Hatchling Housing
Here we have an indoor set up for a hatchling that will probably last two years. There are many way to get at this,but hopefully this helps you out with the basics.
Mini-Ecosystems:
I like to make a warm humid area which you can see in the plastick box on the left. Inside there I keep long fibered sphagnum moss that I probably wet about once a week. That gives the marginated a nice humid places to sleep and hang out during the day. We know that a humid environment is the best way to ensure a smooth shell.
Above the plastic box you will see a Ceramic heat emitter that is attached to a thermostat. That thermostat keeps the humid hide above 80 degrees. (Everyone also asks if the plastic box melts. That one hasn't yet, there is about a two inch gap between the box and the Heat Emitter.)
Substrate:
I have used cypress mulch for the floor and below it you will find about an inch of coco coir. Coco coir itself is fine as well as some people just use potting soil. I find the coco coir with cypres mulch on top holds in humidity without getting smelly.
Lighting:
In this set up I am using a Mercury Vapor bulb which provides UVA, UVB and Heat. I keep that on a timer that gives the Hatchling 12 hours a day. This gives the marginated a place to bask also. I do not want his basking spot to get to above 95 degrees. This also let's you know how high you need it to hang. With a powersun bulb it is import to hang vertical so that it is not pointen in any direction.
If I am not worried about heat I will switch to a UVB Lamp that doesnt produce heat. Such as the Zilla Reptile fixture.
Water Bowl:
I keep a saucer of water in the enclosure that I hardly ever see the tortoise go to drink. That being said with hatchling I will also soak them in about an inch to two inches of warm for 15 minutes of water 3-5 times a a week outside the enclosure. They will both drink usually pee and poop. (Dont worry the pee is supposed to look like white glue.)
Feeding:
I use a simple flat rock to feed on. This is easy to clean off as well as will help file down their beaks as they get older.
Other tools I use:
Lamp Brackets to hold the lamps.
Thermometer Gun
(You could go without the thermostat and timer, but then would need to constantly check this for temps and times. My way is automated.)
Some people will do this same setup with a large rubbermaid crate instead of an aquarium. Some will make a tortoise box which is basically a small book case on its back. However you do it make sure you have a humid area for that tortoise to grow up smooth and happy.
Outdoor setup
Your marginated tortoise is small for the first two years. If you are going to set up an outdoor enclosure make sure it is safe and secure. These little tortoises can squeeze through smaller cracks then you would think. Also remember make sure they have a humid hide, water available and plant cover to hide under.
The outdoor sun is great for their growth and development but being so small they can easily be picked up by dogs, cats or other backyard animals. I typically do not let my tortoises out 24/7 until they are 1.5 years old.
Outdoor pictures coming soon
Mini-Ecosystems:
I like to make a warm humid area which you can see in the plastick box on the left. Inside there I keep long fibered sphagnum moss that I probably wet about once a week. That gives the marginated a nice humid places to sleep and hang out during the day. We know that a humid environment is the best way to ensure a smooth shell.
Above the plastic box you will see a Ceramic heat emitter that is attached to a thermostat. That thermostat keeps the humid hide above 80 degrees. (Everyone also asks if the plastic box melts. That one hasn't yet, there is about a two inch gap between the box and the Heat Emitter.)
Substrate:
I have used cypress mulch for the floor and below it you will find about an inch of coco coir. Coco coir itself is fine as well as some people just use potting soil. I find the coco coir with cypres mulch on top holds in humidity without getting smelly.
Lighting:
In this set up I am using a Mercury Vapor bulb which provides UVA, UVB and Heat. I keep that on a timer that gives the Hatchling 12 hours a day. This gives the marginated a place to bask also. I do not want his basking spot to get to above 95 degrees. This also let's you know how high you need it to hang. With a powersun bulb it is import to hang vertical so that it is not pointen in any direction.
If I am not worried about heat I will switch to a UVB Lamp that doesnt produce heat. Such as the Zilla Reptile fixture.
Water Bowl:
I keep a saucer of water in the enclosure that I hardly ever see the tortoise go to drink. That being said with hatchling I will also soak them in about an inch to two inches of warm for 15 minutes of water 3-5 times a a week outside the enclosure. They will both drink usually pee and poop. (Dont worry the pee is supposed to look like white glue.)
Feeding:
I use a simple flat rock to feed on. This is easy to clean off as well as will help file down their beaks as they get older.
Other tools I use:
Lamp Brackets to hold the lamps.
Thermometer Gun
(You could go without the thermostat and timer, but then would need to constantly check this for temps and times. My way is automated.)
Some people will do this same setup with a large rubbermaid crate instead of an aquarium. Some will make a tortoise box which is basically a small book case on its back. However you do it make sure you have a humid area for that tortoise to grow up smooth and happy.
Outdoor setup
Your marginated tortoise is small for the first two years. If you are going to set up an outdoor enclosure make sure it is safe and secure. These little tortoises can squeeze through smaller cracks then you would think. Also remember make sure they have a humid hide, water available and plant cover to hide under.
The outdoor sun is great for their growth and development but being so small they can easily be picked up by dogs, cats or other backyard animals. I typically do not let my tortoises out 24/7 until they are 1.5 years old.
Outdoor pictures coming soon