Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted below about my star's eye (its only one of them not 2) and it appears slightly runny, but i dip it every morning and evening and it keeps it open. I think im going to buy some over the counter eye drops and try it from there.

My concern is with humidity. They dont have any normal signs of respiratory infections: no runny nose, no sneezing, no labor breathing, they still have a voracious diet etc etc. Although when i do pick them up both have a "hiss." Breathe really fast out of yer nose and thats exactly how it sounds. but that ONLY happens when i pick them up and only when i first grab them. Ive heard that they like it dry so i set up my apartment to accomidate them, but my ambient humidity is around 40-50%. it fluctuates from 37-50 percent daily. Its this too humid?

...i.e: heating, substrates, diet ...

well the basking area tops off around 93-95 F. The cool area is only about 80 F. At night temps drop as low as 75 F. I am using rabbit pellets as bedding. I've been providing a diet of primarily "yard greens" but i toss shredded carrots and other "healthy" vegeterian lizard greens in much lesser amounts. I have high output UVB bulbs brand new mounted near the basking area with nothing between this bulb and the tortoises. starting last night the humidity has fluctuated between 37 and 54%. When u mentioned benefits of a humid hiding place what should I do to elevate humidity? Typically for herps id use wet moss and such but im afraid these guy would eat it! where did u find that stars prefer humid environments? i'm not doubting you, but everything ive read said that most people have them too humid and health problems arise from this, but ive never found exactly what too humid means as far as %.

I didnt think the hiss was a big deal, but the one still has a screwy eye. I think ima feed some more carrots to get some vitamin A into him. should i consider and over the counter turtle eye clenser?
Thanks

By definition a xeric habitat (where the Star Tortoise is reported to come from) is a biome characterized by extremes. High and low temperature swings accompanied by wet and dry seasons.

The Star tortoise is found in heavily vegetated areas which include cultivated fields. It is also most active during the rainy season and is most scarce during the dry season. When it is active in the dry season it is during the early morning and late in the day.

Now the way I interpret this is that it shows a preference for a more humid condition in a relatively dry environment. This does not mean you keep them humid. They’ve adapted to survive in a dry environment by seeking out humid niches which I think should be provided. This is what I always recommend for all desert/xeric species. These conditions are usually not provided for such species.

I feed my guys broad leafy greens, grasses and Mazuri Tortoise diet (2x a week)

They always have water and are soaked every other day.

Hot temps are 100 and cool temps are 70

I keep them on Pine bark mulch with a hay hide at the cool end. The hay is fluffed when it gets compressed.

An easy humid hide is a Rubbermaid box with a hole cut in it and the box substrate being moist sand. Be very careful to keep it 75 or better.

And my references on the natural history info...

The Reptiles of British India, Albert Gunther, Oxford, 1864

The Book of Indian Reptiles, Bombay Natural History Society, 1983

Color Guide to the Turtles and Tortoises of the Indian Subcontinent, Indraneil Das, R & A Publishing, 1991

Turtles and Tortoises of India, WWF (NOT the world wrestling federation), 1995

Fauna of India, Zoological Survey of India, 1998

This is in addition to talking to various collectors/researchers that have found them in the wild.
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Ed
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Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

thanks a ton! my guys cleared up seemingly overnight. guess i stressed over nothing. If i picked up one of those books on these guys which one would u consider the best? most of my info has been completely anecdotal from people that have kept/bred them. whats the ambiant humidity in your cages?

Those books a pretty much collectors items. There is about a paragraph on Stars in each. The oldest has the best account though.

Anecdotal information is going to be your best source. You really need to talk to as many keepers as you can and then you will see patterns develop.

My guys are kept relatively dry but, as I'm trying to get across, they have a choice to maintain good hydration.
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Ed
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Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

..."I am using rabbit pellets as bedding."...

(this topic has been on here a few times before) it needs to be replaced often but can get moldy and dusty which might cause your bambino aaacchhooo... switch to other substrate and see for yourself

While the general conditions should be dry it has been proven time and again that a warm humid hide is extremely beneficial for all tortoises regardless if they are reported to come from a dry area or not.

If you do a little research you will find that Stars actually prefer a humid area over a dry area if they are given a choice. The key is to give them a choice.

You do have to be careful this time of year because you do not want cool and damp.

Stars and other 'shy' tortoises make this hissing sound when they do as you described. That is just them pulling into the shell so rapidly that it expells the air rapidly that the limbs and head displace.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care