similar problem in one of my leopards enclosures I had a 150 wt Che that was hovering around 79/80 at night running all night. I added a second 100 wt CHE and in moments I had my temps up and stabilized.

 

[von345]

My mom had the brilliant and cheap idea of making a kind of teepee looking thing and putting it over the cage with the night heat on. Fixed this problem. Cheap and easy you should try it

 

[David Harmon]

Hello Thank you for all the replies yesterday, I have my MVB on a timer and also the CHE is on a timer, The tortoises don't live together and have separate vivariums which are 6ft x 6ft this is enclosed and not even open, i have 2xleopards 4xhermanns 1xpancake 1xredfoot and the only issue is the 1 leopard, the day temp in the leopard vivarium is 31-32c in the enclosure, i bath them everyday as i did state this early, its just the night temp am struggling with so i have bought a 150 watt CHE today.

Thanks and any other advice will be helpful.

 

[wellington]

The leopard with runny nose, raise his day and night temps to 85 with appropriate basking until the nose clears up, then the over all day and night can drop back down to 80. Be sure your measuring temps with a realizable source. The disc type one pet stores sell are not very reliable and also be sure temps are monitored at tort level.

 

[David Harmon]

Your MVB should be on a timer, and your CHE should be on a thermostat 24/7. There shouldn't be any temp dip. If there is it means one or more of several possibilities:
1. The top is too open and letting your heat out.
2. You need a higher wattage CHE.
3. You need to add a second CHE to spread the heat out over a greater area to warm up the whole thing.

Right now, as in RIGHT THIS SECOND, you need to warm things up. Do not wait. Not one more cold night. Warm temps up to a minimum of 85 (30C) and leave them that warm for two full weeks after you see no more runny nose symptoms. It will be important to soak every day in a warm area during this time to prevent dehydration. Don't let the soak water get cold, and don't soak in a cold area.

Them living as a pair might also be a contributing factor. They should be separated, or after you get the temperatures and health issues sorted, you should add one or two of similar size. Living as a pair is very stressful on them, and stress can hamper the immune system.

Hello Tom,

Was meant to ask a question what are the best temps of the daytime and evening so i can achieve them, at the moment the day temps in the vivarium are ambient temp is 31c and the basking spot with MVB is 37c is this ok? and humidity is 89%. I have installed a extra CHE 150 watt as of yesterday as well with a habistat. and what did you mean by the soak water (as in when bath or drinking water)
Thanks in advance.

 

[David Harmon]

The leopard with runny nose, raise his day and night temps to 85 with appropriate basking until the nose clears up, then the over all day and night can drop back down to 80. Be sure your measuring temps with a realizable source. The disc type one pet stores sell are not very reliable and also be sure temps are monitored at tort level.

Hello wellington i use a hydrometer test with temperature and temperature gun to check the temps at the level of the tortoise.

 

[Tom]

Hello Tom,

Was meant to ask a question what are the best temps of the daytime and evening so i can achieve them, at the moment the day temps in the vivarium are ambient temp is 31c and the basking spot with MVB is 37c is this ok? and humidity is 89%. I have installed a extra CHE 150 watt as of yesterday as well with a habistat. and what did you mean by the soak water (as in when bath or drinking water)
Thanks in advance.

These temps are good for now. After the runny nose symptoms are gone for two weeks, you can set the ambient back down to around 26-27C.

It is recommended that you soak your tortoise regularly in a tall sided opaque tub of some sort. A clean bathtub can work. I use plastic tubs. The water should be warm, not hot, not cool, and go about halfway up the shell. Leave the tortoise in there for about 20-30 minutes. Babies should be soaked every day, and older ones a bit less. There is no harm in soaking more than they need. During the course of the soak, the water will cool rapidly in an open container in a cool room. You can use a heat pad, a lid, or soak somewhere warmer, like inside the enclosure to keep the water temp up. They usually poop in the soak, so you might want to "refresh" the water periodically.

 

[David Harmon]

Hi Tom,

Ok thank you I've noticed the improvement right away since I've changed the CHE to 150 watt, so i will leave the temps as they are for now, mine always go the toilet in the water too. Thank you for the help and to everyone else in this matter.