bad advice for Tony!

[Robbie Denby]

After reading multiple threads on this forum I chose to make a humid hide to go into Tonys vivarium, I work quite alot and on my days off and when I finish work I spray down his tank and bathe him most days, when I'm at work though I worry he isnt getting the moisture he needs.

I went to the local exotic pet store in the UK and asked about a humidity reader, I explained what I was doing and why, the assistant then went on to tell me it won't make a difference what the humidity is like it's more his food and I must bathe him once a week, she also told me to put calcium on every meal.. (my tort avoids added cal, already his spring greens and dandelions are high in cal anyway) she also told me not to use anything other than wood chclippings because sand will go in there eyes and irritate them.

Ignoring her advice I brought the humidity reader and made my own humid hide, was this a good move?,
Also anyone have any idea on what sort of humidity is need for a young sulcata?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Robbie:

It's good that you ignored the advice given in the pet store. If you've read the "important threads" at the top of the sulcata section, you know that baby sulcatas DO need a lot of humidity to grow smoothly.

 

[sibi]

Humidity should be around 80%. But, the heat should be no lower than 80 degrees on her cool side. Read Tom's threads. He explains everything.

 

[luvpetz27]

I really wish workers at pet stores
knew more information!! I guess that is
what TFO is for! I learned more here than at
ANY pet store! Thank goodness for this
forum!

 

[Robbie Denby]

Hi Robbie:

It's good that you ignored the advice given in the pet store. If you've read the "important threads" at the top of the sulcata section, you know that baby sulcatas DO need a lot of humidity to grow smoothly.

I only became aware of this a few months ago after reading from this site, unfortunately I listened to the store until I saw my tortiose becoming slow and dry with a slowly rising shell!, this is now reversing and we are slowly getting there

 

[erica anne]

Also, you do not want to give him to much calcium.

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome. Toms threads are below in my post. They are great for raising sulcatas. The calcium should only be given once a week. Coconut coir, cypress mulch or plain dirt is good for substrates. We don't like sand as it causes impactions. You can use sand if you mix it with one of the other substrates. Less sand to more of the other you choose. I would also soak in warm water every day, u less your tort is over a year old the you can do every other day or every three days. Once a week is more for older Sullies. Glad you didn't listen to the pet store. Don't worry about when you did listen to them. You aren't the only one that started out on bad advice. Many of us did. The important part now is that you found TFO and will learn all the great new correct ways to raise your little guy/gal.

 

[AZtortMom]

Welcome! I'm so glad you are here there is great advice here and the members are great! I have learned so much

 

[mainey34]

Your humidity in your hide can be 80% and up..as far as calcium goes, if you are feeding calcium enriched foods there isn't a need to over do it. 2 times a week at the most should be good if that....cypress mulch mixed with maybe some soil or other substrate will work well.