New tort mom has questions

[Newtortmom13]

So my sweet Morgaine is my first step into the tort world. She is eating well and her lights and humidity are all on point but she doesn't really bask she is always in her hide on the warm side unless she is eating never goes in the humid hide what am I doing wrong???

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

Please tell us what kind of tortoise it is, how long you have had it, how big it is, you know the "W"s who what when where why and how.

 

[Newtortmom13]

That would help... She is a sulcata I got her two weeks ago at repticon. She is the by about 2 inches or so. She has a humid side and a warm side in her encloser she eats well but then she goes right back in her hide I have yet to actually see her bask or go to the humid side of her encloser

 

[Ray--Opo]

Pics of your enclosure would be great. The lighting you have may be hurting his eyes.

 

[Newtortmom13]

Ok right side is the humid side with sphagnum moss log and water dish. Left side is hot side with light and a fake rock hide. I am in the process of moving once were moved I'll be building her a tort table for now the 20 gallon is what she is in until next month.

Please tell us what kind of tortoise it is, how long you have had it, how big it is, you know the "W"s who what when where why and how.

 

[Ray--Opo]

I

Ok right side is the humid side with sphagnum moss log and water dish. Left side is hot side with light and a fake rock hide. I am in the process of moving once were moved I'll be building her a tort table for now the 20 gallon is what she is in until next month.View attachment 287811View attachment 287812View attachment 287813View attachment 287814

Change your hydrometer and temp gauge. Those are inaccurate, plus you want them placed low so you know the conditions at his level. One like this is a temp/ hydrometer combo with external probes.
A infrared temp gun is a very useful tool. You can get temp readings anywhere in your enclosure.

I am not sure about mercury bulbs I have never used one. Maybe @Kapidolo Farms can guide you there. You also need a night time heat source with no light. A CHE(ceramic heat emitter is needed. I would recommend a 100watt with a domed fixture with a temp adjustment inline with the power cord. They need light for 12 hours and total darkness for 12hrs. You can put your light on a timer.
Sink your water dish into the substrate so your tort doesn't have to climb over the edge.
Read the caresheet here under sulcata species section. I will let you soak this info in. Will add to it soon.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi and welcome!

Your enclosure is too open and barren for a new baby. Baby tortoises are prey and they stay hidden as much as possible. If you put a few plants around in the enclosure, either real or fake, the tortoise may be more visible. Also, the plants will help to diffuse that harsh lighting. Those Mercury Vapor Bulbs tend to dry out little tortoise bodies, so be sure to soak the baby daily.

Please change out your reptile waterer (that's made for lizards and snakes) and use instead a small plant saucer that you sink down into the substrate.

 

[Newtortmom13]

Thanks for the tips Yvonne G

 

[ZEROPILOT]

He needs a humid enclosure. Not a humid side.