madbad
Active Member
Ok so full disclosure: I only got into the game a month ago when a tort was dumped on me.
The problems I can see:
Enclosure: The older tort is in an enclosure that is far too small even for short term cold weather use. The good news here is that fabricating a proper (though not necessarily pretty) enclosure is possible with out much mechanical or technical know how and at a low cost like, tip a big bookcase on its back and cover it and the lights with a shower curtain or something, I don't know. The hatchling also needs a large closed enclosure as moist as possible ASAP to prevent the same disfigurement as the 6yo. Don't use dirt as a substrate for these enclosure as that would be desiccating, try orchid bark, coco coir, or fine milled cyprus, or even a potting mixture that doesn't have fertilizer (in order of preference.)
Diet: Lettuce is a no no with essentially 0 nutrition which might explain your tort's small size for 6 years (though some torts are just small.) Check the diet info linked.
Hydration: Daily 30-45 minute soaks for both torts. No negotiation here. Be sure to set timers so you don't forget them, and keep that water warm! if you can put your hand in it with out pain it's not going to be dangerous to the tort. This wont replace the need for enclosed chambers or the need to regularly mist the younger one.
Heat: This is major too. your tort cant digest food without heat. So not enough heat= slow starvation. 80F-90F ambient temperatures. a basking spot and a place to hide are all important parts of the tortoise method of regulating its own temperature. and note that 80F is the MINIMUM temp your tort should be forced to tolerate especially at the hatchling stage.
The problems I can see:
Enclosure: The older tort is in an enclosure that is far too small even for short term cold weather use. The good news here is that fabricating a proper (though not necessarily pretty) enclosure is possible with out much mechanical or technical know how and at a low cost like, tip a big bookcase on its back and cover it and the lights with a shower curtain or something, I don't know. The hatchling also needs a large closed enclosure as moist as possible ASAP to prevent the same disfigurement as the 6yo. Don't use dirt as a substrate for these enclosure as that would be desiccating, try orchid bark, coco coir, or fine milled cyprus, or even a potting mixture that doesn't have fertilizer (in order of preference.)
Diet: Lettuce is a no no with essentially 0 nutrition which might explain your tort's small size for 6 years (though some torts are just small.) Check the diet info linked.
Hydration: Daily 30-45 minute soaks for both torts. No negotiation here. Be sure to set timers so you don't forget them, and keep that water warm! if you can put your hand in it with out pain it's not going to be dangerous to the tort. This wont replace the need for enclosed chambers or the need to regularly mist the younger one.
Heat: This is major too. your tort cant digest food without heat. So not enough heat= slow starvation. 80F-90F ambient temperatures. a basking spot and a place to hide are all important parts of the tortoise method of regulating its own temperature. and note that 80F is the MINIMUM temp your tort should be forced to tolerate especially at the hatchling stage.
