I have some thoughts on this as well. Some of wich I have posted on TFO and some I have shared in private conversations wtih you. I'll share another and this one came about in some emails sent between Bill Zovickian and myself. I am thinking that we keep hatchling tortoises way too hot. The recommendation that hatchlings be kept 80-85 ambient temp I think is right on par, but the 100+ basking spot is way, way too hot. As I have stated here before, I keep all my torts outside. My hatchlings never, well 99% never, bask in direct sunlight. If it were not for the occasional treat that I may toss in for them, they would never get direct full sunlight. In the morning they come to the edge of the tall grass, shrub or bush to catch indirect or partial sun. Durring this time they are in more shade than sun. At mid day they seen to go deeper in the tall grass, shrub or bush and recieve no sun at all. In the afternoon they will come to the edge of the vegitation once again, but never fully exposing themselves. I have noticed that with my leopards they will do this untill their about 5-7 inches. At that point they will become more brave or comfortable and actually bask in the full sun. I think in an indoor situation the amount of humidity is in direct corilation with the basking temps. The hotter the bask, the more humidity you need to combat it. The cooler the bask, the less humidity you need. Bill Z said that he had observed wild populations of tortoises acting in the same manner as what I have witnessed here at home. He also says that he doesnt provide full basking spots for his torts untill they are almost 7". He keeps all his hatchling tortoises except pyxis, on eucalyptus mulch, dry and only provides uva and b without heat. He also maintains them at 85 degrees. He also points out that after 7" he will provide basking spots but not all day as they will just tend to sit and bask. I am thinking that in the wild tortoises will heat themselves and start foraging and that action doesnt necissarily mean they are in full sun all day either. In captivity, there is really no need for tortoises to forage. Their food is on schedule or readily available so all they have to do is bask. Could it be that basking, however necissary for a tortoise is also addicting to them as well and this excessive basking is leading to them being exposed to unnecissary heat causing us to crank up the humidity to unnatural levels? Sorry for the rambling just some more off the wall jargin from yours truly