CanadaTorter
New Member
Hello and good afternoon!
I am happy to now be a part of this community. I am about to become the very fortunate owner a 3-month old Testudo Kleinmanni. I have spent the last couple of months absorbing as much information about these little critters as I can, but I have a few questions that I would like addressed specifically. I have also read through the forum's FAQs. Firstly, I have questions regarding plants. I have taken the advice in other threads and ventured over to TTT, but I am still missing information on a few species that I have purchased for the enclosure. I intend on planting a few grass varieties for aesthetics, humidity, and dietary supplementation. I am hoping that some of you will have personal experience with these. I am mostly looking to ascertain whether or not these can be safely ingested, and if so, whether or not their nutritional benefit makes them advantageous/detrimental.
The species in question are as follows:
Grasses
'Little Bunny' Miniature fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)
'Blue Dart Rush' (Juncus tenuis ‘Blue Dart’)
Non-grasses:
Aloe Vera
Echeveria
Sedum Succulents
Phlox Subulata 'blue emerald'
If there are other additions to the enclosure that any of you can think of, I would be interested in hearing your perspective(s). Furthermore, does including any of the aforementioned plants in an enclosure introduce detrimental dietary potential? For example; do some of those plants contain elevated levels of oxalic acids or protein? I do not want to interfere with their curated diet by having them "fill up on bread", either. I am aware that excessive succulent consumption may lead to loose stools.
I have read on this forum that crushed oyster shell is the optimum substrate for this species. However, I do not believe that this will facilitate plant growth, so I have arrived at something of a compromise. I am intending on mixing a loam/peat moss mixture with some plain 'ol sand. I am thinking 60% sand, 40% loam/peat moss. I am then going to layer an inch and a quarter or so of oyster shell on top. This way, I feel that the plants can have a better growing medium, and the Tort can have the substrate that is seemingly best for it. Please, let me know if there are any pitfalls or just poor husbandry involved with this approach. I will be introducing a cleanup crew of isopods and arid springtails to the moist undersides of the grasses and within the overturned terracotta pots. I know that these will not entirely remove the need for spot cleaning, but I am hoping that their waste will benefit the substrate and that they themselves will facilitate the removal of dead and decaying organic matter.
I will be providing a slate slab for the Tort to eat off of to avoid the accidental ingestion of any substrate. I understand that oyster shell is pure calcium, and that their native environments are full of things that a tort might accidentally ingest, but I feel less anxious this way. I will also provide a terracotta saucer from which it may bathe or drink. Now, as far as the basking spot is concerned, I have read many conflicting opinions. I have seen temperatures between 95F-110F. This does not concern me as I am intending on providing a temperature/humidity gradient, but is it okay to to provide a slate slab or similar rock in the meat of the heat? I know that electric heat rocks are not recommended for most, if any, reptiles as they can result in burns, so I would like to ensure that the slate will not heat up excessively and injure its underside. Are there specific values I should be attempting to hit in regards to humidity? I was thinking that an ambient 35% would suffice, with the base of the grasses being upwards of 70%, and inside the terracotta it would be 50-55%, initially, and lessen throughout the day. I will be taking the tortoise out every morning and soaking it in lukewarm water. I do not know if there is an ideal temperature or duration for this. 75-80F, and for about 20 minutes? I would appreciate guidance here.
Are there any "must haves" as far as diet is concerned? I see dandelion, clover, mustard greens, hibiscus leaves/flowers, and grasses/hays...I feel as though there are other staples? I know to avoid spinach, parsley, and chives due to their oxalic acid content, but I want to ensure that I absolutely nail their diet. Would it be fine if I purchased hay that has been packaged for small animal use? I have access to Timothy, Alfalfa, and some other varieties that I can't currently recall. I understand that the goal is high fiber, low protein, and high calcium. I would really appreciate advice and anecdotes here. I have read the supplementation guide on TTT and understand the general gist...but I am interested in hearing about the calcium/vitamin dusting regimen that others have established. Also, does the community include a cuttlebone in their Egyptian's enclosures?
Finally, my remaining concern is the enclosure itself. I intend on housing it in a glass 36X24X26 front-opening enclosure. This would suffice for it during its juvenile years, but I am concerned about the make of the tank itself. Many people believe that tortoises cannot perceive glass. I have read the FAQs of this forum, and my understanding is that the consensus here is that this belief is more myth than fact. I, however, have never kept a tortoise, and therefore cannot proceed with full confidence. I do have some strategies for making the sides opaque if this does turn out to be the case with my animal. I will be providing UVB by way of a 160W Fluker's mercury vapor bulb. I have a CHE for the other side should I need help in establishing a further temperature gradient. I have a Sunblaster LED that spans the width of the enclosure, also.
I feel as though I have summarized my care and concerns as well as I can. I appreciate any answers, critiques, or suggestions. My intention is to provide the best care possible, and I will be posting photographs of the enclosure and Tort as soon as I am able. Thank you, all.
