- Joined
- Jan 10, 2012
- Messages
- 11
Hi all,
Haven't needed to post a thing in our first 2 weeks of having Sonny because the sweet little guy (until we find out otherwise) is doing everything by the book! He eats, drinks, poops, sleeps, etc. as if he's been reading instructions on this forum. We were so nervous about doing everything right but it looks like we worried too much! He's not the least bit shy, lets us scratch his head, and seems to be responding to Grace's voice (I know it's just the food, but cute nonetheless!) I can't believe how attached we all are! Grace turned around in her bed so she could sleep with her head next to his house. She attached a small book light to the lid so if she wakes up in the night she can check on him. I have rigged the MVB timer so it serves as her alarm clock. It shines right in her face. I would hate that but she is so excited to see him crawl out of his burrow and say good morning that she hops right out of bed! It's awesome! Before I bore you with further details of our smitten-ness, I do have questions.
I am attaching photos, but for clarity, Sonny's bin is about 36" long and 16" wide. I know this is not big enough for very long--we are planning a table--but its working for now. We wanted to gain some real-life experience before we construct the ultimate tortoise palace!
I think we have the temperatures about right. The attached picture shows the day-time temps. Humidity is staying around 65-70% throughout but is up to 80% in the hides. The bedding is moist bed-a-beast with dry cypress on top. At night, the cool side stays around 70º and the warm side around 80º. We use a CHE as needed on cool nights. We have a red night light but haven't needed it. So here is my question: why doesn't he ever go to the cool side? He passes through while walking his daily laps, and sometimes after eating breakfast in "The Valley" he leaves by way of the cool side, stops by "The Pond" and then he heads right back up to "Sunny Hill". He spends much of the day in the striped pot and then burrows under the cypress at the back corner of Sunny Hill at night. I guess if that's the way he wants it, I'll deal with it, but there's so much talk about needing more space and the little turkey is only using half of his well planned home! I just want to make sure my temperatures are okay. I was wondering if he would like it better if the whole thing was warmer. (Yes, we have named the geographical regions in his enclosure, and yes, I photoshopped temperature labels onto the picture, and yes, I know I might be approaching the edge of sanity.)
Any input on Sonny's enclosure is appreciated. The lid is cat-safe, and we keep about half of it covered with plexi-glass to keep the humidity up. He seems pretty happy but I just want to make sure!
Question #2 (and I promise it will be shorter) I am unsure on food amounts. We are feeding a variety of greens...spring mix, dandelion, mustard greens, romaine...with a couple pieces of Mazuri every morning. I don't know how to quantify it except to say he gets a pile a little bigger than he is. He eats a fair amount in the morning and then returns to munch throughout the day. We take out leftovers at night. I figure since they are grazers, he should have something in there at all times. He is 12 weeks old today. 45g when we got him 2 weeks ago and 55g now. Are we okay in this area?
I might win a prize for the longest post! So sorry, but the questions formulate in my head until I get a chance to sit down at the computer!
Thanks for your help!
Haven't needed to post a thing in our first 2 weeks of having Sonny because the sweet little guy (until we find out otherwise) is doing everything by the book! He eats, drinks, poops, sleeps, etc. as if he's been reading instructions on this forum. We were so nervous about doing everything right but it looks like we worried too much! He's not the least bit shy, lets us scratch his head, and seems to be responding to Grace's voice (I know it's just the food, but cute nonetheless!) I can't believe how attached we all are! Grace turned around in her bed so she could sleep with her head next to his house. She attached a small book light to the lid so if she wakes up in the night she can check on him. I have rigged the MVB timer so it serves as her alarm clock. It shines right in her face. I would hate that but she is so excited to see him crawl out of his burrow and say good morning that she hops right out of bed! It's awesome! Before I bore you with further details of our smitten-ness, I do have questions.
I am attaching photos, but for clarity, Sonny's bin is about 36" long and 16" wide. I know this is not big enough for very long--we are planning a table--but its working for now. We wanted to gain some real-life experience before we construct the ultimate tortoise palace!
I think we have the temperatures about right. The attached picture shows the day-time temps. Humidity is staying around 65-70% throughout but is up to 80% in the hides. The bedding is moist bed-a-beast with dry cypress on top. At night, the cool side stays around 70º and the warm side around 80º. We use a CHE as needed on cool nights. We have a red night light but haven't needed it. So here is my question: why doesn't he ever go to the cool side? He passes through while walking his daily laps, and sometimes after eating breakfast in "The Valley" he leaves by way of the cool side, stops by "The Pond" and then he heads right back up to "Sunny Hill". He spends much of the day in the striped pot and then burrows under the cypress at the back corner of Sunny Hill at night. I guess if that's the way he wants it, I'll deal with it, but there's so much talk about needing more space and the little turkey is only using half of his well planned home! I just want to make sure my temperatures are okay. I was wondering if he would like it better if the whole thing was warmer. (Yes, we have named the geographical regions in his enclosure, and yes, I photoshopped temperature labels onto the picture, and yes, I know I might be approaching the edge of sanity.)
Any input on Sonny's enclosure is appreciated. The lid is cat-safe, and we keep about half of it covered with plexi-glass to keep the humidity up. He seems pretty happy but I just want to make sure!
Question #2 (and I promise it will be shorter) I am unsure on food amounts. We are feeding a variety of greens...spring mix, dandelion, mustard greens, romaine...with a couple pieces of Mazuri every morning. I don't know how to quantify it except to say he gets a pile a little bigger than he is. He eats a fair amount in the morning and then returns to munch throughout the day. We take out leftovers at night. I figure since they are grazers, he should have something in there at all times. He is 12 weeks old today. 45g when we got him 2 weeks ago and 55g now. Are we okay in this area?
I might win a prize for the longest post! So sorry, but the questions formulate in my head until I get a chance to sit down at the computer!
Thanks for your help!
