- Joined
- Apr 13, 2008
- Messages
- 32
With that to preface....
Ok, I live in a warm climate (new orleans).. Its humid almost all the time. I keep my heat on at least 68 (usually 72) in the winter and have my redfoots' mercury UV heat lamp on so it is 95 in basking area, but cold in the other part of enclosure (70º). The torts are hanging out in the warmer part of the enclosure, presumably because of the colder ambient temperatures. They are waking up by themselves, but their eyes have been puffy, which I know can be a symptom of low humidity. It is ALWAYS at least 60% humidity in their cage, but how I do I maintain a higher humidity. The ceramic heat emitter makes it REALLY dry and REALLY hot (90-105º throughout the entire cage, hotter nearer the lamp), so I have quit using it (and only kept to the UV mercury lamP). I spritz the moss several times a day. Tomorrow, i am going to revamp the cage with coconut fibre, playsand, and moss in hopes that it will retain more humidity. My torts (ever since I got them) were outside at LEAST 4 times a week for a few hours, but this is their first winter and have not been able to go out for two months. I am worried this is affecting their health.
Is this a good plan? Any other reason for puffy eyes? If it warms up for a few days, the puffy eyes go away. I live in a southern enviroment, but am really worried their indoor enclosure is not adequate without the outdoor supplements.
Thanks again yall
Ok, I live in a warm climate (new orleans).. Its humid almost all the time. I keep my heat on at least 68 (usually 72) in the winter and have my redfoots' mercury UV heat lamp on so it is 95 in basking area, but cold in the other part of enclosure (70º). The torts are hanging out in the warmer part of the enclosure, presumably because of the colder ambient temperatures. They are waking up by themselves, but their eyes have been puffy, which I know can be a symptom of low humidity. It is ALWAYS at least 60% humidity in their cage, but how I do I maintain a higher humidity. The ceramic heat emitter makes it REALLY dry and REALLY hot (90-105º throughout the entire cage, hotter nearer the lamp), so I have quit using it (and only kept to the UV mercury lamP). I spritz the moss several times a day. Tomorrow, i am going to revamp the cage with coconut fibre, playsand, and moss in hopes that it will retain more humidity. My torts (ever since I got them) were outside at LEAST 4 times a week for a few hours, but this is their first winter and have not been able to go out for two months. I am worried this is affecting their health.
Is this a good plan? Any other reason for puffy eyes? If it warms up for a few days, the puffy eyes go away. I live in a southern enviroment, but am really worried their indoor enclosure is not adequate without the outdoor supplements.
Thanks again yall