My Hatchlings Indoor Home...

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jtpaintball5

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Hi everyone,
I recently received two California Desert Hatchlings and my dad built me a starter enclosure for them. After reading conflicting information regarding sand/dirt (50/50) mix I decided to discover for myself the results. I put a lot of time getting top soil, and playsand from Lowe's. Unfortunately, after two weeks I began to realize the tortoise hatchlings would drag their food threw the sand then eat it afterwards. Sometimes I'd come home to find sand in their eyes, therefore, I made the executive decision to scrap the sand/dirt mix and use Aspen bedding. Seems like I can read and receive tons of information but you quickly realize for yourself what works and doesn't. I have a few comments regarding my own enclosure for newbies like myself.... First, finding a rubbermaid tub that isn't quite as deep as mine. The six I have placed into the wood structure are about five/six inches deep, and I consumed a lot of Aspen bedding just to elevate to the surface to make it flat above for the tortoises. When the tubs were full of sand/dirt it was real heavy! Second, I would try and make something a little less tall. I have two cats and therefore, the tapered top prevents them from jumping on top of the enclosure. Third, try spending less money as well. I bought a lot of the nice wood so it would be presentable and lighter in terms of weight.
I can't wait for my Sulcata hatchling next week. I'm already starting on a new enclosure for that one... If you have any questions/concerns let me know. Thanks.

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egyptiandan

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Hi Austin,
I like the set-up :) Just a few things I'd change. One is the basking spot, the light you have is throwing heat into the enclosure, but not making a basking spot. You need to have the light in the enclosure and pointing straight down.
The other is the things you can do when you have the seperate containers for substrate. I would do two with aspen, one with dirt (no sand), one with dirt and a layer of river rocks on top, one that you have grown a grazing grass mix in and one you can grow a plant mix specificly for desert tortoises.

Danny
 

jtpaintball5

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egyptiandan said:
Hi Austin,
I like the set-up :) Just a few things I'd change. One is the basking spot, the light you have is throwing heat into the enclosure, but not making a basking spot. You need to have the light in the enclosure and pointing straight down.
The other is the things you can do when you have the seperate containers for substrate. I would do two with aspen, one with dirt (no sand), one with dirt and a layer of river rocks on top, one that you have grown a grazing grass mix in and one you can grow a plant mix specificly for desert tortoises.

Danny


Hey Danny thanks,
The light you see coming from the right side of the enclosure is in fact a heat lamp I turn on during the night. Above the enclosure is a florescent bulb, heat light, and day light. I turn all three during the day and it creates a basking spot to the far right.
I wanted to originally make different substrates however, I found I didn't design the rubbermaid tubs with a drainage system therefore, planting would be difficult because I couldn't actually use water. Next, dirt seems to be so dusty and messy. I'll probably change up the setting in six months and this time I want to have a drainage system with different substrate.
 
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