Is there a common species of tortoise that when raising as a baby. Doesn't need a closed enclosure to hold humidity in?
Different species
- Thread starter Ray--Opo
- Start date
Since ALL tortoise species as babies, spend the majority of their time hiding, where it's more humid, I would guess the answer would be no, but let's ask @ZenHerper or @zovick
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ZenHerper
Well-Known Member
There is a wide continuum on Earth of Super-humid to Humid climates, but all youngsters hatch during humid/wet seasons. The fast-growing carapace and tortoise kidney have evolved in tandem with the earth's seasons and climes.
Smaller carapaces can get away with drier conditions, since they are growing/stretching in smaller increments. So I would lean toward Padloper, Pancake, Russian, Egyptian as moderately humid possibilities...even though hatchlings and other youngsters are still rarely found in nature because they are burrowed most of the time (= higher humidity).
But. While a Russian may require less humidity than, say, a more tropical Redfoot...we still are seeing a plethora of sort of bumpy CB Russian carapaces if the habitat is more dry than a rainy outdoor spring.
But that's the cosmetic side of the story. We're all becoming quite suspicious that pyramids are an external, visual sign that internal structure and health may also be less-than-optimal.
Hydration and renal function are not cosmetic...they are fundamentally necessary to health and longevity. With as much failure-to-thrive that we see in clutches raised dry, and the development of urate stones in young adults...renal development and metabolic strength have to be a more primary reason to construct humid habitats for growing hatchlings and youngsters.
The light bulb concept of keeping reptiles Humid is slow to spread (reptiles - go figure lol). Back in the 90s when I had young Ball pythons that blew horrible sheds, I started flooding their tanks when they were turning "blue". Presto! Beautiful sheds that came away in single pieces on every cycle. I started keeping the coir wet all the time. Presto! Much more active and alert animals that passed more minimally solid urates. Friends in the hobby were "secretly" doing the same thing. lol
There's still a lot to figure out, but the one thing that is certain: these species are incredibly old, and their DNA journey began at a time when the Earth was very wet, boggy, swampy, humid, steamy. All eggs still require certain humidity levels in order to support gestation. It's not a far stretch to imagine that all hatchlings still require certain humidity levels to continue their development.
Smaller carapaces can get away with drier conditions, since they are growing/stretching in smaller increments. So I would lean toward Padloper, Pancake, Russian, Egyptian as moderately humid possibilities...even though hatchlings and other youngsters are still rarely found in nature because they are burrowed most of the time (= higher humidity).
But. While a Russian may require less humidity than, say, a more tropical Redfoot...we still are seeing a plethora of sort of bumpy CB Russian carapaces if the habitat is more dry than a rainy outdoor spring.
But that's the cosmetic side of the story. We're all becoming quite suspicious that pyramids are an external, visual sign that internal structure and health may also be less-than-optimal.
Hydration and renal function are not cosmetic...they are fundamentally necessary to health and longevity. With as much failure-to-thrive that we see in clutches raised dry, and the development of urate stones in young adults...renal development and metabolic strength have to be a more primary reason to construct humid habitats for growing hatchlings and youngsters.
The light bulb concept of keeping reptiles Humid is slow to spread (reptiles - go figure lol). Back in the 90s when I had young Ball pythons that blew horrible sheds, I started flooding their tanks when they were turning "blue". Presto! Beautiful sheds that came away in single pieces on every cycle. I started keeping the coir wet all the time. Presto! Much more active and alert animals that passed more minimally solid urates. Friends in the hobby were "secretly" doing the same thing. lol
There's still a lot to figure out, but the one thing that is certain: these species are incredibly old, and their DNA journey began at a time when the Earth was very wet, boggy, swampy, humid, steamy. All eggs still require certain humidity levels in order to support gestation. It's not a far stretch to imagine that all hatchlings still require certain humidity levels to continue their development.
Thanks for the replies. I am trying to guide a newcomer. They live in a cold weather state and want a sulcata. With them being young adult just getting on in life,renting a home. I am trying to steer them away from a sulcata. With no building skills and minimum budget. Trying to find the right fit.
ZenHerper
Well-Known Member
Reptiles have not been in captivity for long at all, archaeologically or evolutionarily speaking. They need what they need. I don't expect them to have changed much in another 10,000 years, should we and the planet all still be here by then.
I guess I would liken the complication of a Sulcata in a cold climate to trying to keep an Irish Wolfhound or Great Pyrenees while renting a room in a boarding house. Every life and lifestyle has limitations.
All the best to your young friend!
I guess I would liken the complication of a Sulcata in a cold climate to trying to keep an Irish Wolfhound or Great Pyrenees while renting a room in a boarding house. Every life and lifestyle has limitations.
All the best to your young friend!
Hello Ray. Even though it's probably a lot of fun with a larger tortoise it also is with a Russian or Hermann's. All of the reasons you said are why I settled on my little Russian. Although I do have a bit of building skills it's a lot easier to keep a Russian in optimal conditions in a cold weather state. His temperature and humidity needs to be close to mine but I bought an adult. Also I like temperatures higher than most people. Even 80+f isn't uncomfortable for me if the humidity is 40-60%. So I pretty much figured we'd be a perfect fit for each other.?
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