Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My baby greeks are abour 2 inches long. They are indoors in a turtle table. They are eating and drinking great. My question is do they usually sleep all day I feed and water them in the morning and they go back in there hide to sleep and do not come back out until the evening . I s this normal ? And will they become more active as they get older ? I believe they are about 8 months old.
Humidity?
How much humidity do med's need and how and where should I provide that for them?
Thanks

The behavior you describe, a.m. and late p.m., that would be normal for my ibera type Greeks. They will be more "outgoing" as they mature, they are sometimes "shy" as neonates. They spend a huge amount of time hiding,basking, digesting, feeding.

Humidity is important topic, and sometimes controversial. Try to give them multiple shelters, some with a damp sponge inside,others dry. Ed Pirog says to glue a sponge on the "ceiling' of shelter, and keep it damp. Let them choose, but provide damp and dry shelters in both the warm and cool areas of pen. Give them choices i.e. warm and cool, damp and dry, light and dark, ying/yang! etc. Many sharp breeders and keepers (i.e. R.Fife) think humidity is a major factor in preventing pyramiding of shell, I concur. Good luck with your little guys. Vic

Thx for the info vic . I want to be sure that these guys are raised and develope properly. I seem to be getting mixed info about vitamins also .
My first question is are herptavite and the phosphorus free calcium powder by rep cal of for vitamins?
Also how often and how much should I be supplementing them with the multi vit. and the calcium?
I haven't been able to find any answer to this one.
The other day I was soaking them and one of them went to the bathroom well it took him an effort to get it out but when he did it was white all white? Is this extra calcium and is that ok?
Thank you for your time
Cassie

Dear Cassie, different things work for different keepers/animals. I think people are overly concerned with Vitamins, so I use them conservatively. Dosage is largely guess work, and over doing it can be toxic. Better to offer a varied and complete diet, Hi Calcium low Phosphorus, high fiber, low average protein and provide lots of Calcium. I use it frequently, sprinkling it on the food a few times a week, and providing cuttle bone and egg shells and piles of oyster shell that the herd frequently eats. Don't confuse Calcium with Vitamins, Calcium is essential, Vitamins may or may not be depending on diet you provide. This is a complex topic, suggest you read the best info. on it you can find. I consult A. Highfield, and the CTTC for diet info. I find it helpful and I have had good success with healthy breeders I raised from hatchlings. The white stuff is probably urates, not normally a problem in my experience. If excessive it may indicate a diet problem, but I have little experience so reserve comment.
Controversial with some, I have had good success feeding Mazuri to supplement a varied diet of fresh greens,cacti, grasses, weeds that I grow, etc. This provides some Vitamins I am sure.