dry tortoise shell?

[Yingg]

Yeah they keep the ceramics at a safe temperature
If you type in reptile ceramic heat emitter, a bunch should come up, free feel to double check them here, I can’t say for certain on the wattage, sometimes people have to test different ones, most go with 100w

i found this one!! i'll look for the thermostat now. is there something i have to use to make the lamps turn on? a fixture or something? i'm pretty lost right now TwT

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

the kit (second image) is something i'm buying only for the fixture, since it's the only one i could find. (34 inch fixture). it comes with 5.0 UVB which i doubt i'll use, so i put two reptisun t5 10.0 34" in my cart to use instead. for the cococoir, that's the brand i usually use. i will have to check out garden supply for orchid bark ^^ is everything here alright?

I’ll have to have someone confirm that dome for you as I’ve never had to use them so hang fire, the basking bulbs look fine, if that fixture is the same length as the reptisun that should work fine, I believe you get just the one bulb but I could be wrong as there’s two pictured, but perhaps check the small print, either way just one t5 uv bulb is all you’ll need with the fitting
For the substrate I’m not 100% if it’s coir or if it has fibrous coconut strands in(which are an impaction risk) perhaps try this link below for the coir? I’m pretty sure you can get that brand in the US

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FW653X2/?tag=

Liner looks good

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

i found this one!! i'll look for the thermostat now. is there something i have to use to make the lamps turn on? a fixture or something? i'm pretty lost right now TwT

Yep they look fine, when looking at thermostats, make sure it’s an on/off one, not a dimming one. Also make sure the wattage is higher than the amount you’re putting in, so for example if you’re using 300w with of bulbs, you want a thermostat that has more than double that power, try find a 1000w one.

For your basking, ambient light(which will both be on the same timer) and uv, you’ll need two separate timers, plug in wall timers will do the trick.
As for the ceramic should you need one, no, just plug into the thermostat, set the temperature and put the probe into the coolest point of the enclosure and leave it running 24/7, the thermostat will turn it on/off for you as and when it’s needed

Obviously for all your bulbs you’ll need the dome fittings

 

[Yingg]

I’ll have to have someone confirm that dome for you as I’ve never had to use them so hang fire, the basking bulbs look fine, if that fixture is the same length as the reptisun that should work fine, I believe you get just the one bulb but I could be wrong as there’s two pictured, but perhaps check the small print, either way just one t5 uv bulb is all you’ll need with the fitting
For the substrate I’m not 100% if it’s coir or if it has fibrous coconut strands in(which are an impaction risk) perhaps try this link below for the coir? I’m pretty sure you can get that brand in the US

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FW653X2/?tag=

Liner looks good

oh okay! i think my substrate looks exactly the same as the one you linked, which is good. and yep, i'm going to buy two just in case ^^

 

[Yingg]

Yep they look fine, when looking at thermostats, make sure it’s an on/off one, not a dimming one. Also make sure the wattage is higher than the amount you’re putting in, so for example if you’re using 300w with of bulbs, you want a thermostat that has more than double that power, try find a 1000w one.

For your basking, ambient light(which will both be on the same timer) and uv, you’ll need two separate timers, plug in wall timers will do the trick.
As for the ceramic should you need one, no, just plug into the thermostat, set the temperature and put the probe into the coolest point of the enclosure and leave it running 24/7, the thermostat will turn it on/off for you as and when it’s needed

Obviously for all your bulbs you’ll need the dome fittings

i found this for the thermostat (it turns off and on) i like how it has two outlets ^^ for the dome fittings, can i use that fluker's one that i linked? is it the right type? i'm confused as to how all this is supposed to plug into the outlet haha. hopefully i'll figure it out soon. (and hopefully colleges will allow a 44x34 inch enclosure in the dorms...) i also already have two timers, or maybe three. i'll have to find the third one though.

 

[Chefdenoel10]

You are doing great hunny bunny!!
Keep up the great job!!!!
You keep asking as many questions as you want.
I am reading it all and I’m so happy for you and want you to get the best info here.
Welcome!!
Welcome!!
Welcome!!!!!!
Soon you will be one of us!

One of us….
One of us…
One of us….

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

i found this for the thermostat (it turns off and on) i like how it has two outlets ^^ for the dome fittings, can i use that fluker's one that i linked? is it the right type? i'm confused as to how all this is supposed to plug into the outlet haha. hopefully i'll figure it out soon. (and hopefully colleges will allow a 44x34 inch enclosure in the dorms...) i also already have two timers, or maybe three. i'll have to find the third one though.

