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Baby Elongated Tortoise enclosure

reptileszz Aug 19, 2013 05:12 PM

Hi all, (AMAZOA!)

I am setting up a new indoor enclosure for two baby elongateds and would like some advice. It seems they hide a lot and dont like bright light? I have a photo at http://instagram.com/p/dNj_vcRtzb/ of the enclosure as it stands now. I got home from FL at noon and have been working on setting up the two elongateds, a new cornsnake and 2 frogs since. This is as far as I have gotten on the elongateds.

My main question is, is that too much of a uv tube for them. Is it too bright? Too long? I need to get some hides. I couldnt fit anything else in my luggage or would have bought some in Daytona. The tortoises are supposed to arrive tomorrow and I want to be ready (fingers crossed they make it ok!)

It is hard to see dimensions on the enclosure but it is 4 feet by 3 feet.

Thanks for any advice!
Carole
Link

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www.reptilecare.com

Replies (12)

amazoa Aug 21, 2013 02:45 PM

Hi Carol,

This small document from the Tortoise Trust might help you some: -My thoughts follow-

. This tortoise typically avoids strong sunlight, and does not normally seem interested in basking facilities (although, given its wide distribution, regional preferences may exist). As in the wild, peak activity is often seen following heavy, warm, summer rain. Daytime environmental temperature should be maintained in the 26 - 30°C region during summer (78 - 86 °F). In winter, daytime temperatures can be reduced to 24 °C (75 °F) . At night, temperatures can be reduced to around 18 °C (65 °F). This tortoise regularly takes snails, slugs and worms in addition to green leafy material, fruit and vegetables. A bathing pool is essential, as Indotestudo elongata is known to drink copiously and likes to sit, half-submerged, for several hours at a time. In the wild, fallen fruits are believed to comprise a high proportion of its diet.

With that said I would probably reduce the length of the Florescent Fixture or use a Clamp on with a 2.0 - 5.0 UV Bulb mounted no closer then 14 inches from the substrate. I would suggest a little overhang that extends 8 inches or so and they can get out of the light if it is too much. Just a couple of bricks with a 1 X 6 on top of them would work. We use ceramic Tiles or plexi-glass to feed them on and a walk in water bowl like I had at the show. A heat mat on medium at night with no lights or you could opt for an appropriate size infra-red bulb so as not to disturb their rest. Good Luck Carol. Oh Yes I posted a picture of the parents to your two elongated babies below. This female often throws babies with reduced black on the carapace. Thanks so much...Richard

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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

reptileszz Aug 22, 2013 05:06 AM

Thanks Richard! This does help and thank you so much for the pics. I think the blonde one I got had these parents but the other one had a black dot on it so I think it came from another pair. I have the paper here. I just have to look at it. I am going to update all my records this weekend when I have time.

I will adjust the enclosure with your suggestions. The light in there doesnt want to come on with the timer anyway LOL. What goes is a timer if I have to twist it every day to come on

Thanks again!
Carole
Elongateds having a soak

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amazoa Aug 22, 2013 10:15 AM

Hi Carole,

Have to say the two babies look great after the shipping home. Here is a pic of the other pair of elongated Tortoises we have. The female is the one that has her head tucked in. Also a pic of their hut prior to them coming out of their hides to eat some grub......later Richard

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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

Reptileszz Aug 23, 2013 08:01 AM

Hi again, I have a radiant heat panel that is not in use at the moment. Could I mount that next to a hide for nighttime heat I wonder? Or would heat from the side be weird? I dont have a heat mat that would be suitable right this second. Not to say I cant get one. the only ones I have are those super flimsy ones you stick on the bottom of a cage. I dont think that would be good under substrate or even on substrate. Let me know what you think of the sideways heat panel things. I have attached a link to what they look like.

