Newbie, bioactive possible for Western hermanns? Questions

Michellelafille

New Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2023
Messages
1
Location (City and/or State)
Phoenix AZ
Sometime in July-August I will be getting my first tortoise, a Western Hermanns from Garden State!

I have many other of creatures and most of them have bioactive setups.

Is a bioactive enclosure okay for a Western Hermanns tortoise? Especially a 9-12 week old? Would the bugs annoy or irritate?

My normal soil mix for bioactive consists of:
Reptisoil
Coco coir
spagnum moss (could this lead to impaction if added within the soil? Should I not put it in?)
play sand (miniscule amount)
rotted decomposing wood crumbles
Various dried hardwood leaves/ magnolia leaves
Cork bark
Bat guano
Worm castings
Limestone/cuttlebone
Isopods/springtails
Various plants (that I would make sure are tort safe)
Various dried things such as magnolia pods, lotus pods (for isopods to hide in)
Various stones and pebbles
Humidity hide
Multiple other wood hides


Are all these items safe?

My enclosure is also 36inx18inx18in is this suitable for a single western hermanns?

Thanks
 

SinLA

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
Joined
Apr 19, 2022
Messages
1,937
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
Also this one:

 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,264
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Sometime in July-August I will be getting my first tortoise, a Western Hermanns from Garden State!

I have many other of creatures and most of them have bioactive setups.

Is a bioactive enclosure okay for a Western Hermanns tortoise? Especially a 9-12 week old? Would the bugs annoy or irritate?

My normal soil mix for bioactive consists of:
Reptisoil
Coco coir
spagnum moss (could this lead to impaction if added within the soil? Should I not put it in?)
play sand (miniscule amount)
rotted decomposing wood crumbles
Various dried hardwood leaves/ magnolia leaves
Cork bark
Bat guano
Worm castings
Limestone/cuttlebone
Isopods/springtails
Various plants (that I would make sure are tort safe)
Various dried things such as magnolia pods, lotus pods (for isopods to hide in)
Various stones and pebbles
Humidity hide
Multiple other wood hides


Are all these items safe?

My enclosure is also 36inx18inx18in is this suitable for a single western hermanns?

Thanks
I've never tried this, so can't comment on its safety. I can tell you that tortoises seem to try to find ways to hurt or kill themselves, and there is a lot of potential risk in your list. I prefer to see them in well planted and well decorated enclosures, but they eat or trample anything they have access to. Its tough.

36x18x18 is fine for a little baby, but if healthy, it will outgrow that quickly.
 
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