I believe both the thermostat and dome you linked are fine, but just hang fire for someone like @Alex and the Redfoot or @Tom to confirm because they’re better at the technical side, our equipment differs cause of where we live, so I don’t want to accidentally give the go ahead on something that won’t work for you, I’m sure they’ll be about soon

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

1. Instead of Aicoo fixture and Reptisun bulbs you can order Arcadia lamp here: https://www.lightyourreptiles.com/arcadia-pro-t5-fixture-12-bulb-22-5-sale-now-only-69-99/

2. Dome is fine. 6 bucks for 8.5" version is good.

3. I haven't used this thermostat, so can't tell anything about its accuracy and reliability. "On paper" it's great.

 

[zovick]

i found this for the thermostat (it turns off and on) i like how it has two outlets ^^ for the dome fittings, can i use that fluker's one that i linked? is it the right type? i'm confused as to how all this is supposed to plug into the outlet haha. hopefully i'll figure it out soon. (and hopefully colleges will allow a 44x34 inch enclosure in the dorms...) i also already have two timers, or maybe three. i'll have to find the third one though.

Just FYI, unless things have changed, colleges frown upon animals in the dorms. I got booted out of my dormitory in dental school for having a Star Tortoise and a Corn Snake in my room.

You might need to get an apartment instead (assuming they let underclassmen live off campus).

 

[Yingg]

1. Instead of Aicoo fixture and Reptisun bulbs you can order Arcadia lamp here: https://www.lightyourreptiles.com/arcadia-pro-t5-fixture-12-bulb-22-5-sale-now-only-69-99/

2. Dome is fine. 6 bucks for 8.5" version is good.

3. I haven't used this thermostat, so can't tell anything about its accuracy and reliability. "On paper" it's great.

oh my gosh thank you i couldnt find arcadia anywhere!! i'll buy this one

 

[Yingg]

You are doing great hunny bunny!!
Keep up the great job!!!!
You keep asking as many questions as you want.
I am reading it all and I’m so happy for you and want you to get the best info here.
Welcome!!
Welcome!!
Welcome!!!!!!
Soon you will be one of us!

One of us….
One of us…
One of us….

i'm definitely wishing to be one of you in the future, when i'm more mature and older with a stable income, i'd love another tortoise. though i really hope my current baby will live as long as i do. (ill have to think about convincing my mom to let me grow food for her...) haha, i really love reptiles (specifially tortoises and snakes)!!

 

[Yingg]

Just FYI, unless things have changed, colleges frown upon animals in the dorms. I got booted out of my dormitory in dental school for having a Star Tortoise and a Corn Snake in my room.

You might need to get an apartment instead (assuming they let underclassmen live off campus).

oh i'm doomed then. i'm trying to find any workaround possible, maybe i'll have to befriend an upperclassman with an apartment and they can keep her for a year. there's also a chance my mom will have to take care of her, which is the more realistic choice but i don't want that. my mom will do enough just to keep her alive, rather than making an effort to walk and soak her every day. ill definitely find an arrangement somehow...

 

[COmtnLady]

You are doing great!

I've been reading through the more-than-100-posts-so-far and everything that's been suggested is solid good stuff to go with!

It is very good to be watchful and concerned when you find something different going on, and its scary when it has to do with something you love this much - but, Liver disease is a very harsh lethal problem. If she actually had such a problem it would show up with more symptoms. She would be slowing down and acting lethargic/sick. She wouldn't be interested in eating because food would be tough to digest, and her poop would look and smell significantly different. Take the absolute best care you can of her, but chill out on this particular possibility. She is active and eating, so there is a high probability that this is not what is going on with her.

Also, outside is good, but not in an unenclosed "not tortoise-proof" yard. She really needs an enclosed and secure space. No matter how diligent you are in watching, torts are little Houdinis and will disappear. Plus, there are lots of other creatures (like cats, dogs, raccoons, hawks, other birds that like to swoop in to grab a quick lunch, and so many more) that could do damage to your baby if they get the chance. Prevention is better than consequences.

Third, your mom doesn't seem to be as kind and interested your tortoise as you are. As much as it would hurt to do it, it might be better to "re-home" her with someone who loves tortoises. rather than leave her with your mom when you go to college.
Maybe there is a tortoise rescue nearby that could "board" her for you. Maybe there are other tortoise keepers around who might "babysit" her. See if any of our members near you could help you out if you cover her food and other costs.
You might check with the biology/herpetology department of whatever school you go to, maybe she and her habitat could be set up to teach others how to appropriately keep a tort so that it thrives - and she'd be with you, but in their building. (The drawback with this is that most of those places are still running on the old, less-than-best, info, so you may have to teach the teachers first...)

It is important to tell the Vet that you are a high school kid and not rich and famous. So many of them do unnecessary things (like want to sedate when it isn't necessary, or give "vitamin shots") just to bump up their own profit. This one with the turtle seems to fall into that category.

