Tips for the first 24-72 hours...

[ticothetort2]

Hey guys, I just ordered my little Tico from Cory and Tom and will be receiving him on Friday!!! I'm looking for tips and things that you all have done when bringing a hatchling home, as well as if you've had a tort shipped to you? If you have those must do's in the first 24-72 hours of them being with you, please fill me in...Thanks.

Here he is:

Enclosure:

This will be the warm side with humid hide and basking area.

This will be the cool end with feeding spot and hide

The tank is 3 feet long and a little over 1 foot wide/high.
Tico will spend his first year in this before I move him to the table I built.
The enclosure isn't finished I will be adding some greenery and I'm sure once he get's in there it will be rearranged to his liking.

 

[Kenny]

1st thing I would do id make sure the hatchling is hydrated.
Put a little moss in the hide, and just leave him alone for a few days to let him get comfortable .
Leo's are pretty hardy little guys, shouldn't have any problems.
I'd also have the heating all set up a few days before hand so you can be sure all the temps are right.

Congrats

 

[Laura]

definately some greenery and a more secluded hide.
Im sure Tom will give you plenty of info.
but when it arrives. a nice warm soak, and let him be.. dont pester him too much. he will need to settle and get adjusted..
Food too!

 

[harris]

I know you want to view your little guy when you get him but personally I would wrap some paper around the outside of the aquarium. I'm excited for you; hatchling's are a lot of fun watching them grow and learn.

 

[Shelli]

Yes like harris said, I would put a 3-4 inch rim of ? around the outside, we used plastic dollar store place mat's around our old torts' enclosure just cut, taped them to size so they were waterproof...
The reason for this is if your tort can see out it will probably always want to get out and spend it's whole time looking out and trying to climb the glass... this way if he can't see out it will be content with it's enclosure...
Also I agree with leave him alone I think it's the very best thing you can do but that doesnt' stop you looking and giving the odd head pat... lol...

 

[ticothetort2]

Thanks so far everybody for the tips! My wife and I are really excited to finally be getting a tort, we've wanted one for quite some time.

I put up a border around the enclosure that should be good.

I have had the lighting set up for 2 days now and they are as follows:
Hot end 85-90
Basking spot around 103
Cool end 77-80
Night temp 80

My humidity has been staying between 60-70, but I am going to be placing some glass over half the container. Hopefully that will bring the humidity up.