Humidity

[Ryancmo7]

I currently have two Red-footed tortoise residing in a (roughly) 4x4 foot wooden enclosure, with no roof/cover. (Don't worry, it's 14 inches tall, they won't escape.) The problem I've come to is: Red-foots require humidity, and having such a large enclosure with no cover, it's hard to keep humid. I've tried some methods, but nothing substantial yet.

 

[Jacqui]

I am assuming this is inside?

 

[Ryancmo7]

Indeed it is. Though I take them outside a fair amount, I'd like them to get more humidity.

 

[ILoveTortoises2]

Oh this is a GREAT questions. I am going to be making an enclosure for my Cherry Heads and they love humidity. So I can make the whole wooden table BUT I am stumped on the top and how to get the humidity to stay in there.

 

[Ryancmo7]

And then there is the problem of accessibility, keeping in or circulating air, accumulation of mold/mildew, etc.

 

[ILoveTortoises2]

Right.... I am stumped on this too. This could help me out as well with anyone that can help.

 

[gieseygirly]

Maybe you could use 1" by 2" pieces of wood and frame up some plexiglass for a top??? Not sure how easy it would be, but I've definitely been thinking about doing this for all my wooden tables.

 

[Ryancmo7]

That would require a 16 square foot piece of plywood, with only one way to support, another 2x2" pillar in the middle. Then there's the accessing, though I could make a hinged panel or two.

---

Plexiglass* my apologies.

 

[gieseygirly]

You wouldn't need the plywood if you use plexiglass, then build a frame around the plexiglass. This way you can still see them from the top without actually having to open the lid if not necessary.

Yes, I was thinking hinges, OR you don't necessarily need hinges - you could just set the lid aside when you are getting them in and out, spot cleaning, etc., etc.
I've been playing around with this idea in my head for a couple months now; just haven't had the time to actually act upon the idea yet

 

[Ryancmo7]

That does sound like a good idea, but it would still require a lot of plexiglass. Like I said, the enclosure is about 4x4 feet.

 

[LeopardTortLover]

I bought an open top box with a cage-style lid. I needed to retain 80% humidity - so I bought some A4 clear plastic acetate sheets from an arts and craft store and attached them to the cage lid. Voila! Humidity retained. Its also a really cheap method too. The humidity comes from moistened coco coir and sphagnum moss only. No humidifier. I cut holes in it for my lamps. Heres a pic.

 

[Tom]

Check this out:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-32333.html

 

[gieseygirly]

I bought an open top box with a cage-style lid. I needed to retain 80% humidity - so I bought some A4 clear plastic acetate sheets from an arts and craft store and attached them to the cage lid. Voila! Humidity retained. Its also a really cheap method too. The humidity comes from moistened coco coir and sphagnum moss only. No humidifier. I cut holes in it for my lamps. Heres a pic.

Ah ha, bingo - I didn't think about just using plastic. Good idea!

 

[ILoveTortoises2]

Oh yeah... Plastic sheets. That would work GREAT