It is your responsibility as a tortoise owner to keep your pets healthy. This includes providing a comfortable environment where they can live and grow successfully. This article will cover the best tortoise humidifiers to buy, the benefits of humidifiers, and how to choose a humidifier.
Best Tortoise Humidifiers
The 3 best tortoise humidifiers are the PetsPioneer Reptile Humidifier, the Mist King Misting System, and the Evergreen Reptile Humidifier.
PetsPioneer Reptile Humidifier
This is a humidifier that many reptile owners adore, and it’s easy to see why. The PETSPIONEER Reptile Humidifier has a one-gallon tank, a 12-hour run time, and a 300 ml per hour output. It also allows you to manually adjust the settings to your liking.
You can buy this tortoise humidifier here for around $49.
This humidifier also has an auto shut-off function, is simple to clean and refill, and emits a quiet sound that will not bother your tortoises. The disadvantage is that it is not as compact as other models, but the benefits far outweigh this minor flaw.
Mist King Misting System
The Mist King Misting System combines a powerful sprayer with a mister. It’s high-quality and long-lasting, and it’s also customizable. It is a quiet machine that is adjustable, allowing you to keep the humidity level in your enclosure comfortably. Furthermore, the Mist King Misting System has an upgraded timer and energy efficiency.
The only downside of purchasing this humidifier is that it does not come with a tank and is more expensive.
Evergreen Reptile Humidifier
This humidifier is ideal for tortoises because it provides a consistent misting output. It includes a 300ml per hour output and a two-liter capacity water tank. The Evergreen Reptile Humidifier also has an auto-shutoff system and a dry-run protection feature to ensure the water does not run out, protecting both the tortoise and the humidifier.
This is one of the cheapest humidifiers for tortoises, as it only costs around $40.
One disadvantage is that the water tank is located above the motor, which may cause damage in the event of a spill or leak. Overall, this is another humidifier worth considering!
While many more options are available, we believe that these top three are a good place to start.
Humidity for tortoises
If you own a tortoise, you should know how important humidity is to your reptilian companion. Humidity is the amount of water that can be found in the air. While tortoises do need water, they don’t always absorb water by drinking it. Sometimes, they absorb it through their skin. It’s an instinct because they don’t always have as easy access to water as they do in captivity in their natural wild habitat.
A humidifier is necessary for your tortoise’s hydration, behavior, and shedding.
A tortoise that lives in a habitat with inadequate humidity might develop tortoise shell pyramiding or wheezing. However, if it gets too humid, it might cause mold in your tortoise enclosure.
Why do tortoises need a humidifier?
Some of the advantages of having a humidifier in your tortoise’s enclosure are as follows:
It will keep your tortoise more comfortable.
A humidifier in your tortoise’s enclosure allows them to digest their food better, resulting in faster and healthier growth. Because it is happy and comfortable in its surroundings, your tortoise will also be able to sleep better.
It will keep your tortoise hydrated.
Tortoises have evolved to absorb a large portion of their water through their skin. Therefore, improper humidity can dehydrate them, resulting in lethargy and other health issues. When they have a humidifier in their enclosure, they will have more water in their skin and lungs, which will help them stay hydrated.
It reduces the chances of infections and respiratory problems.
Not enough humidity in the air can cause various respiratory problems in your tortoise, including pneumonia and other similar respiratory infections. A humidifier reduces the likelihood of infections and respiratory problems, and your tortoise will most likely remain healthy.
How to choose the best humidifier for your tortoise?
Now that you understand the importance of having a humidifier in your tortoise’s enclosure, let’s look at how to select the best humidifier for your tortoise. Numerous options are available on the market, each with distinctive features that may vary. When choosing a humidifier, keep the following factors in mind:
- Water Tank Capacity – A humidifier has a water tank that stores the water that will be released into the air as moisture. The water in the tank will disappear as moisture is released; this means that having a larger water tank means having to refill it less frequently. The capacity of the water tank will also determine the humidifier’s running time, so keep this in mind when selecting a humidifier.
- Adjustability – There are humidifiers on the market that are more straightforward, but there are also some that are flexible and offer various settings such as moisture control, adjustable nozzles, and more. This could make adjusting the amount of moisture in the air easier, especially since different breeds of tortoises have different moisture preferences.
- Ease of Use – When purchasing a humidifier, consider one that is simple to set up and refill. Purchasing one that is overly complicated may result in problems in the future. Because there are so many different humidifiers, you should think about which one is best for you. For example, you might prefer a humidifier with a detachable water tank or one that can be refilled from the top.
- Sturdiness – The final factor to consider when purchasing a humidifier is the humidifier’s quality and durability. When you buy something, you want it to last as long as possible, especially if it is expensive. This is when you should do your research to ensure that you are not purchasing a humidifier prone to breaking.
We will now answer the most frequently asked questions about humidifiers for tortoises.
Tortoise Humidifiers FAQ
The amount of humidity a tortoise needs depends on the breed, but most tortoises will benefit from at least 50-60% humidity in their enclosure.
It is recommended that you clean your humidifier at least once a week. Unplug your humidifier before cleaning it, and try emptying, rinsing, and drying the base and tank daily.
While some humidifiers are loud and can cause noise, there are many options on the market for quiet humidifiers.
The run-time of a humidifier varies depending on the type and size of the tortoise, but it can stay on for as long as necessary to maintain the humidity level. You can also set it to run every couple of hours with a timer.
A hygrometer can be used to measure the humidity levels in your tank. You can also tell that a tank is humid if there is condensation on the glass, but it is safer to use a hygrometer rather than guess.
Conclusion
It is also vital that you not over-humidify the tank, as this can also cause problems. The amount of humidity required will vary depending on the type of tortoise you have, so checking how much your tortoise requires is important.
A dry land tortoise prefers 60 percent humidity most of the time, while a tropical tortoise prefers 80-90 percent humidity. A Sulcata tortoise requires around 40%-55% humidity.
Now that you know everything about humidifiers for tortoises, you can ensure that your reptilian friend is happy and healthy!
