Taco got an enclosure reno

Shaybe13

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I just finished renovating Taco's enclosure! I added a new hide (he outgrew his old one), new plants, and some more sphagnum moss. He seems to love it so far!
 

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wellington

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The moss should not be used. It can tangle their limbs and lots of torts like to eat it and it can tangle their insides or cause impaction.
If you insist on using it, cut it up into tiny pieces so it at least can't tangle.
 

Shaybe13

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Roanoke, VA
The moss should not be used. It can tangle their limbs and lots of torts like to eat it and it can tangle their insides or cause impaction.
If you insist on using it, cut it up into tiny pieces so it at least can't tangle.
I have monitored him closely and he doesn't try to eat it and he is big enough that he doesn't get tangled up. I will take it out if it causes any issues!
 

TheTattooedTortoise

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It's a nice looking enclosure!
Personally I'd be mindful of sharp splinters from the bark substrate you have in there... more for getting wedged into shell gaps near limbs etc.
As mentioned before in the thread, spagnum moss is potential health hazard. I know you say he doesn't eat it but with the cuttle and food being so close the accidental ingestion risk is pretty real.
It would be great to have in my humid hide and areas of the table too but I'd never forgive myself if I ignored all the advice from massively experienced members and my tort got sick or even worse ?
Not trying to p*ss on your parade at all, we all just want a safe n happy Taco ???
 

Shaybe13

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Roanoke, VA
It's a nice looking enclosure!
Personally I'd be mindful of sharp splinters from the bark substrate you have in there... more for getting wedged into shell gaps near limbs etc.
As mentioned before in the thread, spagnum moss is potential health hazard. I know you say he doesn't eat it but with the cuttle and food being so close the accidental ingestion risk is pretty real.
It would be great to have in my humid hide and areas of the table too but I'd never forgive myself if I ignored all the advice from massively experienced members and my tort got sick or even worse ?
Not trying to p*ss on your parade at all, we all just want a safe n happy Taco ???
Thank you for your advice! What would you recommend in place of the bark? I've seen a lot of forum members recommend it, otherwise the top layer gets too moist and can cause shell rot.
 

TheTattooedTortoise

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Thank you for your advice! What would you recommend in place of the bark? I've seen a lot of forum members recommend it, otherwise the top layer gets too moist and can cause shell rot.
I use coco coir, mixed with a bit of sterilized top soil (3:1 coco:soil) as my base... hold moisture really well, and the repti bark/orchid bark over the top... its very uniformed stuff, no sharp edges, looks great and keeps a nice dry top layer under foot. So no shell rot risk and the tort can dig past the bark into the coco/soil mix underneath to seek out moisture etc.
I'm yet to have any mold issues etc and I spray it down heavily every morning before lights on.

This is the stuff - prorep coarse grade orchid chips
 

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