Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I currently have a Spurred thigh that I have had for 4 years, so I am not a total newbie. I am thinking of getting another tortoise and am considering a Star or Leopard. Could you guys give me a brief description of their personalities?

Easy description...pretty rocks.

If you want another tort with personality to match or exceed your Sulcatta look at acclimated Russian's or CB Refoot's.

Ernie

I keep star, leopard and cherryhead torts, leopards are definitely more personable than the stars. Stars tend to be more shy, leopards are more outgoing but cherryheards or redfoots are even more personable. With cherryheads & redfoots you do need to keep them in high humidity.

I really don't think you 'have to' keep Redfoots in high humidity. You have to consider the range of the RF and then you might realize that they occur in some pretty dry habitats. It's just that this point seems to keep popping up and it does not seem to be true.
-----
Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Ed,

What percentage of humidity do you recommend for redfoots? I keep my cherryheads in my chameleon room since the humidity in that room stays around 65%, too much? not enough? I was told that's probably not enough, they should be kept at minimum 85% humidity.

Also if I remember correctly, I think you mentioned that torts don't necessarily need UVB lighting, with that said I know it's beneficial to have UVB but you don't "have to" is that right? If I keep my torts (leopards, stars & cherryheads) outdoor during most of the summer (about 5 months) is it okay for them not to have artificial UVB during the colder months? They are all under UVB now but want to hear your comments.

Thanks,
C

If you can provide the humidity for RFs, that's great but if you can't or are willing to only provide a humid hide, that can work just as well. What do they 'need'... I don't know. Some do well if kept bone dry. I've got a small group of 'normal' RFs that I've been keeping fairly dry. I thought I would have a severe pyramiding problem. That is not the case. These are growing pretty nicely... not perfect but nice.
My Cherryheads are kept outdoors and are sprayed down daily and the inside of their hide is sprayed down daily also. I'm guessing the humidity in their hide is pretty high but it's not something I try to control.
I've never really measured the humidity levels in either my outdoor enclosure or indoor. I can't understand how or why someone would want to micro manage the environment like that unless that is part of the fun for that person who is keeping that pet.
My rule is to let the animals tell me what they 'need'. If they are not actively feeding and running about I look for something wrong.
The same thing with the UV. It is probably easier and safer to provide UV but in many cases it is obviously not a necessity.
Does that make sense?
-----
Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Ed,

LOL....makes lots of sense to me. My cherryheads when kept outdoor has a misting system that puts out a fine mist for 60 seconds every 2 hours. When being kept indoor I spray down the enclosure 2-3 times a day. Like I said I keep them in the same room as my chameleons that require high humidity but I just couldn't get the humidity any higher than the 65%ish and the cherryheads seem to do just fine so are the chams. They are active and eat well. Thanks for your input.

C

Chams are a hell of alot more prone to dehydration than any tortoise I know so if the lizards are doing well I would think the tortoises would do just fine in the available humidity.
-----
Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

i don't have one but i hear that the radiated tortoises seem to be very personable and breed readily very expensive though

they are very hardy, too... one of the best but you need a permit for now, there are quite a few of them around captive hatch so don't loose your hope...perhaps one day in the near future they will be lifted out of freedom from CITES just like the American eagle... better still; homewardboundAFRICAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!! where they belongs...