Hatchling growth and predation.

[pagan queen]

I'm not saying we shouldn't have humidity, I'm just trying to understand the mechanism whereby it helps with smooth shell growth. Playing devils advocate really, to help myself and others make sense of it. I understand how the organs stop working if the animal dehydrates thereby stopping the absorption of calcium etc but still can't see how humidity can stop the dehydration. If the animal is well hydrated before lights out then they should, in theory be fine no matter what the humidity is in the enclosure.

[Merlin M]

Oh yes I understand that...

But if you think about it, our skin can dry out, which has nothing to do with sweat as it is excreted through pores, so the skin must be losing its water content.
It seems logical that the same will happen with other animals, tortoises included.
Hatchlings being so small will tolerate moisture loss less, a higher humidity will help prevent the skin losing moisture, but in people make sweating less effective.

[becciwales]

When you say a hatchling doesn't have access to water, the water bowl should be full surely. Mine is at all times, unless he's stomped through it a few times and tipped it. But I fill it a few times a day. Usually because its so muddy.
What is the recommended humidity?
If they feel dehydrated, would they get up in the night to have a drink even if the lamp is off? Is bathing the only way to ensure good hydration? x

[Merlin M]

They should always have access to water, ie have a water bowl. As they usually dig down at night so long as the substrate is damp I would imagine it should be ok, and regular baths through the week and should be just fine... I also give the weeds wet as I give them a rinse with water, helps the limestone flour stick to it but also means they get a little more water if they eat it when its put in!

[becciwales]

Yes I wash and then spray mine when I'm spraying the soil. x

[egyptiandan64]

I mean access at night when they are sleeping. Hatchlings can actually dehydrate in low humidity in just the 8 to 12 hours that they are asleep (not eating or drinking). It's not a lot if it was just one day that it happened, but if it happens every night thats when you get into trouble with the dehydration. It's hard to stay hydrated when you only weigh 15g. The larger you are the less water you would lose over night as a tortoise.

Thats the difference between mammals and reptiles Wendy

Well if you think about it tortoises don't occur in true desert conditions, like some lizards and snakes. They will occur around true desert conditions but just at the edge where they can at least get a higher humidity over night. Most of the tortoise that live in those conditions make or use burrows or pallets which helps with humidity over night when they don't have access to food or water (especially for hatchlings).

Danny

[becciwales]

Originally Posted by becciwales

What is the recommended humidity?

Does anybody know?

[egyptiandan64]

For the sleeping area (for hatchlings) between 50 and 70%.

Danny

[becciwales]

Thank you.

[Ozric Jonathan]

I very much agree about the need for hatchlings and very small tortoises to have quite a lot of humidity at night. In the open, falling temperatures causes moisture to form, but this doesn't happen the same inside our houses.

So I mist the hatchlings and substrate under their covers at night after they have gone to sleep. Then I put the cover back over them (when they are indoors this is).

I think it's important to say if making hatchlings slightly damp at night it is very important to make sure they are not too cold. I think this helps to prevent pyramidying and that it's good for overall health.