Misting for humidity

[DixieParadise]

I just rehomed a Cherry Head. I need some advice on misting? I noticed that my torts shell was looking a little dry, so I am guessing the humidty is low and temp is high in enclosure. I misted the enclosure with distilled water and tort became a little more active. Is this an okay thing to do, a bad thing to do or any help would be appreciated. I am guessing the age at about 1 o 2 years. The tort just is 3 inches at the plastron. I am the 3rd owner. The person who I received it from rehomed it 6 months ago.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi EJ:

Yes, misting is a good idea. So is having a substrate that you can moisten. I like to use orchid bark or cypress mulch because you can moisten either and they don't turn sour.

 

[Tropical Torts]

Yes you should mist him until he drips a couple times a day.

 

[DixieParadise]

Thanks for the advice. She seemed to move around a bit more after I misted. She is very shy, but I am trying not to bother her as we begin the bonding (lol) process.

Hi EJ:

Yes, misting is a good idea. So is having a substrate that you can moisten. I like to use orchid bark or cypress mulch because you can moisten either and they don't turn sour.

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

If she likes the misting than she probably would like a soak. Do you soak her?

 

[Candy]

Pictures, pictures, pictures. Yes misting is a great idea and so is soaking. They are shy so it might take a while for her to feel comfortable. Just do what you're doing and it should be fine.

 

[DixieParadise]

Ok, thanks CT and Candy. I will get more pics of her up as soon as I figure that part out. As for misting, I will continue. I am intrigued about soaking. I will try to find a thread on it and post my results. Thanks again for the welcome and advice.

Pictures, pictures, pictures. Yes misting is a great idea and so is soaking. They are shy so it might take a while for her to feel comfortable. Just do what you're doing and it should be fine.

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View attachment 8441View attachment 8442[size=medium]Pics of "Gypsy"

 

[Madkins007]

Look, misting works, but it is a pain in the neck. It is a lot easier to design a habitat that meets the tortoise's needs- especially for the first couple years.

A large, mostly enclosed habitat with a humidity-friendly substrate (cypress mulch, orchid bark, bioactive substrate), warmth coming from below to heat the moisture in the substrate to turn it to humidity and warmth, and some additional heating as needed gives you a nice, humid habitat that does not need a lot of additional attention.

Besides humidity, they also need good drinking water they can easily soak in, good hides they can snuggle in, UVB lighting or good vitamin D supplement, good diet, etc. to prevent shell issues.

There are articles on much of this at http://www.tortoiselibrary.com

 

[Hustler]

I spray mine down daily till they are soaked with the cypress bedding, I also have a big water pan for them to soak as well as a warm mist himidifier on a timer just to be safe

 

[jeremyjtaylor]

I was wondering if any of you have used hydroballs to help boost humidity levels in your redfoot enclosures? For the time being I am going to be housing mine in a 40 gallon reptile tank with a screen lid (until space/money allow me to build something larger and have a summer outdoor enclosure). I live in upstate NY, so during the cold months (esp. with my electric heat) humidity will be an issue.... I was thinking of putting a layer of hydroballs in water beneath the substrate, which I plan to use a mix of repti-bark and forest floor cypress bedding. I will have an undertank heater, which I was hoping would keep the water layer warm enough to boost the humidity level in the habitat. Thoughts on this??

Also, what would some good potted plants be to add to the habitat that I could most likely get from either Lowe's or Home Depot?

 

[HLogic]

I know the expanded clay balls are excellent biofilter media. I will be using them in a (not necessarily) soon-to-be-built biofilter for the water system in my outside enclosures. Something that is not obvious from the diagram shown is that the balls must extend above the water level to increase the surface area exposed to the air otherwise they will not increase the humidity beyond what a water-only (i.e. no clay balls) system would. The set-up they show on that page would provide biofiltration and if implemented correctly, increased humidity.

I don't know that I would abandon misting, however. It provides something that atmospheric humidity won't, a wet animal...

I'll have to defer to a more knowledgeable source on the suitable plants. I have not tried that route...

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

I had never heard of hydroball's. I will definitely be thinking about how to use them in my new vivarium! Thank's for that!

 

[terryo]

http://www.africantortoise.com/edible_landscaping.htm
This is my favorite site for plants. I also throw in some Spring mix seeds. I like Irish Moss or Scottish Moss for around the water dish...helps keep it clean. I have a big Rose of Sharon Tree and also put some seeds in the vivarium. They love all those little sprouts.

Here is another great site with pictures.
http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/plants_19.asp?mode=az

 

[Madkins007]

(snip)
I don't know that I would abandon misting, however. It provides something that atmospheric humidity won't, a wet animal...

(snip)

What do you consider to be the benefits of a wet animal?

(I'm not trying to be a smart-aleck or anything- just honestly seeking information from someone I consider to be a wonderful resource)