How long can a tortoise be on their back before problems start arising for them? I have found my little hermann on her back a few times and even saw her do it once. She is only 11 months old. I worry as my partner and I work 12 hr shifts. Many thanks for advice
On the back
- Thread starter solo3mma
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There isn't an answer for this question. Some tortoises can be on their back longer than others. The lungs are just under the carapace, so when a tortoise is on its back, everything inside him is pressing on the lungs and it's difficult for him to breathe.
Some tortoises just lay there and wait for the grim reaper, and others squirm and poop and dig holes in a circle trying to get back over.
I've heard it said that a softer substrate gives them traction and is helpful in turning back over. I don't know. I've lost a few tortoises in my time because they were on their back and couldn't get back over. A nice 45lb female Manouria that had just reached breeding age comes to mind.
Water turtles (flat turtles) seem to have no difficulty in getting back upright. Box turtles (fairly high domed) seem to be able to right themselves. And yet some flat animals and some high domed animals just sit there and die.
Some tortoises just lay there and wait for the grim reaper, and others squirm and poop and dig holes in a circle trying to get back over.
I've heard it said that a softer substrate gives them traction and is helpful in turning back over. I don't know. I've lost a few tortoises in my time because they were on their back and couldn't get back over. A nice 45lb female Manouria that had just reached breeding age comes to mind.
Water turtles (flat turtles) seem to have no difficulty in getting back upright. Box turtles (fairly high domed) seem to be able to right themselves. And yet some flat animals and some high domed animals just sit there and die.
It also depends on temperature. A tort that flips in full sun or under the basking lamp has a worse prognosis
My juvenile homes hingebacks flip daily, they climb that much and fall tumbling onto there backs. They use the head and 2 legs of one side to self right. I used to flip them back myself but now I'm used to it, it's par for the coarse with these guys. Sometimes they just lay there on the backs for a few minute until they can be bothered to turn back over. I'll video one tomorrow. They get traction on soft substrate and if they are on an incline it's easier for them to upright themselves down the hill. Often wondered why we insist on a level substrate, hills help them self right.
On the odd occasions I've found my redfoots flipped, I've turned them back over. It must happen when I'm not there too.
On the odd occasions I've found my redfoots flipped, I've turned them back over. It must happen when I'm not there too.
Who insists in a level substrate? I can't say that I've seen it recommended.
Having rolling hills reduces the flip risk while giving an adventurous tort something to climb without doing suicidal face plants.
Reducing the flip risk is frequently recommended, but not having this totally flat.
Having rolling hills reduces the flip risk while giving an adventurous tort something to climb without doing suicidal face plants.
Reducing the flip risk is frequently recommended, but not having this totally flat.
Nobody personally insists on it, but have a look at how many indoor enclosures have flat substrate.
I have a climber. We've had Joe 46 years and he's pretty expert these days. We had to fence off the back door steps though because his attempts to scale them, whilst usually successful resulting in an unexpected tort in the kitchen, did sometimes result in him tipping on terrain where he couldn't flip back... and we couldn't guarantee we'd be there to flip him back.
I had my hingebacks out the other day in there outdoor enclosure. 8" high wooden walls with a mesh top on. One scale the wooden wall by digging it's nails in the wood, it had one limb through the wire mesh, it didn't use any corners or plants to aid it's climb, this is a 2" tort at its maximum, soon as it saw me it fell on its back, flipped over and wandered off.
That's due people's ideas of 'pretty' or 'tidy' rather than any recommendation I think. The complete flatness always mystifies me.
Usually though it's the least of the worries when answering questions on a newbie's setup.
By the time the lighting, humidity, water dish, etc have been sorted suggesting rolling hills seems petty
I agree, I am guilty of having a flat substrate too indoors. We all do it because it looks good. That's what I meant, why do we insist on setting our enclosures up flat. Is it the right thing to to?That's due people's ideas of 'pretty' or 'tidy' rather than any recommendation I think. The complete flatness always mystifies me.
Usually though it's the least of the worries when answering questions on a newbie's setup.
By the time the lighting, humidity, water dish, etc have been sorted suggesting rolling hills seems petty
Anyway, I just woke up and found one of my adult hinges on her side(the biggest female)
you can see in the substrate where she has waved her limbs around to get over, this female is gravid I think, she keeps moving all the other torts out of this area, I guess she met her match this morning. I turned her the rest of the way, gave her a good misting and all is good, she's back in action.
I'll do it next opportunity, I actually missed one of my juveniles this morning that flipped, I forgot to video it. Doh.
Sometimes when it's harder they have a burst of energy and fail, then rest for a bit before having another go.
That was a fast one. I just got an agonizing 1 minute long video, I'll put it on when it's loaded up to the net.
This one was agony to watch and not interfere.
@Plop123 where did your post disappear too.
@Plop123 where did your post disappear too.
Since he asked his own question, and not about the OP's thread, I moved it here:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/on-his-back-in-water-bowl.146313/
Hi. Why would hot weather be more dangerous in such a case?
Appreciate an explanation.
Thanks.
Dehydration. A tort dehydrates more quickly in such circumstances
I do not think anyone can answer this question. Sorry.
Any pics of your tort and his/her enclosure?
And a very warm welcome to the forum.
