Do Tortoises mind strong smells?

[Jackson7]

I recently got a cable cover to eliminate a trip hazard in my tortoise room, but it has a pretty strong rubber smell. I know reds foots have a good sense of smell so I'm wondering if that would stress them out. Does any one have experience or insights about tortoises and strong smells?

 

[Tom]

The smell will dissipate in a few days. Your tortoise is not likely to care.

A red foot should be in a closed chamber enclosure anyway which would limit the smell.

 

[Jackson7]

They are closed off, that's a good point, I guess I won't worry about it unless the smell doesn't dissipate. I also recently put some hanging pothos in their enclosure, the soil also smelled kind of strong but I figured they would like the smell of dirt.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

They are closed off, that's a good point, I guess I won't worry about it unless the smell doesn't dissipate. I also recently put some hanging pothos in their enclosure, the soil also smelled kind of strong but I figured they would like the smell of dirt.

Hi and welcome! I don’t suppose you’d mind a sharing a little bit more information? I only ask because you say ‘they’, how many are we talking? Are they housed in the same enclosure? A lot of people keep pairs which is a dangerous dynamic for tortoises, so always like to give a heads up if needed!

Is it soil in the enclosure? If you’re just using some organic soil for the plants that’s ok, just wouldn’t recommend it as substrate.

I’m always interested in hearing how people are keeping their red foot’s if your wouldn’t mind sharing more!
How old are they roughly do you know?
What are your temperatures like? overall day temps, night temps?
What lighting&heating are you using specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any!
Do you use indoor uv? If so what kind?
What level is your humidity currently? What do you use for substrate?

A photo of your full set up would be great if you’re willing to share! Along with one of your tort(s)

 

[Jackson7]

Oh yes, I do have 2 tortoises, but they are completely separated. I suppose they probably know the other exists, but they can't get to each other.

I use cypress mulch as a substrate. The soil is organic, and just for the plants. Its hanging high enough they can't get to it.

I'm happy to share. We got them at 4 inches maybe a year and a half ago. Last we measured they were both 6.6 inch (amazingly they were identical down to the mm and within 4g of each other).

I have a little ubibot sensor that measures temp and humidity. It nice because is continuously measure it and sends the data to my phone, so I can check how its been for the whole day. It was nice when I was first setting things up because could make changes and the effects in real time, even if I was asleep. They are in a 4 season room that has its own fireplace and AC, so I just keep the whole room between 82 and 88. It changes quite a bit through out the day, but always stays between those 2 points. I have a remote thermostat for the fireplace, and ubibot smart plug for the AC.

For humidity, I know from my smart sensor I've been keeping it at 80% average. Interestingly the temperature changes of 6F through out the day changes the relative humidity by 7-8%, so it hovers between 75% and 85%. I don't really need to do anything in the summer to keep it at 80%, maybe an occasional spray. Last winter they each had ultrasonic humidifier hooked up to a sensor to keep the humidity up, but it ended up dripping too much water in one spot, leading to some mold (and apparently the cool air it produces can be bad for their little respiratory systems). This winter, I've hook up a few spray nozzles and I'm going to seal everything up a little tighter. I think having the plants should help stabilize it too.

Yes, they each have a UV bulb right above there food area. Arcadia brand 24W 22" HO-T5 6% UV-B D3 Forest. If that's helpful for anyone. Oh and normal lighting is just the sun, there's windows on 3 sides so they get enough light. If they were in the basement I might try simulating light at a lower latitude but I don't think I can fight the sun. They definitely eat less once fall starts, but after a month or so they notice that the tempurtare didn't actually drop and go back to normal.

Berry was very hidden in one of hides but Cherry was visible.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Oh yes, I do have 2 tortoises, but they are completely separated. I suppose they probably know the other exists, but they can't get to each other.

I use cypress mulch as a substrate. The soil is organic, and just for the plants. Its hanging high enough they can't get to it.

I'm happy to share. We got them at 4 inches maybe a year and a half ago. Last we measured they were both 6.6 inch (amazingly they were identical down to the mm and within 4g of each other).

I have a little ubibot sensor that measures temp and humidity. It nice because is continuously measure it and sends the data to my phone, so I can check how its been for the whole day. It was nice when I was first setting things up because could make changes and the effects in real time, even if I was asleep. They are in a 4 season room that has its own fireplace and AC, so I just keep the whole room between 82 and 88. It changes quite a bit through out the day, but always stays between those 2 points. I have a remote thermostat for the fireplace, and ubibot smart plug for the AC.

For humidity, I know from my smart sensor I've been keeping it at 80% average. Interestingly the temperature changes of 6F through out the day changes the relative humidity by 7-8%, so it hovers between 75% and 85%. I don't really need to do anything in the summer to keep it at 80%, maybe an occasional spray. Last winter they each had ultrasonic humidifier hooked up to a sensor to keep the humidity up, but it ended up dripping too much water in one spot, leading to some mold (and apparently the cool air it produces can be bad for their little respiratory systems). This winter, I've hook up a few spray nozzles and I'm going to seal everything up a little tighter. I think having the plants should help stabilize it too.