Thanks!
Carole

Upon looking at the site maybe I can put the panel right on the substrate...
Pro products heat panel

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www.reptilecare.com

Reptileszz Aug 23, 2013 09:34 AM

OK, replying to my own message. Here is what I have come up with so far. Took down the 3 foot light and added the 18" Reptisun 10.0 on the right along with fairly weak basking light as it is 80 degrees in the room. Moved the wood around to accommodate that radiant heat panel (which is a helix one circa 2005 never used, not the pro products one. Sorry about that.

What do we think about this?

Thanks,
Carole

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amazoa Aug 23, 2013 01:10 PM

The habitat looks great. Carole I personally would not use a 10.0 bulb. That much UV can be harmful to young tortoises eyes. I'm sure you can get one in the 2.0-5.0 range. The bulbs usually have a chart on the paperwork that gives you an idea on what height to mount them.

Night heat may not be much of an issue until winter as they can have it dip into the mid 60 with no problem at night.----Richard

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Richard -amazoa-

"Changes in behavior occur when the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change."

Reptileszz Aug 27, 2013 04:30 AM

Hi again, what if I switch out the new 10.0 with an old one that has been in use for awhile. I have a few of them laying around that I am not sure what to do with. They break down pretty quickly so would think they would be like a 2.0 or 5.0. Somewhere around here I have a uv meter...

Thanks!
Carole

PS I got rid of the radiant heat panel as it doesnt seem necessary and they were never under it (too hot methinks)
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EJ Aug 25, 2013 05:10 PM

Did you get them from Matt Jablonski(sp?)... he's the guy to talk to.

That's a good start for an enclosure.

>>Hi all, (AMAZOA!)
>>
>>I am setting up a new indoor enclosure for two baby elongateds and would like some advice. It seems they hide a lot and dont like bright light? I have a photo at http://instagram.com/p/dNj_vcRtzb/ of the enclosure as it stands now. I got home from FL at noon and have been working on setting up the two elongateds, a new cornsnake and 2 frogs since. This is as far as I have gotten on the elongateds.
>>
>>My main question is, is that too much of a uv tube for them. Is it too bright? Too long? I need to get some hides. I couldnt fit anything else in my luggage or would have bought some in Daytona. The tortoises are supposed to arrive tomorrow and I want to be ready (fingers crossed they make it ok!)
>>
>>It is hard to see dimensions on the enclosure but it is 4 feet by 3 feet.
>>
>>Thanks for any advice!
>>Carole
>>Link
>>
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>>www.reptilecare.com
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Reptileszz Aug 27, 2013 04:28 AM

Hi Ed, I got them from Amazoa actually. He had some very light colored ones that are gorgeous. I think Matt had a couple of them at Daytona but I had already fallen in love with one of the little blonde ones at Richard's table Love Matt tho and got one of my Pancakes and Redfoots from him over the past couple of years.

As for the enclosure I got rid of the radiant heat panel as it just isnt necessary with my nighttime temps, even in the winter. The tortoises are finally going out to bask a little on the fringe of the heat light. I need to get one that is more focused I think. They are eating and doing well.

Thanks!
Carole
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emysbreeder Aug 31, 2013 07:44 PM

They just looked good next to the plane black torts. next to Amazoan. You should have all the shinny spotted rainbow torts. by now,so maybe next year you'll get one from the old guy with the plane old black torts.he brings year after year. Vic

Reptileszz Sep 01, 2013 07:16 AM

Hey, I have a burmese brown already and the blacks just get wayyyyy too big. But I love them and love looking at all the little ones you bring!!!

Carole
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emysbreeder Sep 02, 2013 11:20 PM

Yep,they get big. I give them 2-6000 sf.ft.per pair. Some enclosures are heavly grown up with palms Oaks and other bushes and plants. The oaks are very tall and make the upper leavel of the cantapy. Sometimes it takes a while to find them. Or you find something else! Maybe next year you can come by and see them in my little Thailand. I have other enclosures more Human friendly with no tree limbs to slap you in the face. Next year Vic

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