dry tortoise shell?

[Yvonne G]

i noticed that recently, these hairs/coconut husk fibers always come out when she soaks. i thinks she poops them out. is it concerning?

That's one of the reasons I don't like to use coconut fiber for substrate.

 

[Yingg]

That's one of the reasons I don't like to use coconut fiber for substrate.

i missed it with orchid bark too. is it a big issue?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Yes, she can be impacted by eating coconut fibers or hair. Good hydration, exercise and fiber-rich diet will help to mitigate it.

If you use coco husks - you'll need to replace it with orchid bark or plain coco coir. Also try to remove visible fibers from substrate.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

i missed it with orchid bark too. is it a big issue?

I’d maybe consider just sticking with orchid bark, the coir we’ve had before didn’t have fibres like that, or at least not many. If the one you get seems to have them, I’d switch it out for the bark

 

[Yingg]

no urates no poop

 

[Yingg]

Yes, she can be impacted by eating coconut fibers or hair. Good hydration, exercise and fiber-rich diet will help to mitigate it.

If you use coco husks - you'll need to replace it with orchid bark or plain coco coir. Also try to remove visible fibers from substrate.

i use coco coir!

 

[Yingg]

I’d maybe consider just sticking with orchid bark, the coir we’ve had before didn’t have fibres like that, or at least not many. If the one you get seems to have them, I’d switch it out for the bark

i'm worried that she will eat it to be honest i don't even know where the hairs/fibers are coming from??? i feed her in a bowl on the slate, and i always clear the area before i feed her.

 

[Yingg]

i use coco coir!

i would like to reuse my current orchid bark. do you have recommendations on how to keep it? since it's mixed in with coco coir. actually let me get a picture

 

[Yingg]

184g today

 

[Yingg]

i would like to reuse my current orchid bark. do you have recommendations on how to keep it? since it's mixed in with coco coir. actually let me get a picture

 

[Yingg]

food area. it's a bit dirty but once i clean it, the setup usually prevents hairs and stuff.

 

[Yingg]

while reading up on bark, i noticed that pine bark is no good for tortoises. i know mine is fir substrate, but i don't know what type of wood the enclosure is made out of. should i be worried?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

while reading up on bark, i noticed that pine bark is no good for tortoises. i know mine is fir substrate, but i don't know what type of wood the enclosure is made out of. should i be worried?

Is your enclosure lined? As in she doesn’t have direct contact with the wood? If not I’d get some cheap pond lining off Amazon or even a shower curtain

 

[Yingg]

Is your enclosure lined? As in she doesn’t have direct contact with the wood? If not I’d get some cheap pond lining off Amazon or even a shower curtain

the liner extends abt 1.5-2 inches above the substrate yes! it's a pond liner

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

the liner extends abt 1.5-2 inches above the substrate yes! it's a pond liner

I wouldn’t worry too much as it’s open topped, if the wood was harmful she’d have a reaction by now

 

[EppsDynasty]

I'm late to this but here's my 2 cents .....

Most dimensional lumber is Pine, but is not like the bark. Most lumber when bought is 'Kiln Dried' meaning it is dried by very hot air and pressure, getting rid of most of the oils. My whole life I've been told to stay away from Pine .... but almost EVERY enclosure is made from Pine. I have not seen/heard of any animal having a reaction to the wood of the enclosure build.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Yeah, my enclosure is open top and the walls are made out of pine wood, the first 20 cm or so of the wall is covered of with a shower curtain. Haven't noticed any issues with my Russian tortoise.

 

[Yingg]

I'm late to this but here's my 2 cents .....

Most dimensional lumber is Pine, but is not like the bark. Most lumber when bought is 'Kiln Dried' meaning it is dried by very hot air and pressure, getting rid of most of the oils. My whole life I've been told to stay away from Pine .... but almost EVERY enclosure is made from Pine. I have not seen/heard of any animal having a reaction to the wood of the enclosure build.

thank you! this makes me feel better

 

[Yingg]

no urates no poop

 

[Yingg]

yes poop actually. weight is 589g