stressed out (me)

[pebbles mom]

So many things to ask, not sure where to start. I just found this forum ... AFTER I bought the baby Hermann!

1. I was told a glass tank is better (by the reptile manager at a local establishment) and plastic does not hold the heat in. Now I just read someplace that is not true. It's currently in a "underbed" plastic storage container, because I have a 20 gal from a friend that needs to be cleaned up first. Suppose to pick it up this weekend. Maybe I won't need to???

2. substrate ... the "pet store" had all the cute little tortoises on this stuff by Zoo-Med called Repti-Bark. The bag says it's 100% fir bark. And it's cleaned up so to speak, dust is removed. Anyway, today I read no woodchips. Can I still use this?

3. Was also reading a post that someone said it looked like her tort had hiccups. And that it's head was bobbing. Now mine has what I can best describe as a twitch ... with the front legs. It's kinda freaking me out. If it was a person it would be shrugging it's shoulders. It's that type of movement.

4. one more thing I observed while it's eating ... there is a clicking noise. Almost like a knuckle cracking but WAY more soft and quiet. Is that normal "lip smacking ... yummy food" sounds??

I think that is it for now ... This website is awesome by the way

Linda in WI

 

[Tim/Robin]

So many things to ask, not sure where to start. I just found this forum ... AFTER I bought the baby Hermann!

1. I was told a glass tank is better (by the reptile manager at a local establishment) and plastic does not hold the heat in. Now I just read someplace that is not true. It's currently in a "underbed" plastic storage container, because I have a 20 gal from a friend that needs to be cleaned up first. Suppose to pick it up this weekend. Maybe I won't need to???

Linda I'm glad you found the forum. Lots of people keep young tortoises in plastic containers like you described. If he has a basking temperature about 90-95 degrees and cooler end about 80, the container will work fine. Tortoises tend to become stressed in a glass aquarium. They don't understand the barrier, and will walk the perimeter of glass continuously. Also, they feel exposed and not secure. Glass is not ideal. We have had ours in an aquarium occasionally when we were in a pinch, but we changed to something better asap.

2. substrate ... the "pet store" had all the cute little tortoises on this stuff by Zoo-Med called Repti-Bark. The bag says it's 100% fir bark. And it's cleaned up so to speak, dust is removed. Anyway, today I read no woodchips. Can I still use this?

Many people recommend either aspen shavings (not cedar or pine as many woods can irritate the nose/eyes) or just plain paper towels for a baby Hermann. We keep our very young torts on paper towels, which are easily changed out daily. The older torts are on aspen shavings. Its absorbent and won't harm them if the accidentally ingest it. Babies tend to eat or try to eat everything. Clean paper towel won't harm them. Ours have never bitten a chunk, but they do like to hide under it. However, this would not be good in a glass cage because the glass is so slippery under their feet. And they WILL find their way under the towel.

If you want to use the fir bark, just buy some aspen and mix them together. Then you won't feel you are out any money. But if these are hatchlings, do paper towel now and the other substrates later.

3. Was also reading a post that someone said it looked like her tort had hiccups. And that it's head was bobbing. Now mine has what I can best describe as a twitch ... with the front legs. It's kinda freaking me out. If it was a person it would be shrugging it's shoulders. It's that type of movement.

What you are describing, with shoulder movement is simply your tortoise breathing. Tortoises do not have a diaphragm that inflates their lungs (the shell is too contricting for that type of muscle movement). They use body movements, like leg/shoulder movement to create the negative pressure required to move air into their lungs. This is normal. Don't worry.

4. one more thing I observed while it's eating ... there is a clicking noise. Almost like a knuckle cracking but WAY more soft and quiet. Is that normal "lip smacking ... yummy food" sounds??

Lots of torts make a sound like that when they eat. Again, normal, don't worry.

One thing you can do is buy a scale, the kind used to weigh letters or used in a kitchen to weigh smaller amounts of food (weight watchers scale). Weigh your little one each week and keep a record. Over time, you will know your baby is doing well if there is a gradual weight gain (I'm talking maybe a gram or so gained each week). Spend time watching your baby and then you will know if he stops eating/pooping, or being active. Observation is the best way to catch something early. You are already good at that, so keep up the good work, keep in touch with people here, and enjoy your new friend.

 

[pebbles mom]

THANKS to both of you for all the info ... I can go to sleep now!! (midnight here) I will try and get some pictures up in the next couple days and find me some aspen shavings ... I think I may have too much bark in there now ... he's completely under it. Althought I do not know the exact DOB for it ... we are guessing it's 5-7 weeks old.

