How Often Does Your Tortoise..?

[Vegas_Leopard]

Sup, Tortoise Forum?

Id like to know how often does your tortoise go into/use its humid hide/moisture chamber? Am I expecting to much from my tortoise, to be using his humid hide/moisture chamber? And what would be a proper amount of humidity for a Sulcata?

Thanks in advance,
SulcataDud3

 

[Vegas_Leopard]

I just found out that 40%-60% is a proper amount. I'm still in anticipation of my Sulcata using its humid hide/moisture chamber.

 

[kevantheman35]

my sulcata only uses it to sleep at night

 

[Vegas_Leopard]

my sulcata only uses it to sleep at night

My Sulcata doesn't even use it to do that. I don't think its down with the humid hide/moisture chamber. What substrate do you use in your hide? I'm using Zoo Med's New Zealand Sphagnum Moss.

 

[siwash]

mine doesn't go in very often... from what i can see

guess he is gettin nuff moisture from other sources

 

[Vegas_Leopard]

My Sulcata likes to burrow itself in the Timothy Hay, other then going to its hide. I think it might have something to do with the substrate in the hide. Does anyone know where to get Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss, don't say Canada.

 

[Crazy1]

I have Greek hatchlings as you know I have Mosser Lee Sphagnum Moss in their humid area. If the moss is too wet they avoid it. when it drys out a bit they tend to burrow into it more. What is the humidity and temp inside your hide?

 

[Vegas_Leopard]

I have Greek hatchlings as you know I have Mosser Lee Sphagnum Moss in their humid area. If the moss is too wet they avoid it. when it drys out a bit they tend to burrow into it more. What is the humidity and temp inside your hide?

The moss is pretty dry, I sprayed it twice today because I thought it might be too dry. My Sulcata won't even go in there, I tried to encourage it by placing him inside. It roamed in the hide for a few seconds before it came right out. It would rather burrow itself in the Timothy Hay rather then going in there. The humidity is mostly on average around 80%-90% which seems way high. The temperature is around 80+ degrees. I message Richard Fife (Ivory Tortoise) as you may know & this is what he told me.

"Your set up looks great but it looks like you are using floral moss rather than peat moss. The floral moss is stringy and the peat moss is more like potting soil. I think they like the peat moss better. My tortoises use the hide box most of the time. The humidity should be 40 to 60 percent.

Richard"

I figured if he doesn't go in there that often or at all the high percentage of humidity won't hurt him. I'm always willing to lower it if my Sulcata would consider using it. To lower the humidity do you add more dryer content and remove some of the moisten content?

 

[Crazy1]

I would just let it dry out until the humidity level reachs the desired 40-60%. you could pull the hide off until it drys alittle if you want but just letting it get to the desired % may take a little time. Your Sully should be fine until then. Remember it is also just getting use to a whole new world now and it may take a little time for him to adjust and find what works for him/her.

 

[chelonologist]

All my tortoises (desert tortoises, leopard tortoise, western Hermann's tortoise, and marginated tortoises) spend most of their time in hides. They sleep in them at night, and spend probably 75-80% of the day inside the hides. They only come out to eat, and briefly to thermoregulate.

 

[Laura]

Mine sleep in them. They are heated so they need to.

 

[Vegas_Leopard]

All my tortoises (desert tortoises, leopard tortoise, western Hermann's tortoise, and marginated tortoises) spend most of their time in hides. They sleep in them at night, and spend probably 75-80% of the day inside the hides. They only come out to eat, and briefly to thermoregulate.

How are you able to get them to do this?

 

[aktech23]

move his humid hide to the spot it like to hang in now, try to trick it.

 

[Vegas_Leopard]

move his humid hide to the spot it like to hang in now, try to trick it.

That's a great idea, I'll give it a shot when I soak him. Thanks!

 

[Jacqui]

Is his hide the correct size for him? It seems some torts like their hides just big enough for them and will ignore larger/higher ceiling hides. Might try another size or type of hide.

My worst case of this is a Redfoot who months ago out grew her hide. Instead of using a larger one, she clears out the substrate and sorta tunnels under and into the old hide.

 

[Vegas_Leopard]

Is his hide the correct size for him? It seems some torts like their hides just big enough for them and will ignore larger/higher ceiling hides. Might try another size or type of hide.

My worst case of this is a Redfoot who months ago out grew her hide. Instead of using a larger one, she clears out the substrate and sorta tunnels under and into the old hide.

I'm starting to think that my humid hide/moisture chamber is to big for my Sulcata. I'm trying to figure out an alternative way of making a humid hide/moisture chamber. An idea I had was to ditch the whole entire hide & just go with Zoo Med's Eco Earth & New Zealand Sphagnum Moss substrate on the other half of the tub & just one of those hamster domes or make smaller humid hide/moisture chamber. As long as I find away that it can make use of it.

 

[Vegas_Leopard]

I'm going to try to replicate a Sulcata's burrow, as it's long & narrow. I'm really starting to think that the whole larger/higher ceilings is the reason why my Sulcata isn't using it.