Drop your calcium back to once or so per week. Too much is as bad as not enough. Keep the cuttlebone in her habitat. If she ever does want it, it is available that way.

Check on eBay for equipment. Once you know for sure what you need (ask questions here, we won't steer you wrong), its sometimes possible to find better prices there. The bad part is that you need to read everything in their ad very closely to make sure it really is what you want.

Again, you are doing great. Keep up the good work and enjoy your wonderful tortoise!

.

 

[Yingg]

You are doing great!

I've been reading through the more-than-100-posts-so-far and everything that's been suggested is solid good stuff to go with!

It is very good to be watchful and concerned when you find something different going on, and its scary when it has to do with something you love this much - but, Liver disease is a very harsh lethal problem. If she actually had such a problem it would show up with more symptoms. She would be slowing down and acting lethargic/sick. She wouldn't be interested in eating because food would be tough to digest, and her poop would look and smell significantly different. Take the absolute best care you can of her, but chill out on this particular possibility. She is active and eating, so there is a high probability that this is not what is going on with her.

Also, outside is good, but not in an unenclosed "not tortoise-proof" yard. She really needs an enclosed and secure space. No matter how diligent you are in watching, torts are little Houdinis and will disappear. Plus, there are lots of other creatures (like cats, dogs, raccoons, hawks, other birds that like to swoop in to grab a quick lunch, and so many more) that could do damage to your baby if they get the chance. Prevention is better than consequences.

Third, your mom doesn't seem to be as kind and interested your tortoise as you are. As much as it would hurt to do it, it might be better to "re-home" her with someone who loves tortoises. rather than leave her with your mom when you go to college.
Maybe there is a tortoise rescue nearby that could "board" her for you. Maybe there are other tortoise keepers around who might "babysit" her. See if any of our members near you could help you out if you cover her food and other costs.
You might check with the biology/herpetology department of whatever school you go to, maybe she and her habitat could be set up to teach others how to appropriately keep a tort so that it thrives - and she'd be with you, but in their building. (The drawback with this is that most of those places are still running on the old, less-than-best, info, so you may have to teach the teachers first...)

It is important to tell the Vet that you are a high school kid and not rich and famous. So many of them do unnecessary things (like want to sedate when it isn't necessary, or give "vitamin shots") just to bump up their own profit. This one with the turtle seems to fall into that category.

Drop your calcium back to once or so per week. Too much is as bad as not enough. Keep the cuttlebone in her habitat. If she ever does want it, it is available that way.

Check on eBay for equipment. Once you know for sure what you need (ask questions here, we won't steer you wrong), its sometimes possible to find better prices there. The bad part is that you need to read everything in their ad very closely to make sure it really is what you want.

Again, you are doing great. Keep up the good work and enjoy your wonderful tortoise!

.

i've made sure the yard is veryyyy tortoise proof! after a few escape attempts (she has a tendency to dig under the fence) i've blocked everything off switch bricks and heavy rocks that she can't budge

ive actually thought of rehoming. though i feel it's obvious to me by now that i don't want that, since i've made this effort to give her better care and all. i think that if i really wanted to rehome her, she would have gotten the care she needed, and i would have done it before spending $200 on wood to make a tortoise table for now, she stays with me. i'm hoping to care for her as best i can. and thank you for saying she might not have liver failure! i'll definitely keep that in mind. i've actually lowered the calcium already (to avoid once or twice a week).

she seems very active as usual and her poops (not sure if this is normal though) range from dark green to near black and it holds its shape well. i think this is relatively normal (?)

as for college, we definitely are thinking along the same lines. i was considering that if the school i'm going to had some sort of exotic vet program, reptile, etc etc, i could "room" her there under the guise of "donating" to the school or something, then take her back after two years (?) since that's all im required to stay. i might contact the dean and say i will not step foot on their campus unless she comes along. or i might file paperwork for an emotional support animal. i've got a few backup plans, and my mom is the backup to the backup.

either way, i want to change how i care for her because i love her dearly. i know that rehoming her may be even better for her, but deep down i know i'm selfish for wanting to keep her. that's why i'm doing the best i can by letting her outside every day (tortoise proofed the fence) so she doesn't have to stay inside her small enclosure for too long. i hope that one day i will provide amazing care for her like everyone here does for their tortoise. if i need to rehome her, hopefully i find someone from here. though for now, for the sake of my heart and because i feel guilty for the past years, i will be trying my best to give her the best life i can (even if my best may not be as good as someone else's.) plus i'm pretty sure she recognizes me, since she comes to me every time it's time to walk. hopefully all this doesn't sound too unreasonable. i don't think i will be a bad tortoise owner in the future, just not the best.

