Enclosure Airflow

[Javan909]

Good evening! I will be getting a 6 month old Eastern Hermann’s Tortoise this weekend. It is the first tortoise I’ve owned, so I’m still figuring out how to do this properly. I have attached a photo of the enclosure below. It is a large plastic tub with a plastic lid. I am worried that because there isn’t an opening, besides the hole for the heat/uvb light, there won’t be air flowing properly. Will drilling holes in the container majorly lower the humidity? How many would be enough.

 

[wellington]

The times you open it too feed, water, check on him and the holes for the lights will be enough
However, you should line the light holes with tin foil to prevent melting and also try covering as much of the holes as possible so heat and humidity do not filter out of them.

 

[COmtnLady]

Do you have a terracotta saucer for water ( second for food would be good if you don't have something else with texture that provides traction) and a "hide" (a flowerpot that is wider than than the tortoise, and buried into the substrate a couple inches is a good choice) that you plan to put into the enclosure? Don't get suckered into getting any dishes from pet shops, they are too slick for your youngster to get into and out of.

Have you had a chance to read this yet? There is a lot in it, but it will give you good info and you can refer back to it easily. ~

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Javan909]

The times you open it too feed, water, check on him and the holes for the lights will be enough
However, you should line the light holes with tin foil to prevent melting and also try covering as much of the holes as possible so heat and humidity do not filter out of them.

Okay, thank you for the help!

 

[Javan909]

Do you have a terracotta saucer for water ( second for food would be good if you don't have something else with texture that provides traction) and a "hide" (a flowerpot that is wider than than the tortoise, and buried into the substrate a couple inches is a good choice) that you plan to put into the enclosure? Don't get suckered into getting any dishes from pet shops, they are too slick for your youngster to get into and out of.

Have you had a chance to read this yet? There is a lot in it, but it will give you good info and you can refer back to it easily. ~

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

Hello! Yes, I have two small terracotta dishes, two hides, and a piece of slate rock for under the basking light. And a pile of spagnum moss. I just haven’t added those in yet as I am still testing to make sure the heat and humidity are correct before I get the tortoise

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I can’t help but notice it’s a compact uvb bulb you have? They aren’t the safest or most efficient choice unfortunately, especially if it’s a coil type?

You might hopefully find this thread handy to go over, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

This thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber like you have for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out! If ever going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But the current idea you have is good too! Perhaps the greenhouse idea will come in handy for an upgrade down the line, but hopefully the other info comes in useful in regards to equipment etc!

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

**edit, I can see I linked these in your previous post? Let me know if you have any questions on them!**

All the best on this new and exciting journey! Welcome to the forum

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello! Yes, I have two small terracotta dishes, two hides, and a piece of slate rock for under the basking light. And a pile of spagnum moss. I just haven’t added those in yet as I am still testing to make sure the heat and humidity are correct before I get the tortoise

Don’t use the sphagnum moss! It’s an impaction risk unfortunately(covered in the common keeping error thread, it’s really good to keep familiarising with). What other substrate did you go for?

 

[Javan909]

Don’t use the sphagnum moss! It’s an impaction risk unfortunately(covered in the common keeping error thread, it’s really good to keep familiarising with). What other substrate did you go for?

Oh really? Good to know, thanks! The substrate is a mix of coconut fibre and orchid bark.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Oh really? Good to know, thanks! The substrate is a mix of coconut fibre and orchid bark.

No problem! Sounds good!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Welcome to the forum!