 

[Granolagal]

Welcome Linda!

Congratulations on your new babe! You are in good hands with the knowledgeable and wonderfully helpful folks on TF. You are gonna love being a new tortoise mom. Best of luck and have fun I look forward to seeing pics.

 

[Crazy1]

Hi Linda, welcome to the forum. You are in luck we have a Herman’s owner that has provided us with a care sheet here is the site address http://tortoiseforum.org/hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-t-1000.html
Indoor enclosures need to have UVB light from a bulb. You will also need a heat lamp for a basking area and a hide box for some privacy. Mercury vapor lamps, which supply heat and UVB, are good as long as the enclosure offers a warm end and a cooler end. I use T-Rex MVB (mercury Vapor bulbs) 100 watt at a height of about 14 inches. During winter months I use a ceramic heat emitter at night this will keep the night time temps about 60-65 if you live where it is cold.
Clean water should be available daily, and twice-weekly soaks are not a bad idea, either.
Daytime Air Temp 70-90
Nightime air temp 60-65
Basking Temp 90-95
Humidity 30-50%

don't stress out we are here for you. any questions just ask. congratulations on becoming a tort mom.

 

[pebbles mom]

Humidity ... oh boy! Today the weather channel.com says humidity is 95% here. I'm not really sure what I can do about that one.

I do have that all in one bulb by T-Rex ... the one where my jaw hit the floor at the price. And thank goodness for the 6 month guarantee, cause I already took it back once! I'm definitly in a cold state (WI). Once fall rolls around I'll worry about it getting too warm in the house. Although I keep it pretty cool cause I can't stand being hot. Give me that cold air anytime, cold keeps you awake. lol

Can you mist the little dudes? I saw someone doin that. I have a very fine spray bottle our crestie. Just wondered if they'd like that or not.

 

[purpod]

Greetings ~ Not much I can add to the wonderful advice already given 'cept to welcome you here.

Also, I use the reptile carpets for the bottom of my indoor enclosures; it comes in a pack of 2, so that one can be washed {no soap tho, just rinsed well with a strong current of hot water!} while another is in place. And it makes clean up rather simple

One more thing, if you have high humidty where you live, and he also gets his bath times, I would not think that he would need misting; altho I admit, this is just an opinion.

Well, bestest wishes to you and your new family member! And again, welcome to TF!
Purpod

 

[katesgoey]

Welcome to the Forum Linda and congrats on your new baby. As you can tell from the responses you've already received, you'll get a lot of support here. Sorry I don't have the answer to your humidity question, but I'm sure you'll get an experienced response soon.

 

[Crazy1]

Linda, warm and humid OK, cold and humid bad. It does not stay 95% humidity all the time so I think getting there for a while won't hurt. When the humidity is low and the temps up I have misted my Greeks. I'm not sure they really like it but a quick sprits now and then when the temps are up won't hurt them. I once figured out the cost of a ceramic heat emitter, and its holder, a florescent uvb bulb a florescent uva bulb (for the plants) and their holders and found that all those cost more than the T-rex MVB and its holder for daytime and one ceramic heat emitter and its holder for the night-time. Plus the energy bill was lower-go figure. Mega Ray bulbs I heard were really good and sell now for about $39.95 online. they last about a yr. Better than a bulb every 6 months, I think.

 

[Rosiee]

How old is the baby herman? i have a woodchip side (under the heat lamp set at about 85 -90c) and top soil on the other side for more of a natural feel to the enclosure. The tub i think you decribed that its in at the moment seems fine providing its a fair size and it'll be better for you baby then glass. In my personal opoin i dont like the rep bark, but then again on the packets i have seen its had warnings saying that its dangerous for tortoises to digest, i am also fussy though as i think that tortoises are out side creatures so encloures should have as natural habitate as poss. But congrates on the baby, hours of slow fun.

 

[pebbles mom]

One more thanks to EVERYONES replies!

Rosiee, we are estimating him being hatched around 07/17/08 - give or take. That made me mad the pet store did not know ... but what are you going to do right?

Yes, I have gotten the Aspen shavings and will phase out the bark. I see it is sleeping in the shavings tonight so that is cool. I really just wanted to mimic the surroundings he was used to. And that is what he was on for at least 3-4 weeks.

Oh, I am SOOOO jealous of all you guys on here with outdoor pens ... some day I hope we can swing that for the Pebble