How to Keep a Tortoise Cage Humidified

Because land tortoises need a large indoor or outdoor cage or pen rather than a tank, maintaining the correct humidity is not as straightforward as it is for smaller reptiles. You can̵7;t do much to alter the humidity in an outdoor pen, apart from providing vegetation and plenty of water. However, it is possible to raise the humidity of an indoor enclosure.

Things You'll Need

  • Hygrometer
  • Shallow bowls
  • Plant mister
  • Live plants
  • Large plastic box
  • Knife or scissors
  • Sphagnum moss
  • Room humidifier
  • Care guide for the species
  • Buckets
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Instructions

    • 1

      Monitor the humidity levels in the pen with a hygrometer. If levels are not within the range recommended for the species, take steps to increase the moisture levels in the atmosphere.

    • 2

      Position several wide, shallow bowls of water in the pen, in addition to the tortoise̵7;s water bowl. As water evaporates from the bowls, it raises the humidity.

    • 3

      Mist the air in the pen, and the room containing the pen, to increase humidity. Use spring or dechlorinated water in the plant mister.

    • 4

      Introduce tortoise-safe plants to the enclosure. Hibiscus and dandelions, for example, are fast growing and resilient, but non-toxic to tortoises. Both the plants and their soil contribute moisture to the atmosphere.

    • 5

      Cut a hole big enough for a tortoise to crawl through easily in the bottom of one side of a large plastic box, such as a storage box. Lay a couple of inches of damp sphagnum moss in the box and replace the lid. Place the box in the tortoise cage. If the tortoise feels too dry, it can enter the box, where the air should be damp.

    • 6

      Install a room humidifier in the room containing the tortoise enclosure if the humidity is still not high enough. Position the humidifier near the enclosure and adjust until it you achieve the right humidity. Clean the humidifier regularly to stop mold from forming in the water pans.