Nose Bubbles

Jackwhiffin

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Dec 11, 2025
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Hi all! I’m looking for a bit of advice for my (roughly) 18 month Hermann’s tort.

We changed substrate last week (topsoil at bottom, coconut coir then some decorative bark at top) and he has not been exploring much since then, spending a lot of his time asleep (but this has always been the case really). I have noticed a few time this week bubbles from his nose at random points (like when I’ve had to wake him after being buried in substrate or if he gets picked up to be put in bath). I know this is sometimes and issue and sometimes not, but as it’s bank holiday weekend in Wales where I’m from it’s hard to find a vet. Is there anything I can do or check to my mind at east right now?

For context his table has a hot area which is around 30 degrees and humidity fluctuates between 50 and 70, a cooler area further away and his bedroom on the side where he sleeps at night which is generally low 20s in temp and humidity 70-80. Separate UV light. alongside his basking light, can get extra dets if needed.
 

Jackwhiffin

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Bit more detail about the bubbles, they are clear and small, popping quickly, and don’t run. He hasn’t been coughing or wheezing as far as I can tell but my partner reckons he sounds like he has a blocked nose.
 

wellington

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Raise the basking temp so it Is around 90-95F cool side 75F. Night temp can be 68F
However, until the bubbles are gone I would have night temps at 70F
 

TammyJ

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Please post a picture of the bag the decorative bark came in, so we can see what is is.
 

Tom

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Hi all! I’m looking for a bit of advice for my (roughly) 18 month Hermann’s tort.

We changed substrate last week (topsoil at bottom, coconut coir then some decorative bark at top) and he has not been exploring much since then, spending a lot of his time asleep (but this has always been the case really). I have noticed a few time this week bubbles from his nose at random points (like when I’ve had to wake him after being buried in substrate or if he gets picked up to be put in bath). I know this is sometimes and issue and sometimes not, but as it’s bank holiday weekend in Wales where I’m from it’s hard to find a vet. Is there anything I can do or check to my mind at east right now?

For context his table has a hot area which is around 30 degrees and humidity fluctuates between 50 and 70, a cooler area further away and his bedroom on the side where he sleeps at night which is generally low 20s in temp and humidity 70-80. Separate UV light. alongside his basking light, can get extra dets if needed.
Topsoil should never be used for substrate. It is made from composted yard waste and they add in all sorts of weird stuff to get the right consistency for growing plants. There could be anything in that bag including toxins, hazardous items, and noxious plant material that cold be irritating the nasal passages. They do not make it for animals to live on in small indoor enclosures. They make it to grow plant outdoors.

RIs are usually caused by chronically low temps. Your basking area should be 36-37C, and 25-28C is a good daytime ambient away from the basking area. Low 20s at night should be fine as long as he can warm up properly each day.

What type of UV bulb are you using? If it is an HO tube, like the Arcadia 12% tubes, that is ideal. All-in-one type bulbs and CFL type UV bulbs should not be used. The UV should only be on for a few hours mid day, and you need LED lighting to keep it looking bright and "sunny" during the rest of day when the UV tube is off.
 

Littleredfootbigredheart

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Did this settle down? Were you able to make the changes suggested in this thread?🐢💚
 

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