Trouble keeping humidity at right percent

[Hoseman441]

I keep the cage substrate pretty moist and it still only gets around 50-60 percent . Any suggestings ?

 

[ascott]

Hmmmm....do you have most of the top of the tank covered to keep in humidity and heat?

 

[wellington]

DITTO with ascott

 

[steven]

I agree with both, a lid will help significantly, and also having a water bowl helps a little and is good for them to drink also!

 

[EKLC]

live plants help. Whats the humidity where your tort is actually hiding? you dont need the whole place to be a swamp. 50-60 isn't bad if he has some nice humid spots.

 

[Moose]

As a rookie I am asking the question: What is the ideal humidity range for an outdoor house / enclosure for an adult Sulcata? I keep the temperature between 60-80 range based upon the days temperature and time.

 

[Arizona Sulcata]

As a rookie I am asking the question: What is the ideal humidity range for an outdoor house / enclosure for an adult Sulcata? I keep the temperature between 60-80 range based upon the days temperature and time.

Humidity for adults isn't as important as the young ones because they drink water more than in the little ones case the absorb it. Just have a place where the adults can wallow and that is sufficient.

 

[Moose]

Thank you Arizona... As a new father and owner of a Sulcata I find myself losing sleep over what others might think of little importance... Thanks again for your response and others that will follow in the future.

 

[EKLC]

surface area to volume ratio probably plays a role too. small torts have a larger surface area relative to their volume, hence they dry out more easily. Keeping the humidity up decreases their water loss

 

[bfmorris]

Just a word here, with hatchlings and small sizes I'd be concerned about potential eye infections in conditions where moisture is persistently trapped by impermeable enclosure lids. Years ago I experienced eye infection problems in overly moist conditions without a lid over the enclosures, even.

What works for me many years is a deep substrate of grass hay, at least three or four inches thick after compression. The tortoises burrow under this to escape the heat of the day and to sleep at night, in their own little micro hide area. Humidity ranges 30 to 40 percent up on top.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

As a rookie I am asking the question: What is the ideal humidity range for an outdoor house / enclosure for an adult Sulcata? I keep the temperature between 60-80 range based upon the days temperature and time.

Humidity for adults isn't as important as the young ones because they drink water more than in the little ones case the absorb it. Just have a place where the adults can wallow and that is sufficient.