Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have two hermans hatchlings and was wondering how I can provide a moist hide for them, is it even required? I soak them everyday and so far has been misting their enclosure. Any pics would be great, Thanks, Dave.

I am not keeping Hermans, but redfoots, but moist hides are easy to make for any species:
depending on the size of animals you can take a flowerpot of appropriate size, cut it in half, or actually one third / two thirds, and use the larger part, or use a Tupperware or margarine container of an appropriate size, with a 'door' cut out.
Then fill with moist spaghnum moss, that you can buy at the petstore or garden center. Your torts will love to dig into the moss and will stay properly hydrated.
If you want to give them the chance to stay hydrated and choose a convenient temperature, you could make 2 or 3 moist hides and place them in the different temperature zones of your enclosure.
Good luck,
Gaby

Here's one I created for 6 - 10" cherryheads. It's simply a right-sized rubbermaid, upside-down. From there, you can make it more complex if you like - add a heat panel to the roof, add a floor, insulate it. The list goes on.

Humid hides are rather simple and you can size them for whatever age/size tort. The pictured setup has a heat panel staple gun'd to the roof. The total cost is about 30$. Without the heat, $5 at Walmart/Target.

Paul

I don't know what type of hermanns you have but my Hermanns are forest and grassland types and do not want or require moisture in their habitat.
They are dry land creatures and do not need mold or lung problems.
I beleive you should check with Ed on this board, he knows as much as any breeder.
terry

http://www.lllreptile.com/v2/content/info/care/care-sheets/turtles-and-tortoises/hermanns-tortoise.txt

All the care sheets say low humidity!

Terry, I think you might be misunderstanding the point.
While many of these tortoises do require it dry (Desert, Sulcata, Stars, Egyptians... Hermans) it has become very evident to many keepers that the benefit of a humid hide is great. Some believe that this, in addition to a varied diet, is one of the strongest factors in reducing or preventing pyramiding regardless of protein intake (again, within reason).
When a moist hide is suggested, it does not imply you keep a desert species as you would a forest species but to give the animal a choice as to if it wants/needs the humid area or not.
I've had well known herp vets disagree with this and can't understand the rational of such thought.
These animals cannot survive without 2 things... Heat to allow for the metabolism to work and hydration for the same reason. If you don't have the proper amount of either it does not matter how much nutrition you provide... it will not be processed.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I understand these new points now. Thanks,
Terry

It's also important to understand that many reptiles that live in arid habitats spend much of the hotter months in underground burrows, where the temperatures are cooler and the humidity is higher than at ground level. So a humid hide isn't actually far-fetched at all. Leopard geckos, for instance, are arid species, but a humid hide is generally recommended for them.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
0.0.1 Marginated Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

I agree with Terry. I have heard that a moist enclosure is a no no for Herman Torts. I wouldn't do it. I would try and keep it as dry as possible so no lung infections start.
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
4 Finches
1 Betta

Remember a moist hide is not the same as a moist enclosure. Hermann's should generally be kept dry, but many keepers provide a moist hide or two (usually on the warmer side) to give them an option. I've noticed that when mine is outside, rather than napping under a bush, he burrows under the cork bark pieces I have in his pen, and it's definitely cooler and damper under there.

Also, people don't always realize how drying heat lamps can be. I don't see anything wrong with offering them the choice of a humid hide. They won't use it if they don't want to.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
0.0.1 Marginated Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

It looks like you also missed the point. No one is suggesting keeping them in a moist/humid habitat.
The suggestion is to provide a small retreat that is humid and be sure it is a warm humid. And as with any suggestion... you can take it or leave it but I do hope you'll share the results after a year.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I can't agree with EJ more!! Nobody is saying to keep your tortoises in a wet and damp enclosure! The idea is to offer a area that is more humid than other parts of the enclosure. I offer this to all my tortoises and sometimes they use it and sometimes they don't. I will say I also provide lots of heat and soak my guys everyday or two. Take a look at this guy and judge yourself.
CW

I hardly ever post but I had to comment ....Nice Pic!

For anyone new here I must say that EJ is the daddy of tort keepers. I have had my little guy for about 6 months and would like to think a great deal of it had to do with EJ. He gives some great advice and would never want to see harm done to any tort.

The Humid box is something that I spoke with EJ a few months ago ( GREAT PLANS btw! )

With the people saying "what are you thinking giving humidty to a hermans" my reply would be, why not give a choice? If the tort does not go into the hide, no harm no foul, if he does go in he will be able to find his way back out if he doesnt like it. Then you can monitor how much he enters it and see if it is something you should keep after several months.

rattay, you said soething about a heater for your hide from walmart, what did you use from there to heat it?

Shion

I want a group of those.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Hi ED , I really like the idea of a hide for my little guy
but the only thing that is worrying me is the he might climb
on it as taller than his rocks and tip himself up !! not seen
him upside down jet but it is worrying me ? any ideas ?
maybe i'm a little paranoid ?

sara & Turbo x x

unless he gets trapped on its' back under a light or heat source you have nothing to worry about. It will be able to right itself if it has a substrate it can get a grip on.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Thanks once again Ed , I'll sort him out a hide
I can just tell he is gonna love it

Sara & Turbo