Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In reading some of the last few posts regarding humidity and rearing of tortoises. It seems some people are clearly missing the point. The idea, which I happen to subscribe to, is to provide a wide range of microclimates. Most areas of the enclosure should be dry. In fact I use timothy hay and alfalfa hay chopped up. Then a smaller area of the enclosure should provide a more humid spot such as a plastic shoe box with sand or peat moss as a substrate. You must also provide plenty of heat via a UV heat bulb or something similar. Given proper heat,diet,and various levels of humidity I know you can raise various hatchling tortoises with smooth natural growth.
CW

seems like everybody/anybody can raise hatchlings with smooth natural
growth. How about something beyond that? Sure I've seen them,
just rarely. How can you "realistically" provide this type of
microclimate variety in the real world with very large tortoise,
and yes of course in non-perfect climates. Not as simple as
raising palm-sized animals indoors.

How can you "realistically" provide this type of
microclimate variety in the real world with very large tortoise,
and yes of course in non-perfect climates. Not as simple as
raising palm-sized animals indoors

The answer is simple. Very large tortoises require very large enclosures.
For example, If you provide an adult Sulcatta with a room sized enclosure it would be quite easy to fit a large doghouse in the corner which could be used as the microclimate.
Unfortunately far to many people buy these animals without realizing the commitment, expense or overall space that these animals will eventually require.
To sum it up, If your enclosure is too small to allow for the use of a microclimate then your enclosure is too small for the tortoise itself.
Thaks for listening
Jackie Lapradd

go on about that idea. If I put a large doghouse in his
enclosure (which is just a tad over the size of a 20 gallon long),
what would I put in it? Would this be a "cool" area with moist
substrate? Such as what? What if he doesn't utilize it at
all on his own? What's the difference between that and having
the option of going outdoors even if it's raining because he
always has his basking area available 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
If I put a doghouse in there I'd have to secure it firmly as
he would shove it all over and the lighting system would have
to be protected from that. Do you have any pics. of some
set-up like that? Do you have any adult sulcatas kept like
that? I'm not familiar with the animals you have, it's tough
keeping names straight on a forum. I agree that most people
have no idea what they're getting into with sulcatas, but
mine is fairly well taken care of, having his own building
to live in which would rival 30% of people's private dwellings
in this town. I'm open to suggestions to improve his living
conditions, but I'm not going to install a "damp hole" into
his cottage unless there are plenty of examples of it working
for adult sulcatas that are healthy. niki & teddy (51#)

go on about that idea. If I put a large doghouse in his
enclosure (which is just a tad over the size of a 20 gallon long), what would I put in it?

DAMP MULCH OR MOSS

What if he doesn't utilize it at all on his own?

AT LEAST IT WOULD HAVE THE OPTION

If I put a doghouse in there I'd have to secure it firmly as
he would shove it all over and the lighting system would have
to be protected from that.

THIS IS NOT A ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT TASK. SIMPLY USE LAG BOLTS TO ATTACH IT TO THE FLOOR OF YOUR COTTAGE.

Do you have any pics. of some set-up like that?

I DO NOT HAVE ANY PICTURES

Do you have any adult sulcatas kept like that?

I CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE ANY SULCATTA'S

I'm not familiar with the animals you have, it's tough
keeping names straight on a forum.

I CURRENTLY WORK WITH G.ELEGANS AND G. PLATYNOTA ONLY

I agree that most people
have no idea what they're getting into with sulcatas, but
mine is fairly well taken care of, having his own building
to live in which would rival 30% of people's private dwellings
in this town.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE TAKEN THE RIGHT STEPS TO ENSURE YOUR TORTOISE HAS A NICE HOME

I'm open to suggestions to improve his living
conditions, but I'm not going to install a "damp hole" into
his cottage unless there are plenty of examples of it working
for adult sulcatas that are healthy. niki & teddy (51#)

THE PROOF IS THERE. BOTH ED AND RICHARD FIFE CAN ATTEST TO THE BENEFITS OF UTILIZING A MICROHABITAT WITHIN THE ENCLOSURE.
Best of luck
JACKIE LAPRADD

First let me say that I rarely see tortoises that don't show some signs of pyramiding. In fact when I first began working with tortoises most of my hatchlings developed slight pyramding. After the idea of a moisture chamber was explained to me by Richard I tried it out. Low and behold every hatchling I've raised since has had smooth natural growth. As a matter of fact it is very difficult to even see the new growth lines. For those out their that doubt the succes of this idea, take a look at the kingsnake classified section. Richard posted a picture of one of his 10 inch Ivory's and it looks like it came from the wild. Lastly I believe that most pyramiding in tortoises occurs in the first few years and if more people would focus on the basic cage setup we'd very little to no pyramding.
CW