Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got my first Indian Star Tortoise hatchling last month and I have an indoor enclosure. I'm having trouble keeping the humid microclimate temperatures in the 80's - it is typically in the high 70's or very low 80's(I have a thermometer probe right in there and I use a temp gun). The ambient temperature in the enclosure is around 84-85 degrees with a concentrated basking spot that's about 95. I have a radiant heat panel connected to a thermostat to keep the ambient temps consistent, and the basking area is a ceramic heat bulb connected to a thermostat. A Reptisun 10.0 tube light runs the length of the enclosure. The humid hide is under the radiant heat panel. I initially had a fairly thick hide log (see photos)over the humid portion of the coconut coir, but I figured that the thickness of the hide might be what's preventing the heat from getting through. Now I changed it to a much thinner plastic hide box (not pictured) but the temps are about the same. I am figuring that high 70's/low 80's are too cool, especially combined with the dampness inside the box. How do you guys keep your humid microclimates in the right temp range? Should I take the hide box off so that the heat panel warms the moistened coconut coir directly, and then just make sure it stays damp? Also, I've noticed that he/she doesn't really go into the humid hide on his/her own. Is that normal or do you think it's because it's too cool?

I have made a few changes to the setup in the last week - I planted some plaintain weeds, timothy grass is sprouting, I added a hide box on the warm side, etc. Are there any other suggestions for making the setup better?

Thank you in advance for your advice.
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Amanda Burke
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Burke Reptiles Website

Did you mention under heat? Try that. I'm not a big fan of heat from above. Way too dehydrating.
Heat tape with thermostat 1/3 to 1/2 the enclosure's footprint.
Probably too airy. Is more enclosure from above possible?
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Thanks for your quick reply. I don't have any heat tape in there. I stayed away from it after I read on the tortoise trust website that dorsal heat should be used exclusively because ventral heat is damaging to the digestive organs. I also thought dorsal heat would most closely approximate natural heat from the sun. Have you ever tried affixing the heat tape to the rear wall of the enclosure? Has it been effective? After reading your post I am considering trying that in the rear of the humid area of my enclosure. I can also try closing up the sides and/or top of the humid side of the enclosure with insulation styrofoam to keep the heat in better if you think the openness of the enclosure is the problem.
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Amanda Burke
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Burke Reptiles Website

I have 6 Sari Lanki stars,that are about 2 years old.In the warm weather they have a outdoor enclosure.In the winter, I have them in a 8'x2'x2' through. I have a heat pad (pig blanket) on one end, lights in the middle, and hide boxes on each end. I use top soil and keep the ends damp. Your hide box, may be too open, and he does not feel secure. I would use something with a smaller entrance. I feed mine mainly Mazuri and greens with calcium in the winter. In the summer, they get mazuri and the grass that grows in their enclosure.They are all perfectly round and healthy.
Good luck, Joe Kahn

I am definitely going to change the hide box around tomorrow and give him/her more spots to burrow under for security throughout the enclosure. Thank you for the feedback!
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Amanda Burke
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Burke Reptiles Website

Hi Amanda,
Glad to see you on the forum. I used to talk to your Dad and you on the boa forum several years ago. A friend of mine got me into the world of tortoises and I have found them to be every bit as exciting as breeding the boas and colubrids. Sounds like your getting the care of the star tortoises down pretty good and this is a great place with knowlegeable keepers....Good Luck Richard Rooker

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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."