Basic questions from a beginner owner

[Eduardo Gonzalez]

Hi everyone I'm writing from Las Vegas NV we got a Leopard tortoise a few weeks ago and I'm still wondering if I'm keeping her the right way. I don't really know how to keep the humidity every day in the morning we use a spray bottle to spray the whole enclosure even inside her hiding spot. But the humidity drops after a few hours. I use a powe sun 100W, in the reptile store they told me this would be enough to provide heat source as well. Im not sure about it and in the room I have the little one I have a electric heater to keep the room always not below 80f I use the coconut soil and wood chips mixed for the surface. Also I don't know where would be a good spot for the power sun light. I currently have it by her lodge. But I noticed my tortoise only stay in the right side of the terrarium (where the light is at) a few times I have seen her in her water or in the other side of the enclosure I don't know if is normal.

 

[JoesMum]

Hello and welcome

To raise humidity you need an earthy substrate like fine grade or hid bark or coco coir. You have to tip water into the substrate and mix it thoroughly with your hands so all the substrate is evenly damp. This will raise humidity with the heat of the lights.

You also need to almost fully enclose the roof. Use tinfoil perhaps so there's just a gap that's only just bigger than the lamp holder.

You also need to take care that temperatures don't drop overnight. To do this you need a Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE) used with a thermostat. This can be on 24/7 as the thermostat means it only cuts in when needed

I recommend that you read these threads by one of TFO's species experts who is working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

How to raise a healthy Leopard Tortoise
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

 

[Eduardo Gonzalez]

Hello and welcome

To raise humidity you need an earthy substrate like fine grade or hid bark or coco coir. You have to tip water into the substrate and mix it thoroughly with your hands so all the substrate is evenly damp. This will raise humidity with the heat of the lights.

You also need to almost fully enclose the roof. Use tinfoil perhaps so there's just a gap that's only just bigger than the lamp holder.

You also need to take care that temperatures don't drop overnight. To do this you need a Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE) used with a thermostat. This can be on 24/7 as the thermostat means it only cuts in when needed

I recommend that you read these threads by one of TFO's species experts who is working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

How to raise a healthy Leopard Tortoise
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

Thank you for your help. I use the coco coir as you suggest and I did all the soaking and everything you suggest just the humidity goes away fast. How often should I change the substrate? Do you have any suggestions to where to place the ceramic heat and the power sun bulb? Thank you

 

[JoesMum]

Half the enclosure is open. That mesh stops UVB light from getting to your tortoise and lets all the moisture out.

You will not keep the humidity up until you close in the top - a full roof or as near as you can get with leaving a hole for the lamps.

You need to remove the mesh and use something like tinfoil or plexiglass to cover your enclosure.

The CHE and the MVB need to hang vertically above the enclosure, you have gaps just big enough around them so they don't touch the cover

 

[Eduardo Gonzalez]

Hello and welcome

To raise humidity you need an earthy substrate like fine grade or hid bark or coco coir. You have to tip water into the substrate and mix it thoroughly with your hands so all the substrate is evenly damp. This will raise humidity with the heat of the lights.

You also need to almost fully enclose the roof. Use tinfoil perhaps so there's just a gap that's only just bigger than the lamp holder.

You also need to take care that temperatures don't drop overnight. To do this you need a Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE) used with a thermostat. This can be on 24/7 as the thermostat means it only cuts in when needed

I recommend that you read these threads by one of TFO's species experts who is working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

How to raise a healthy Leopard Tortoise
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/

Sorry quick question does the tortoise needs some kind of air acces in the enclosure? I'm kind worried to just cover everything but the light parts.

Thank you !

 

[JoesMum]

You will not a create a completely sealed enclosure. The gaps round the lights are plenty for air