Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been reading up on torts in general and Hermann's in particular for about 6 months. I'll be getting my hatchling in about 3 weeks, so it's time to get down to business! I still have some specific questions that I was hoping some of you could help me with:

1) Is aspen a suitable substrate for hatchlings? I use it for my snakes, and I like it because it's easy to clean and also easy for them to burrow in (and readily available in my area).

2) How often is it necessary to completely clean and disinfect an enclosure? I'm assuming daily spot cleaning, of course. I have a cleaning schedule for my snakes, but their fecal output (ick) must be much less than a tort's.

3) Is daily feeding required for a hatchling, or is it too much? I want to make sure I keep growth at a reasonable rate, but of course I don't want to starve the little guy.

4) I've read that the temps. should be 80-85 in the basking area and 70-75 in the cool area, with a night drop to a low as 65. Is this correct? Where do I measure the basking area temps., at the substrate level or a few inches higher (air temp?)?

5) How much shade should I provide outside, and if the air temp is over a certain degree, should I provide complete shade? I understand that they still get UVB rays on cloudy days, but is this true for shade, also? We can get quite hot here, and I want to err on the side of caution.

6) UVHeat bulbs v. Reptisun? What do you all use? I know from the archives that Niki and EJ like the UVHeat, but I was wondering if they are still having problems with the bulbs going out prematurely. Is there any difference in brands?

7) Is there any way to safely remove possible pesticide residue from weeds/plants? I will be growing some of my own weeds, but what about store-bought produce? I also have access to tons of grape leaves (wine country, lol), but in all likelihood they are sprayed--better to just skip them?

I think that's all the questions I have...for now. I'm really sorry for the length of this post! I appreciate any and all answers I receive--thank you so much!

Jeannie

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Adam - 0.0 African Sidenecked, 0.1 Redfoot, 0.1 Sulcatta, 1.0 Western Hognose, 1.0 Crested Gecko, 0.1 Mali Uromastyx

more readily available and I've had to have the Active UV replaced (and it wasn't done in a timely fashion). Looks like 6 of one, half dozen of the other.

1) You can get away with the aspen bedding if the little guy does not eat it. I use sand, pinebark mulch, carpeting and bermuda hay... never had a problem. If I could find Aspen bedding I might try it. I did use it for years with snakes and lizards (when I didn't live in CA)

2)I change the substrate every so often and that is it. Unless you are a major neat freak I think that's enough.

3)I feed every 2 or 3 days and don't think much about it. On occasion I will feed daily. I the wild they do feed daily but there is a seasonality to food availability.

4)I recomend a basking temp of at least 95 to 100 with the opportunity to get to an area of 75 to 80 and at night don't worry about the temperature drop. Just don't let it get below 75.

5)I wouldn't recomend putting them out if it is too hot. I use a flat piece of plywood when I do put little ones out.

6)Active UV Bulbs for sure... I've got 3 out of 5 originals (> 4 years now) and the other 2 lasted me at least 2 years but I've heard some folks complain that they didn't have the luck. I think its worth it because those others really don't compare.

7)I'd skip the grape leaves. I figure if it is grown for a store it's safe. Especially if you live in CA.
Your only other choice is to grow your own food on virgin soil and use fresh rain (nope... can't use the rain)(acid, you know?)
Ed