PS i will definitely be checking those ebay/craigslist ads! and facebook marketplace if i dare step foot in there.

 

[Yingg]

I believe both the thermostat and dome you linked are fine, but just hang fire for someone like @Alex and the Redfoot or @Tom to confirm because they’re better at the technical side, our equipment differs cause of where we live, so I don’t want to accidentally give the go ahead on something that won’t work for you, I’m sure they’ll be about soon

hello again, i've come with updates. her shell seems a lot worse than before (?) the areas between her scutes are soft (not too soft, think soap bar consistency), some areas are dry and flaky, and come off when i touch them. is this normal? do tortoises have dry spells? i have been soaking her lots, and i use neosporin whenever i notice any suspicious areas. i added variation to her diet and i think she is learning to eat new foods. i also manage to let her outside for a few hours every day. i'm not sure why she seems to be getting worse? i will likely attach images once i get home.

 

[Chefdenoel10]

Need help!!
@Yvonne G
@Tom
@zovick
@ZEROPILOT

Please help this little tortoise !!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Yes images would be good! I’m sorry to hear this

 

[Yingg]

Yes images would be good! I’m sorry to hear this

@Chefdenoel10 i'm so lost right now, i want her to get better... i've ordered everything from amazon, and during the weekend i will set up her new enclosure. i've been very busy lately, so i haven't been actively hand feeding her. i know for sure she poops (it's a dark green color and holds its shape, though it isn't overly dry.) i put her in the bath this weekend (i kind of feel bad for not soaking her today) and she pooped 6 times she's very active still, she can probably claw me hard enough to break my skin though she hasn't really tried. she also dug under the fence and has a crazy appetite, though i've been feeding her a lot less lately to see if her weight drops. (it hasn't.) she was 600g in early july, now she is 580g. ...i think it's just water retention, like in humans. man i don't know, i'm so lost.

i can't drive (yet), and i've been so busy and i can't find time for her. i already bought all these supplies to make her a nice enclosure (still small, but bigger than her last one). if i were to rehome her (i really don't want to) i'd have to do something with all these supplies. it feels like a monetary waste, as harsh as it sounds... since money is something i take care of on my own. my job isn't very stable so sadly, money is a factor in her care.

okay onto the shell, if u look between the scutes, some of it is dark, almost like dried blood. (it isn't). some of it did come off, and it was pure white underneath. these areas between the scutes are softer, like a very hard bar of soap. you can make indents with your nails. the rest of her shell is hard. near the edges of her scutes, part of her shell can flake off, in small segments. underneath is whiter shell. i don't think it's fungus? fungus usually appears on plastron first right.... anyway, that aside, her shell is still rock hard aside from those areas. only those crevices between scutes.

 

[Yingg]

@Chefdenoel10 i'm so lost right now, i want her to get better... i've ordered everything from amazon, and during the weekend i will set up her new enclosure. i've been very busy lately, so i haven't been actively hand feeding her. i know for sure she poops (it's a dark green color and holds its shape, though it isn't overly dry.) i put her in the bath this weekend (i kind of feel bad for not soaking her today) and she pooped 6 times she's very active still, she can probably claw me hard enough to break my skin though she hasn't really tried. she also dug under the fence and has a crazy appetite, though i've been feeding her a lot less lately to see if her weight drops. (it hasn't.) she was 600g in early july, now she is 580g. ...i think it's just water retention, like in humans. man i don't know, i'm so lost.

i can't drive (yet), and i've been so busy and i can't find time for her. i already bought all these supplies to make her a nice enclosure (still small, but bigger than her last one). if i were to rehome her (i really don't want to) i'd have to do something with all these supplies. it feels like a monetary waste, as harsh as it sounds... since money is something i take care of on my own. my job isn't very stable so sadly, money is a factor in her care.

okay onto the shell, if u look between the scutes, some of it is dark, almost like dried blood. (it isn't). some of it did come off, and it was pure white underneath. these areas between the scutes are softer, like a very hard bar of soap. you can make indents with your nails. the rest of her shell is hard. near the edges of her scutes, part of her shell can flake off, in small segments. underneath is whiter shell. i don't think it's fungus? fungus usually appears on plastron first right.... anyway, that aside, her shell is still rock hard aside from those areas. only those crevices between scutes.

i also completely forgot to mention that she drags herself when she walks. i'm considering taping her for her outside walks until she develops muscles again to walk without drag.

 

[Yingg]

i also completely forgot to mention that she drags herself when she walks. i'm considering taping her for her outside walks until she develops muscles again to walk without drag.

i'm back again, does anyone here know tortoise babysitters in california, san jose? my parents want to go on vacation this summer and i've practically shut out the idea of vacation because i wanna stay and care for her. it's bad enough that im not at home bc of school ...