Caleb
I am happy to now be a part of this community. I am about to become the very fortunate owner a 3-month old Testudo Kleinmanni. I have spent the last couple of months absorbing as much information about these little critters as I can, but I have a few questions that I would like addressed specifically. I have also read through the forum's FAQs. Firstly, I have questions regarding plants. I have taken the advice in other threads and ventured over to TTT, but I am still missing information on a few species that I have purchased for the enclosure. I intend on planting a few grass varieties for aesthetics, humidity, and dietary supplementation. I am hoping that some of you will have personal experience with these. I am mostly looking to ascertain whether or not these can be safely ingested, and if so, whether or not their nutritional benefit makes them advantageous/detrimental.
The species in question are as follows:
Grasses
'Little Bunny' Miniature fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides)
'Blue Dart Rush' (Juncus tenuis ‘Blue Dart’)
Non-grasses:
Aloe Vera
Echeveria
Sedum Succulents
Phlox Subulata 'blue emerald'
If there are other additions to the enclosure that any of you can think of, I would be interested in hearing your perspective(s). Furthermore, does including any of the aforementioned plants in an enclosure introduce detrimental dietary potential? For example; do some of those plants contain elevated levels of oxalic acids or protein? I do not want to interfere with their curated diet by having them "fill up on bread", either. I am aware that excessive succulent consumption may lead to loose stools.
I have read on this forum that crushed oyster shell is the optimum substrate for this species. However, I do not believe that this will facilitate plant growth, so I have arrived at something of a compromise. I am intending on mixing a loam/peat moss mixture with some plain 'ol sand. I am thinking 60% sand, 40% loam/peat moss. I am then going to layer an inch and a quarter or so of oyster shell on top. This way, I feel that the plants can have a better growing medium, and the Tort can have the substrate that is seemingly best for it. Please, let me know if there are any pitfalls or just poor husbandry involved with this approach. I will be introducing a cleanup crew of isopods and arid springtails to the moist undersides of the grasses and within the overturned terracotta pots. I know that these will not entirely remove the need for spot cleaning, but I am hoping that their waste will benefit the substrate and that they themselves will facilitate the removal of dead and decaying organic matter.
I will be providing a slate slab for the Tort to eat off of to avoid the accidental ingestion of any substrate. I understand that oyster shell is pure calcium, and that their native environments are full of things that a tort might accidentally ingest, but I feel less anxious this way. I will also provide a terracotta saucer from which it may bathe or drink. Now, as far as the basking spot is concerned, I have read many conflicting opinions. I have seen temperatures between 95F-110F. This does not concern me as I am intending on providing a temperature/humidity gradient, but is it okay to to provide a slate slab or similar rock in the meat of the heat? I know that electric heat rocks are not recommended for most, if any, reptiles as they can result in burns, so I would like to ensure that the slate will not heat up excessively and injure its underside. Are there specific values I should be attempting to hit in regards to humidity? I was thinking that an ambient 35% would suffice, with the base of the grasses being upwards of 70%, and inside the terracotta it would be 50-55%, initially, and lessen throughout the day. I will be taking the tortoise out every morning and soaking it in lukewarm water. I do not know if there is an ideal temperature or duration for this. 75-80F, and for about 20 minutes? I would appreciate guidance here.
Are there any "must haves" as far as diet is concerned? I see dandelion, clover, mustard greens, hibiscus leaves/flowers, and grasses/hays...I feel as though there are other staples? I know to avoid spinach, parsley, and chives due to their oxalic acid content, but I want to ensure that I absolutely nail their diet. Would it be fine if I purchased hay that has been packaged for small animal use? I have access to Timothy, Alfalfa, and some other varieties that I can't currently recall. I understand that the goal is high fiber, low protein, and high calcium. I would really appreciate advice and anecdotes here. I have read the supplementation guide on TTT and understand the general gist...but I am interested in hearing about the calcium/vitamin dusting regimen that others have established. Also, does the community include a cuttlebone in their Egyptian's enclosures?
Finally, my remaining concern is the enclosure itself. I intend on housing it in a glass 36X24X26 front-opening enclosure. This would suffice for it during its juvenile years, but I am concerned about the make of the tank itself. Many people believe that tortoises cannot perceive glass. I have read the FAQs of this forum, and my understanding is that the consensus here is that this belief is more myth than fact. I, however, have never kept a tortoise, and therefore cannot proceed with full confidence. I do have some strategies for making the sides opaque if this does turn out to be the case with my animal. I will be providing UVB by way of a 160W Fluker's mercury vapor bulb. I have a CHE for the other side should I need help in establishing a further temperature gradient. I have a Sunblaster LED that spans the width of the enclosure, also.
I feel as though I have summarized my care and concerns as well as I can. I appreciate any answers, critiques, or suggestions. My intention is to provide the best care possible, and I will be posting photographs of the enclosure and Tort as soon as I am able. Thank you, all.
Caleb