Hi everyone, I posted earlier on how my baby hermanns passed away. We decided to obtain another baby tortoise, but this time are doing things differently. I am paranoid, that I just want to do everything right.
Here is what I have so far...I am reading so much conflicting info on the Greeks and temperature settings, especially temps. at night and substrates. (we were going to get a russian, but they were unavailable).
I want to make sure everything is set up sufficiently for this type of tortoise (Baby (Ibera) Greek Tortoise) before she/he arrives tomorrow! We're excited!
Please offer suggestions/input. I'm open to any info you can kindly provide.
1. Large Plastic Bin 105 QT for now (we're getting rid of the vision cage) and I plan on upgrading to a larger enclosure eventually.
2. SUBSTRATE/HUMIDITY: Green carpet for bottom of enclosure with coconut fiber eco earth and forest floor cypress bedding mix 50/50.
I also bought 3 types of mosses to maintain some humidity in a hide box to see which one works best (nature zone, Exo Terra Forest Moss, frog moss) although I am reading that these 'lil guys do not require high humidity temps. Should I just place some of the moss in the hidebox only, or can some sections be scattered in the enclosure? Do their enclosures require spraying water to maintain humidty?
I also purchased an infrared thermometer gun as well as a humidity/temp combo for inside the enclosure.
3. Since the plastic container is larger (105 quart) I will be using lamp stand with Powersun UVA/UVB on one end. 100 watt. I imagine this should be enough to regulate the day and basking temp. as it gets pretty hot under these. Will this be sufficient alone during the day, with other end of enclosure having hide spot and no light?
4. At night, our room temp. drops to about 60-65. Should I leave a red mercury bulb on at night or will the room temp./no lights be safe enough for this baby tort? This is one of my main concerns. The 60s seem low, so I would like some clarification on this.
Thank you again. You all have been so helpful!
Cayla
Here is what I have so far...I am reading so much conflicting info on the Greeks and temperature settings, especially temps. at night and substrates. (we were going to get a russian, but they were unavailable).
I want to make sure everything is set up sufficiently for this type of tortoise (Baby (Ibera) Greek Tortoise) before she/he arrives tomorrow! We're excited!
Please offer suggestions/input. I'm open to any info you can kindly provide.
1. Large Plastic Bin 105 QT for now (we're getting rid of the vision cage) and I plan on upgrading to a larger enclosure eventually.
2. SUBSTRATE/HUMIDITY: Green carpet for bottom of enclosure with coconut fiber eco earth and forest floor cypress bedding mix 50/50.
I also bought 3 types of mosses to maintain some humidity in a hide box to see which one works best (nature zone, Exo Terra Forest Moss, frog moss) although I am reading that these 'lil guys do not require high humidity temps. Should I just place some of the moss in the hidebox only, or can some sections be scattered in the enclosure? Do their enclosures require spraying water to maintain humidty?
I also purchased an infrared thermometer gun as well as a humidity/temp combo for inside the enclosure.
3. Since the plastic container is larger (105 quart) I will be using lamp stand with Powersun UVA/UVB on one end. 100 watt. I imagine this should be enough to regulate the day and basking temp. as it gets pretty hot under these. Will this be sufficient alone during the day, with other end of enclosure having hide spot and no light?
4. At night, our room temp. drops to about 60-65. Should I leave a red mercury bulb on at night or will the room temp./no lights be safe enough for this baby tort? This is one of my main concerns. The 60s seem low, so I would like some clarification on this.
Thank you again. You all have been so helpful!
Cayla