Is this ideal?

[bllauben]

I have not had a reliable hydrometer/thermometer for a long time (shame on me, I know). I ended up buying one today, an indoor/outdoor one from Lowes.

Here's my readings:
Cool end: 70.7 degrees
Basking end: hovering around 93 degrees.
Humidity: hovering between 55 and 59 percent.

I am returning the Zoo Med Turtle Huts. The XLarge is too small for Boris and Sonya. For their hideaways, I leaned a 12x12 ceramic tile along the side of their current enclosure. I also put one down in the basking area.

Just want to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[Yvonne G]

Hey, Beth: Don't worry about it. I don't have a thermometer OR a hydrometer. I just go by feeling and the way the tortoises act.

What you describe is ok, except that the tile might not be very secure. Be sure to anchor it into the substrate so the tortoises can't make it fall down.

 

[tortoises101]

It sounds like you could bump your temps up to 78F on the cool side and around 97F on the basking spot. You could also consider adding some more rocks and some artificial bushes, or even a large branch to make it seem more realistic. You can also grow Opuntia in your tortoise pen (under your light) which gives a more natural touch. You could also grow some grass such as carex to give the tortoises some additional cover.

But other than that you sound like you're off to a good start.

 

[bllauben]

emysemys, that's what I was doing for the longest time. I bought the thermometer/hydrometer because Sonya is finally old enough to lay eggs. I wanted to be as percise as possible so that any resulting hatchlings would be strong and healthy. Thanks for the warning about the tile. I will definately rig something up.

tortoises101, when the weather gets just a bit warmer, despite the boyfriend's protests (which I don't listen to anyway), I am building a larger enclosure and am planning on incoporating many of your suggestions. Thanks! The current enclosure is just barely big enough for them as is. My parents were not educated at all when they bought Boris and Sonya for my two younger sisters. Guess that's why I was begged to take them.