Coir Humid hide - how moist?

[markbigears]

Hi all, today I made a humid hide for Munster using a dish of coir under one of his hubbahuts, it's a couple of inches deep, so a nice depth for him to dig down.
One question I have is, do you have it ever so slightly moist or should the top be fully dry at bedtime. I'm just worried he will catch a cold / shell rot. He's sleeping in there tonight but hasn't dug down, just asleep on the top, little monkey. Mark

[CherryBrandy]

I don't use humid hides but do spray up to 65% humidity on top. sometimes 70 % in summer, I aim for a dry out throughout the day, so come evening it is all nice and warm and dry, (just cause temps drop at night) , but other TK on here may know better. CB

[Jan W]

Sorry can't help on this one as I have never used anything moist as everything I read had said damp is not good for their shells. So have only bathed them and dried thoroughly!

As well as Mark's question can someone please advise on humidity checks. Is this just for young ones? If not I am assuming I will need to buy equipment?

Thank you

[CherryBrandy]

Originally Posted by Jan W

Sorry can't help on this one as I have never used anything moist as everything I read had said damp is not good for their shells. So have only bathed them and dried thoroughly!

As well as Mark's question can someone please advise on humidity checks. Is this just for young ones? If not I am assuming I will need to buy equipment?

Thank you

Jan humid hides are fine dependent on species, hermanns ok, I must admit I wouldn't do it for my Horsfields. It is cold and damp you need to beware of.

There is a line of thought that the right humidity can be a huge factor in creating smooth shells good husbandry and even Egyptian tortoises in the desert have quite a micro climate with high humidity. Mine have around 65 % humidity levels created daily. (higher outside clearly). 40% is borderline - anything below consistently could create a critically dangerous climate for a tortoise longer term. Yes - hygrometer or what is good are combined temp & humidity gauges. - And a sprayer to spray warm or cold water on substrate to bring the humidity up. hope that helps. Im a real humidity freak... CB

[Jan W]

Really helpful thanks CB. As I have Horsfields I feel more relieved. However, out of interest I think I will buy a combined temp and humidity gauge as I planned to buy a new temp gauge so I had a spare one, plus mine is basic and old.

Thanks again
Jan