new and need help with info please

LAwoman · Feb 17, 2019

Hi, I’m new to this too. I have a 7month old Leopard tortoise and he seems to be doing very well. I chose a shallow tote for his home. I cut the lids center out and sewed chicken wire in that hole. I do use clear plastic to cover it to keep the humidity level to about 60-70%. It is working great for me. I will send a photo to show you. He seems happy and eats a lot! He has gained weight and I soak him everyday in a plastic container with 1 1/2 cups of warm water for about 15 minutes. He poops every time.

LAwoman · Feb 17, 2019

Yvonne G said:
@LAwoman - I'd like to give you some advice on your enclosure, but this is Whatsthedifference's thread. Why don't you start a thread so we can help you make some changes. (it's very important for the health and well being of your tortoise)

LAwoman · Feb 17, 2019

I don’t know what a thread is but I am open to any advice I can get. Thank you!

LAwoman · Feb 17, 2019

Thank you very much. I think I will do half tap and half bottle water until it is gone.

Chasen · Feb 18, 2019

LAwoman said:
I don’t know what a thread is but I am open to any advice I can get. Thank you!

Go to the introductions section of this forum and create a new post. Provide info about your tort, what you feed and how you are housing them. Pics are most helpful. Then prepare yourself for the plethora of expert advice that will come your way. It'll change your torts life!

Yvonne G · Feb 22, 2019

@LAwoman - I see quite a few things that (if this were my enclosure and tortoise) I would change. Here's what I would change and why:

1. Don't use the clamp feature on clamp lights as we have read quite a few horror stories of the clamp failing, the lamp falling and either fire or smoldering starting. Either build or buy a hanger for the lights so they hang straight down.
2. Buy clamp lights with the 10 or 12" dome. This helps to send the heat down into the enclosure. The smaller dome, like yours, holds too much heat inside and sometimes causes the light to burn out prematurely
3. You've got the right idea using the plant saucer as a waterer, however, because tortoises have rigid bodies, they can't bend up and over to reach into that saucer like it is. See #4
4. Baby leopard tortoises hatch out during the monsoon season, and it's hot and humid. Using reptile carpet is not going to help add to the humidity you need for the baby to grow right. I like fine grade orchid bark for substrate, but you can use coco coir or cypress mulch instead. About three or four inches, moistened, will help keep the enclosure humid. Then you can sink the plant saucer down so the lip is even with the substrate and the baby has only to reach his head in to drink.
5. I get the impression you're trying to "keep it clean." There is no such thing with tortoises. They live in dirt, they poop and pee in dirt, and they get dirty. Daily soaking for about 15 minutes in warm water helps clean them off, and picking up waste daily helps keep the enclosure clean.
6. A screen cover helps to keep the tortoise in and the cat out, however it also allows the warm moist air to escape. A solid cover with holes cut out for the lights would be a better option.

Chasen · Feb 22, 2019

Yvonne G said:
@LAwoman - I see quite a few things that (if this were my enclosure and tortoise) I would change. Here's what I would change and why:

1. Don't use the clamp feature on clamp lights as we have read quite a few horror stories of the clamp failing, the lamp falling and either fire or smoldering starting. Either build or buy a hanger for the lights so they hang straight down.
2. Buy clamp lights with the 10 or 12" dome. This helps to send the heat down into the enclosure. The smaller dome, like yours, holds too much heat inside and sometimes causes the light to burn out prematurely
3. You've got the right idea using the plant saucer as a waterer, however, because tortoises have rigid bodies, they can't bend up and over to reach into that saucer like it is. See #4
4. Baby leopard tortoises hatch out during the monsoon season, and it's hot and humid. Using reptile carpet is not going to help add to the humidity you need for the baby to grow right. I like fine grade orchid bark for substrate, but you can use coco coir or cypress mulch instead. About three or four inches, moistened, will help keep the enclosure humid. Then you can sink the plant saucer down so the lip is even with the substrate and the baby has only to reach his head in to drink.
5. I get the impression you're trying to "keep it clean." There is no such thing with tortoises. They live in dirt, they poop and pee in dirt, and they get dirty. Daily soaking for about 15 minutes in warm water helps clean them off, and picking up waste daily helps keep the enclosure clean.
6. A screen cover helps to keep the tortoise in and the cat out, however it also allows the warm moist air to escape. A solid cover with holes cut out for the lights would be a better option.

I usually get a poop in the soak which makes cleanup sooo easy. Collect that all week and I've got great fertilized water for the plants.

new and need help with info please

LAwoman

New Member

LAwoman

New Member

LAwoman

New Member

LAwoman

New Member

Chasen

Well-Known Member

Yvonne G

Old Timer

Chasen

Well-Known Member

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