Moss

[Pure Tortoise Power]

Is this moss safe to be put in the enclosure? Would it cause any harm to my sully if it invests the moss?

 

[Tom]

Not safe in my experience. Every tortoise of every species that I've ever kept tries to eat it. It can cause an impaction. Its also not necessary and doesn't do anything for your tortoise.

 

[Pure Tortoise Power]

Not safe in my experience. Every tortoise of every species that I've ever kept tries to eat it. It can cause an impaction. Its also not necessary and doesn't do anything for your tortoise.

I see. But I heard this moss help keep the humidity up? That true?

 

[Tom]

I see. But I heard this moss help keep the humidity up? That true?

No. Not true. Dampness and a closed top keeps the humidity up. Whether you use damp moss or dampen something else, like your substrate, doesn't matter. You can maintain 80% humidity even with bone dry substrate in a proper closed chamber with a water bowl and humid hide. Like this:


See the meter in the back there? 81% humidity with dry Sani-Chips for substrate.

 

[Pure Tortoise Power]

No. Not true. Dampness and a closed top keeps the humidity up. Whether you use damp moss or dampen something else, like your substrate, doesn't matter. You can maintain 80% humidity even with bone dry substrate in a proper closed chamber with a water bowl and humid hide. Like this:
View attachment 264954

See the meter in the back there? 81% humidity with dry Sani-Chips for substrate.

Oh I see. I have 2 questions still.

1. How much ventilation is required in a closed chamber? Perhaps show me some pics?

2. What exactly is impaction?

 

[Tom]

Oh I see. I have 2 questions still.

1. How much ventilation is required in a closed chamber? Perhaps show me some pics?

2. What exactly is impaction?

1. Here are examples of closed chambers done right:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/new-stack-of-animal-plastics-closed-chambers.165626/#post-1600958
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/our-new-closed-chamber-for-our-new-group-of-tortoises.138430/
How much ventilation to use varies with each individual enclosure. Not much is needed.

2. Impaction is a blockage of the intestinal tract. It means food cannot pass through. It is fatal if not corrected.

 

[Pure Tortoise Power]

1. Here are examples of closed chambers done right:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/new-stack-of-animal-plastics-closed-chambers.165626/#post-1600958
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/our-new-closed-chamber-for-our-new-group-of-tortoises.138430/
How much ventilation to use varies with each individual enclosure. Not much is needed.

2. Impaction is a blockage of the intestinal tract. It means food cannot pass through. It is fatal if not corrected.

Thx for the info. One last thing, is pine bark in combination with coco coir a good substrate?

 

[Tom]

Thx for the info. One last thing, is pine bark in combination with coco coir a good substrate?

No need to mix. I wouldn't use pine bark. Fine grade fir bark is good. Coco coir is okay for baby Testudo, but I don't like it for most other species because it is too messy.

 

[Pure Tortoise Power]

No need to mix. I wouldn't use pine bark. Fine grade fir bark is good. Coco coir is okay for baby Testudo, but I don't like it for most other species because it is too messy.

Alright thx