Moisture for a 12-year-old Hermann's
- Thread starter Rhiannon
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welcome to the forum! can you post some pics of the enclosure and the tort? i would soak the tort everyday in warm water and have the humidity at around 80%
Welcome to the forum, Rhiannon! I have 2 Hermann's tortoises. The male is probably around 11-12. We're not sure. I keep the humidity at around 60-75. My guys like to self soak--in other words, make poop soup--and I mist or pour water on them, whenever I see them is their water dish. They're doing really well. I've had them almost 1.5 yrs. I was told by the owner that they were full grown, but they're both a bit bigger. The male grew almost a full centimetre and the female, over 1cm. 
This is my F, Darwin. We guesstimated her age to be at least 6-7 yrs.
This is my F, Darwin. We guesstimated her age to be at least 6-7 yrs.
Your tortoise is beautiful! I'd like to give my Henrietta a plate like that to soak in when she wants, as soon as I figure out what her new bedding is going to be. I have been using those alfalfa pellets that pet stores have recommended, but I never liked them. They're too dry, and they're gross when they get wet. What do you use? I like the idea of organic topsoil that I saw mentioned here, and I think she would really like sand, but I think I'm too paranoid to try it. I haven't been able to find a good vet for her in my area, so I'm obsessive about preventing health problems.
Sand is not recommended as if they ingest it, it can cause impaction. 100% top soil, peat moss, coco coir, eco earth, cypress mulch all work well. I have loved cypress mulch, I added a little bit of peat moss and eco earth and the humidity holds well in my open topped table at 50-60%.
I have started soaking every day for 20-30 minutes without letting the water get cold to ensure good hydration. Some say for adults every other day.
When you've used top soil, have you literally gotten top soil from a garden store, or is there a special soil just for animals that the people on this forum buy? Also, I'm wondering about cleaning and replacing it. Do people usually just spot clean, or is it typical to do a full change now and then? Also, I'm interested in what you're saying about keeping your table at 50-60% humidity. That is where I try to keep mine, but I have seen others on here and elsewhere say it should be between 75 and 80%. Are there different theories on this?
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/
Here's a caresheet by a well respected breeder here on the forum. He suggest about 70% humidity for your species.
For top soil, it's REALLY hard to find 100% with no additives etc. I went and picked up 100% peat moss as a substitute.
I only spot clean, but I think a change out maybe every 6 months to a year would be beneficial, in my opinion.
Here's a caresheet by a well respected breeder here on the forum. He suggest about 70% humidity for your species.
For top soil, it's REALLY hard to find 100% with no additives etc. I went and picked up 100% peat moss as a substitute.
I only spot clean, but I think a change out maybe every 6 months to a year would be beneficial, in my opinion.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Premier-3-cu-ft-Peat-Moss-70976040/100626048
This is what I got and BOY there's A LOT in there. It's very heavy and is like a life time supply. AND SAFE.
@HermanniChris should be able to fill you in on correct humidity, I don't want to misinform, as I only have a Russian, not a Hermanns. There's plenty of other members that know too, so hopefully someone can chime in!
This is what I got and BOY there's A LOT in there. It's very heavy and is like a life time supply. AND SAFE.
@HermanniChris should be able to fill you in on correct humidity, I don't want to misinform, as I only have a Russian, not a Hermanns. There's plenty of other members that know too, so hopefully someone can chime in!
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