Can i move my Greek Tortoise indoors after years of living outside?

[Stormrider]

Aplogies upfront if this is the wrong place to post.

Hello, i am gonna be moving soon and won't have a garden anymore so i was wondering if i can move my Greek Tortoise inside.

He's about 10 years old. Im not completely sure, to be honest, how old exactly. He's been living in an outdoor enclosure, about 2x3 meters, with lots of plants inside for pretty much ever. Obviously without a garden i cant do that anymore. Didn't find anything online about this so im asking here.

Also, if yes, is there any way to make the transition more pleasant for him?

Thanks for reading!

 

[Yvonne G]

He's going to be pretty upset. They don't like change. Make him the biggest enclosure you possibly can, and add a few plants (in pots). Take a look through our enclosure section for ideas. And be sure to put a GOOD UVB light over the indoor enclosure.

 

[dmmj]

Surenit can be done. You're going to have a pretty upset tortoise though to be honest. Andmake it as big of an enclosure as possible and lots of sight barriers

 

[Stormrider]

Thanks for the replies.

I do have the option of just leaving him with my mom(im moving out). All things considered that would probably be the best choice, right? Since i wont have a lot of room for an enclosure.

I was planning on doing that anyway but recently reconsidered.

 

[Stormrider]

Recently i really wanna take him with me though.

 

[keepergale]

Leaving him with your mom had everything to do with how your mom feels about the tortoise. Is she interested in the tortoise. Will she actively care for it or just leave it be in its pen?

 

[Stormrider]

Nah, she'll take care of it. It's more of a family pet anyway.

 

[Gillian M]

A very warm welcome to the forum, @Stormrider .

Placing your tort in an enclosure will definitely "upset" him; sorry to say so. Moreover, it's going to take time till he gets used to an enclosure, no matter how big it is. Therefore, I'd advise give you one advise: the BIGGER the enclosure, the BETTER.

Any pics of your tort?

Good luck!

 

[Tom]

If you don't have the space for a large enclosure indoors, then the tortoise would be better off staying where it is.

Also, 2x3 meters is pretty small for an adult tortoise outside. Can it be expanded a bit? I normally recommend 1.5 x 3 meters as a minimum indoor enclosure size. Outdoors should be much larger, if possible.

 

[KevinGG]

If your mom is willing to keep it and she understands how to care for it properly, then I'd leave it with her. Tortoises don't typically thrive indoors the way they do outdoors, especially when they've grown accustomed to the latter.

 

[KevinGG]

If you don't have the space for a large enclosure indoors, then the tortoise would be better off staying where it is.

Also, 2x3 meters is pretty small for an adult tortoise outside. Can it be expanded a bit? I normally recommend 1.5 x 3 meters as a minimum indoor enclosure size. Outdoors should be much larger, if possible.

3 meters is almost ten feet, Tom. That's your minimum indoor enclosure size?

 

[Tom]

3 meters is almost ten feet, Tom. That's your minimum indoor enclosure size?

Right. That is his outdoor enclosure's size. I think it should be bigger.

Indoors I like 8' which is a little under three meters. Are you really gonna make me do a precise conversion? Ok. 2.44 meters.

...but I'd be happy with an even 3 meters too.

 

[Stormrider]

A very warm welcome to the forum, @Stormrider .

Placing your tort in an enclosure will definitely "upset" him; sorry to say so. Moreover, it's going to take time till he gets used to an enclosure, no matter how big it is. Therefore, I'd advise give you one advise: the BIGGER the enclosure, the BETTER.

Any pics of your tort?

Good luck!

Thanks!
This is him.

If i was gonna move him inside, how big would the enclosure have to be? Would his unhappiness be permanent/long-term?

Thanks for all the answers btw.

Also, this is his outdoor enclosure(it's roughed up from winter). Is this really too small? I always felt like it was pretty big.

is his outdoor enclosure(it's roughed up from winter). Is this really too small? I always felt like it was pretty big.

 

[JoesMum]

Hi

We are the owners of a Greek much older than yours. We got him in 1970 - 47 years ago. I'd say he hasn't grown for getting on for 20 years now. He weighs 7lb/3.2 kg.

He is kept outside. The one winter we had to keep him indoors was very stressful indeed. You are going to need indoor space of 1.5 x 2.2 metres minimum (that's approx 8' x 4') We had far more than that for Joe - he basically had our dining room floor and even that wasn't big enough. Your tort is used to 2x3 metres. He knows the routine outside and is happy there.

I honestly don't know if your tort will settle inside. You will have to have a very large enclosure and take very great care with lighting and heat to make sure you meet your tort's needs. Some tort's don't handle change at all well. Your Mom has the routines and space and can cope when she goes on vacation etc. You may not even be alloweded pets in your new apartment.

Your tort has growing to do yet and, I fear, that things could become quite a challenge for both of you indoors.

Joe was my husband's 7th birthday present. When he first left home, Joe stayed with my husband's parents and stayed there until we had a garden of our own for Joe. Personally, I think your tort should stay with your Mom just the same. When you have outdoor space of your own then you can live together again.

 

[Gillian M]

Thanks!
This is him.

If i was gonna move him inside, how big would the enclosure have to be? Would his unhappiness be permanent/long-term?

Thanks for all the answers btw.

Also, this is his outdoor enclosure(it's roughed up from winter). Is this really too small? I always felt like it was pretty big.

is his outdoor enclosure(it's roughed up from winter). Is this really too small? I always felt like it was pretty big.

Oh your tort is adorable! GOD bless.

Personally I think the enclosure is nice and large.