Yes, they each have a UV bulb right above there food area. Arcadia brand 24W 22" HO-T5 6% UV-B D3 Forest. If that's helpful for anyone. Oh and normal lighting is just the sun, there's windows on 3 sides so they get enough light. If they were in the basement I might try simulating light at a lower latitude but I don't think I can fight the sun. They definitely eat less once fall starts, but after a month or so they notice that the tempurtare didn't actually drop and go back to normal.

Berry was very hidden in one of hides but Cherry was visible.

Aw yay thank you so much for sharing and adding photos! Everything sounds/looks brilliant which is a breath of fresh air with newer members! I think the only thing I’d make a suggestion on is not worrying about humidifiers, you’re right in that the water droplets in the air aren’t ideal for them, plus they can sometimes not let the top layer of your substrate dry which can lead to a fungal infection with red foots. Personally we focus on the bottom layer of substrate being nice and damp, in a good closed chamber that should keep your humidity where needed, a lukewarm water pour into the corners every 7-10 days should do the trick

 

[Jackson7]

Personally we focus on the bottom layer of substrate being nice and damp, in a good closed chamber that should keep your humidity where needed, a lukewarm water pour into the corners every 7-10 days should do the trick

Maybe you can answer this question then. Twords the end of last winter I stopped useing the humidifiers and switched to the dumping water in the corners. It didn't quite keep the humidity high enough, and I got some mold and a kind of smelly anaerobic layer in the substrate.

I have 6" of cypress mulch, is that too deep for the corner method?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Maybe you can answer this question then. Twords the end of last winter I stopped useing the humidifiers and switched to the dumping water in the corners. It didn't quite keep the humidity high enough, and I got some mold and a kind of smelly anaerobic layer in the substrate.

I have 6" of cypress mulch, is that too deep for the corner method?

We personally use a thick layer of orchid bark and haven’t had any mold issues luckily, but I make sure to give the substrate a good overturn every 3 weeks or so, which could hopefully help with this issue, were you giving all the substrate a good mix now n then? That helps boosting the humidity too

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Maybe you can answer this question then. Twords the end of last winter I stopped useing the humidifiers and switched to the dumping water in the corners. It didn't quite keep the humidity high enough, and I got some mold and a kind of smelly anaerobic layer in the substrate.

I have 6" of cypress mulch, is that too deep for the corner method?

Haven't seen issue like this with cypress mulch. Similar depth. I've added water maybe once in two weeks. Humidity was 80-90%. I did "turnovers" once in a month or so. Maybe it depends on how much water you add (I have never had standing water - everything was absorbed in mulch) and substrate temperature (if the enclosure stands right on the floor this can be the cause).

 

[Jackson7]

Follow up question, how often do you completely change out the substrate?

substrate temperature (if the enclosure stands right on the floor this can be the cause).

Do you mean the substrate being to cold could keep it from working well?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Follow up question, how often do you completely change out the substrate?


Do you mean the substrate being to cold could keep it from working well?

Usually, it's fine to have the same substrate for 1-2 years. But it depends on where tortoise poops (in soaking tub or in the enclosure), presence of cleanup crew (springtails, isopods) and etc. Cypress mulch is totally fine after 2 years, it's degrading a bit but still usable.

Too cold lower layer evaporates less water and more prone to mold, I think.

 

[Jackson7]

At somepoint I'm going to do a redesign/ expansion and I'll need to heat both turtle's separately. I'll probably use some CHE bulbs but has anyone experimented with heating from below,? It might solve that for me.

cleanup crew (springtails, isopods)

Is it worth it to get some isopds? Any trick to getting the right kind?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

At somepoint I'm going to do a redesign/ expansion and I'll need to heat both turtle's separately. I'll probably use some CHE bulbs but has anyone experimented with heating from below,? It might solve that for me.


Is it worth it to get some isopds? Any trick to getting the right kind?

Some keepers used to run heat ropes under the enclosure. https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/redfoot-care-sheet-via-northeast-north-america.172558/
Should be noted, that it's a supplemental, not the main heat source.
Tortoises expect stable moderate temperature in the ground. They burrow to escape from day heat and night cold. So powerful heat source from below can mess up with their instincts (they will burrow to cool down and get even warmer instead) - that's why heat mats are usually a no-go.
In your situation, laying insulation sheets under the enclosure or raising it off the floor can work better.
Isopods can be useful to gather some food and poop leftovers and to serve as calcium-rich snack for redfoots. They need a little additional care, though - hiding spots (like pebbles, bark pieces) and supplemental feeding (leaf litter). They are not an essential element in the enclosure but give some benefit. Springtails feed on mold, fungi and smaller pieces of decaying organics and, perhaps, are more important. For redfoots enclosures almost any common kind of isopods will work (e.g. "powder orange" or "powder blue" - easy keepers, hardy and prolific). "Dairy cow" isopods (Porcellio laevis) will do fine in a humid environment as well. If you prefer more "outgoing" species (who aren't scared of daylight) then you may want to get Armadillidium (e.g. Zebra Isopods). As a general rule you want only one isopods species in the enclosure (less chances of cannibalistic behaviour).

 

[Jackson7]

Thanks for all that! I got a decent picture of Berry today too.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thanks for all that! I got a decent picture of Berry today too.

Beautiful!