Seeking advice regarding substrate

[LauraM]

Hi everyone,
This is my very first post in the forum and I'm so glad I found this site!
I am bringing home a baby Hermann's tortoise(approx. 4 months old) in a couple of weeks, and I would appreciate any advice you can offer. I've been researching the breed as much as I possibly can for a while now. However in doing so, I've found that there is so much conflicting information out there, from one article to the next. Right now I am in the process of getting their habitat prepared and I would like to know what substrate/s I should be using. I would love to hear from experienced Hermann's owners, who can offer firsthand advice as to what has(or has not) worked successfully for them. Also, trying to decipher what humidity level really is optimal.
I just truly want to provide the safest possible start and environment for my little one, obviously, so I'm sort of anxious about making any mistakes that may impact his/her well being. I guess you could say I'm sort of like a soon-to-be first-time parent! SOOOO excited, yet a bit nervous at the same time.
So to those who have any advice to share, thanks in advance! I very much appreciate it!
All the best,
Laura

 

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings,

Lots of great information in this Care Guide on Hermanns

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/

• Substrate - A suitable substrate is clean top soil mixed with coconut coir or peat moss. I prefer to ad sand into this mix to help generate a substrate that replicates what they experience in nature more closely. However, using sand has been known to cause impaction in reptiles which can lead to death. Although in more than 20 years we have never experienced this with any of our tortoises kept on it, this does not mean it won’t happen to your animal(s). Use caution or simply don’t use the sand. The substrate can be up to 4” deep to allow for burrowing.

Good luck n happy torting

 

[Tom]

I prefer damp coco coir for all Testudo babies. No soil, no peat, and no sand.

Ambient humidity for a baby should be 50-70%, but there needs to be 4" of damp substrate and a humid hide. I typed this up for Russians, but care is the same for hermanni: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

This one too: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[Blackdog1714]

Awesome choice to start hear and not somewhere that gives outdated advice. I dialed my setup in first and have had nothing but smooth sailing since thanks to the wealth of written and offered advice.