Humidity

[Angi]

This is probably a dumb question. but I keep reading about humidity for different torts. Does this apply to California desert Tortoises too. I know they come from a dry climate. I have heard they should not be exposed to too much moisture and I don't want to take any chances with my little angels. Advice please!
Thanks

 

[Josh]

Hi Angi, you'll want your tortoises hide to have some humidity. The rest of the enclosure can be kept pretty dry.

 

[tortoiselover]

I agree. You need to have some sort of hide that has a humidity. I have 2 tortoises of different ages, both were hatchlings and grew up in pretty much the exact same living conditions. 1 has some pyramiding that I was able to catch in time and stop before it got bad, and the other has a perfect shell.

The only difference was the humidity. I feel that it is mandatory as I personally have noticed that it makes a difference.

 

[Madortoise]

It is my understanding that CDTs urinate in their hide to keep the level of humidity needed.

 

[Angi]

Thanks. They always push the subtrate out of the hide.

 

[Yvonne G]

Thanks. They always push the subtrate out of the hide.

I think that would be an indication that they're trying to dig down deeper to reach the more moist earth.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

I have raised several CDT's from hatchlings and I kept them relatively humid, and they all had perfect shells. But Gopherus agassizii do not pyramid like Sulcata do. With that said I will repeat that I kept mine in a pretty humid environment. I believe I have been rather successful in keeping them healthy and beautiful.

 

[DeanS]

I thought I would bring up that we have almost 4 pages of threads with 'humidity' in the title

 

[Tom]

It depends on where you live AND the micro-climate they are in. I've raised several hatchlings in the past and they all pyramided horribly. I kept them very dry, fearing the dreaded CDT URTI. Several people I know just raised theirs outdoors in a well planted and irrigated backyard and theirs did not pyramid, even though we are all in the same general area of the country and used a similar diet and care techniques.

They don't pyramid as bad as sulcatas and Leopards, but they CAN pyramid.

I agree with the above posters. A humid hide is a must, but how humid you keep the rest of the enclosure should also depend on where you live and how humid your tortoises area is. Knowing what I know now, my next CDT hatchling is going to be raised very humid. I'll be sure to let everyone know if it causes me any problems.