I have kept both species and it's my opinion that either speceis would work well for your situation. I would suggest getting cb hatchlings and if you are looking for a Star, I have a breeder/friend I can refer you to. He should be getting some hatchlings soon. I have one of his and I'm really enjoying it. As far as the water/humidity issue, I'm from the camp that does not keep water in the habitat with tortoise in both of these dry-loving species. Instead, I soak the tortoise every other day and have found that stars drink but pancakes do not. Both species deficate and urinate when soaked in water which is a worthwhile reason to soak in itself. I found my pancakes got their hydration from their food and my hatchling star will drink on a regular basis when I soak it. In my opinion that only drinking dish that I have seen that works without presenting a drowning risk, is a 2-liter bottle cap recessed into the substrate. The drinking hole is smaller that the hatchling and if you really want to have water in the habitat, I think that would be a good way to do it. My star hatchling is in a 10 gallon tank with one light and a strictly organic soil substrate. He has done great and has been kept this way since the start. Both species like it nice and dry! With pancakes, I had a lot more fun construcitng their habitat. I used thin flagstone to create the niches and hide spots they love. Once a month I would take the flagstone out and scrub it down to get any urine or feces off.



All that to say, I would get a star and soak it every day at first and then as it gets older, soak it every other day. E-mail me at adrianse@sbcglobal.net for that refferal if you want it.



Tortuga

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