Humidity TOO HIGH?
- Thread starter Tyanna
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Depends,on the species of tortoise.
I'm interested in learning. Can you share what info you have, depending on each species?
@Tom will be able to answer this better then me on some species. Others, not sure who, will have to fill in for species Tom can't.
There are many species which need a high humidity especially the species which live in tropical regions.
For example Kinixys homeana and kinixys erosa need a very high humidity because they live in the rainforest of westafrica. C. carbonaria and denticulata need also a high humidity but they could also accept lower humidities because they live in the rainforest and in the grassland where the humidity isn't so high. So all in all you can say that species which live in rainforest or in region which have a tropical climate need a higher humidity. For some species which can live with a very high and a "higher" humidity is its important to know from which region they come. Hopefully that help a little bit it's every time difficult for me to explain things like that in English..
For example Kinixys homeana and kinixys erosa need a very high humidity because they live in the rainforest of westafrica. C. carbonaria and denticulata need also a high humidity but they could also accept lower humidities because they live in the rainforest and in the grassland where the humidity isn't so high. So all in all you can say that species which live in rainforest or in region which have a tropical climate need a higher humidity. For some species which can live with a very high and a "higher" humidity is its important to know from which region they come. Hopefully that help a little bit it's every time difficult for me to explain things like that in English..
It has never been a problem for me, in my enclosures with the way I do things. I can't say I have ever seen anyone else have a problem either as long as temps didn't drop too low.
You did just fine! Thank you!
So for my Russian, having a humidity on the "cool" side, which is about 73-75 degrees, of 80% could NOT or could hurt him?
I just raised 20 of them that way, and they are all fine and dandy.
Good to know. So at this point I'm feeling high humidity wouldn't really be a problem unless temps drop low. So in a way there's no such thing as TOO high of humidity as long as temps are right.
If there is such a thing, I have not seen it yet. But I also don't make any species live in 100% humidity all day and all night every day. In theory it could be a problem, but I have never heard of anyone doing that, or of it ever being a problem. I would not make the statement that there is no such thing as too high humidity. Indeed there might be, though I have yet to see it.
Magilla504
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I am by far not an expert but based off my own experimenting, higher humidity has helped with shell growth. All of my Russians were at some point wild caught. When I got them they each had very rough and bumpy shells. After keeping my humidity between 60 and 70, they have all smoothed out and seem to have a natural shine. Just my own experience with my Russians.
I've been looking for a definite answer myself. I'm currently trying to lower my humidity levels for fear of them being too high. They won't drop below 95% this last week.
I currently made them a new bigger closed chamber for the winter. The substrate is not muddy but it is still a little moist. So I've opened it up and am letting some humidity air out. I'm trying to aim for 80 to 85 to be safer.
— Gus
I currently made them a new bigger closed chamber for the winter. The substrate is not muddy but it is still a little moist. So I've opened it up and am letting some humidity air out. I'm trying to aim for 80 to 85 to be safer.
— Gus
The shell is rough because in their natural habitat the humidity isn't so high. So it's clear when you give them in captivity an higher humidity than their shell will shinning or will look better because the wetness "sit" on the shell. Your dermal look also better when when you give some wetness.
But my opinion is that a such high humidity for Russians isn't very good. The animals know other humidity from their habitat so this change in keeping them could be difficult for them.
Magilla504
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- Sep 19, 2014
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I understand that their shells are rough from from their wild environments. In the wild, they deal with what the environment dictates. I am specifically saying that my personal experience with my russian tort colony shows thriving growth due to the consistent 60 to 70% humidity. Also in this thread, Tom( who is extremely experienced) says that he has also raised his 20 plus Russians in this conditions. As long as temp drops are not a problem than I have not seen any negative effects in a higher humidity environment. Knock on wood, mine have never experienced any respiratory, fungus or shell rot which is the fear with a humid or "wet" environment. This is just my personal experience and it has worked well for me.
Jason
Jason
