Humid or Not Humid????

[Marty333]

I am confused when I got my little Chevy I also bought a book written by a Sulcata Breeder on how to care for them.
Here is a link to the book
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0976733420/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

It says to keep it dry and arid because they are from an arid habitat. It also says I only should soak him once a week and to not have a water bowl in his habitat. Also they say to keep it dry and not humid. I trust you guys so what should I do?????

 

[DeanS]

Read the book once. Look at the pictures. Then put it on the shelf FOREVER!

 

[Marty333]

Huh?!

 

[Tom]

This is how it used to be done. We know better now. I have that same book and Russ Gurley is a very experienced guy, but for the last 25 years or so, we've all be doing it WRONG. We know better now. Dry and arid is great for adults. Warm and wet is what hatchlings and babies need. In the wild the babies stay hidden in damp dark places to avoid predators. Underground burrows, plant rootballs, leaf litter, etc. If you co to Africa and walk around sulcata habitat, you will NOT see a baby. If they are seen, the are eaten. It took a long time and a lot of people to figure this out but figure it out we did. There are still a lot of unanswered questions, but at least we now know how to grow them smooth and healthy. Here are a couple of very long threads, but there is discussion in there explaining it all.

http://tortoiseforum.org/Thread-The-End-Of-Pyramiding
http://tortoiseforum.org/Thread-The-End-Of-Pyramiding-II-The-Leopards

In short, keep them no lower than 80 around the clock, with a 100-110 degree basking spot for 12 hours a day and as humid as you can get it. Here's all the info on housing:
http://tortoiseforum.org/Thread-How-To-Raise-Sulcata-Hatchlings-and-Babies

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Marta:

The way we take care of our tortoises is changing radically right now. Almost everything you find online or in books is outdated. Its always good to read the old books and do lots of online research, however the best info you can get...the most current info...is right here on the Tortoise Forum.

 

[Marty333]

I just put a little water bowl in chevys habitat also should I spritz him with water?

 

[DeanS]

I just put a little water bowl in chevys habitat also should I spritz him with water?

ABSOLUTELY! At least 3 - 5 times a day.

 

[reptylefreek]

Since your baby will be spending alot of time sleeping, a humid hide is also a very good idea. This way you wont have to worry about spraying him so often. Just keep some moss damp in his little house.

 

[Emorales]

I put cocnut husk in Oscar's enclosure and it has stayed pretty humid in there for him, although it did bring the temperatures down a little.

 

[tczar]

This is how it used to be done. We know better now. I have that same book and Russ Gurley is a very experienced guy, but for the last 25 years or so, we've all be doing it WRONG. We know better now. Dry and arid is great for adults. Warm and wet is what hatchlings and babies need. In the wild the babies stay hidden in damp dark places to avoid predators. Underground burrows, plant rootballs, leaf litter, etc. If you co to Africa and walk around sulcata habitat, you will NOT see a baby. If they are seen, the are eaten. It took a long time and a lot of people to figure this out but figure it out we did. There are still a lot of unanswered questions, but at least we now know how to grow them smooth and healthy. Here are a couple of very long threads, but there is discussion in there explaining it all.

http://tortoiseforum.org/Thread-The-End-Of-Pyramiding
http://tortoiseforum.org/Thread-The-End-Of-Pyramiding-II-The-Leopards

In short, keep them no lower than 80 around the clock, with a 100-110 degree basking spot for 12 hours a day and as humid as you can get it. Here's all the info on housing:
http://tortoiseforum.org/Thread-How-To-Raise-Sulcata-Hatchlings-and-Babies

110 degrees, i would think that would be hard to find if they spent their early years in hidden dark places