My tortoise table

[mashton10]

Tomorow I'm going to buy coco coir and soil and use that as a substrate for my enclosure, I'm also going to make two hideouts so the humidity is right, how often should I water the substrate? Where about a should I water? The hideouts/heated areas/ everywhere? What plants are best to try and grow for inside enclosure? The area is 9ft by 3ft so I do have a bit of space to work with.

 

[wellington]

What kind of tortoise are you going to be housing?

 

[mashton10]

Hermanns, sorry I thought I put that in? What do you think to my planned set up?

 

[Moozillion]

For my Hermann's, I keep a thermometer/hygrometer in each end (one in the warm end and one in the cool end). I watch the readings there and let that guide me as to when to water and how much. I try to keep the humidity between 55 and 80%. When I water, I water pretty much the whole enclosure: I make SURE I know where she is, first, because she likes to bury herself in her substrate! I have a small plastic watering can with a long slender spout. I stick a garden trowel down into the substrate, twist just enough to create a little opening and pour in a little water. I do this in numerous spots all over her enclosure and refill the watering can several times, depending on how much water I need. I was NEVER able to keep good humidity levels up until I covered part of her enclosure. Right now, I just have 2 big pieces of plexiglass that lie across the top. I plan to build her a bigger, more elaborate enclosure for next winter!

The Tortoise Table has a great list of tortoise safe plants. I have Boston fern, Spider plant (also called airplane plant) and Swedish ivy in my indoor enclosure. I have Boston ferns, Asparagus fern, hosta, nasturtiums and spider plants (and both Bermuda and St. Augustine grass) in my outdoor enclosure. My Elsa LOVES plants: she digs down and sleeps under the damp, cool roots! Have fun with your Hermanns- they're great!!!