Not Turtley Enough
New Member
I just picked up Littlefoot the other day and he is the first tortoise I have had. He didn't come with any information. I attached some pictures if anyone could let me know if he looks healthy and possibly age/gender. I just measured him and he is right at 4 inches.
I currently have him in a 50-gallon terrarium heated by a 100w CHE. The warmer side fluctuates from low 90s to high 80s while the cooler side is low 80s to high 70s.
I have been struggling with maintaining the humidity. The warmer side keeps falling to 50-60% while the cooler side with the water bowl is around 70-80%.
I have been misting him and the substrate and putting warm water in the corners. However, it drops to the above numbers in a few hours. I've read you shouldn't saturate the substrate, but it seems rather dry unless I really go crazy. I did have plexiglass cut to cover the mesh top but I can't cover the parts with the UVB light or heater.
Is the 50 gallon terrarium OK for him at his size? It was the biggest terrarium I could find from most places. I live in a 2 bedroom apartment and he is currently in my guestroom/office.
I do have a 7.5 x 7.5 foot balcony that I am looking to maybe get a 6x2x2 stock tank to make into an enclosure. Right now I am trying to figure out how quickly he will grow and the size of enclosure he will need in the next few years depending on growth.
I appreciate any insight and advice you can provide!
I currently have him in a 50-gallon terrarium heated by a 100w CHE. The warmer side fluctuates from low 90s to high 80s while the cooler side is low 80s to high 70s.
I have been struggling with maintaining the humidity. The warmer side keeps falling to 50-60% while the cooler side with the water bowl is around 70-80%.
I have been misting him and the substrate and putting warm water in the corners. However, it drops to the above numbers in a few hours. I've read you shouldn't saturate the substrate, but it seems rather dry unless I really go crazy. I did have plexiglass cut to cover the mesh top but I can't cover the parts with the UVB light or heater.
Is the 50 gallon terrarium OK for him at his size? It was the biggest terrarium I could find from most places. I live in a 2 bedroom apartment and he is currently in my guestroom/office.
I do have a 7.5 x 7.5 foot balcony that I am looking to maybe get a 6x2x2 stock tank to make into an enclosure. Right now I am trying to figure out how quickly he will grow and the size of enclosure he will need in the next few years depending on growth.
I appreciate any insight and advice you can provide!