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lucas davies

New Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2018
Messages
6
Location (City and/or State)
Manchester
Hello there,

We are Lucas and Jessica. A couple in their mid 20’s who have just adopted a spur thighed tortoise. He is a happy outgoing little man we refer to as ‘Dr Randy Sheldon Bradley Davies’ a mouthful, but very fitting.

Randy is an adventurous tortoise but last night showed some strange behaviour signs. The best way to describe his movements was as if he was trying to swim on our carpet (a place he is very familiar with and usually walks normally) he was poking out his head and legs very fast and almost dancing. We put him in his tank to see how he would be and he just scratched away in his favourite corner and then fell asleep. This morning he was walking very odd and we grew concerned. We fed him, tickled him, petted him and finally bathed him. After a long soak he did 3 poo’s and like magic our usual behaved tortoise was back !! Around the same time this evening he is showing similar signs but mainly wanting to travel with his tummy brushing on the floor and being very fast ! We aren’t worried anymore as he has been fine all day, usual food and water intake. Any pointers on this would be much appreciated as we felt like nervous parents last night !

Thank you in advance !
Lucas and Jessica x
 

Maro2Bear

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 29, 2014
Messages
14,712
Location (City and/or State)
Glenn Dale, Maryland, USA
Welcome to The Forum!

See if you can upload some pix of your tort and it’s enclosure. Some9ne might spot something that might be influencing your torty.
 

lucas davies

New Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2018
Messages
6
Location (City and/or State)
Manchester
Hello there,

We are Lucas and Jessica. A couple in their mid 20’s who have just adopted a spur thighed tortoise. He is a happy outgoing little man we refer to as ‘Dr Randy Sheldon Bradley Davies’ a mouthful, but very fitting.

Randy is an adventurous tortoise but last night showed some strange behaviour signs. The best way to describe his movements was as if he was trying to swim on our carpet (a place he is very familiar with and usually walks normally) he was poking out his head and legs very fast and almost dancing. We put him in his tank to see how he would be and he just scratched away in his favourite corner and then fell asleep. This morning he was walking very odd and we grew concerned. We fed him, tickled him, petted him and finally bathed him. After a long soak he did 3 poo’s and like magic our usual behaved tortoise was back !! Around the same time this evening he is showing similar signs but mainly wanting to travel with his tummy brushing on the floor and being very fast ! We aren’t worried anymore as he has been fine all day, usual food and water intake. Any pointers on this would be much appreciated as we felt like nervous parents last night !

Thank you in advance !
Lucas and Jessica x

IMG_1521404243.420907.jpg
 

Lark_Tortoise

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2018
Messages
141
Location (City and/or State)
Ct
I'm not sure about this behavior and it might be something with a clear answer but I do know a few things you should.
First of all, if your I.D pic is your tort that I believe is not a very good substrate. A better option would be coco coir or fine-grade orchid bark.
Second, he should not roam the floors of your house, although he may seem to enjoy it. There are so many dangers and they need the heat of their enclosure. If you need to take him out for a photo or something, put him in a plastic bin for no more than 10 minutes.
Thirdly, the glass wall scratching is him trying to get out. They don't understand the concept of glass and will continually scratch and run into it. You should put a few inches of duck tape or any sight barrier to block the bottom.
Fourthly, the water bowl is too tall. A terra-cotta plant saucer is much better.
Finally, what size is his enclosure? He should have at least 4'x8" feet.
Sorry if this sounds harsh- just trying to pass on what I know. You guys sound like great tort-parents, so good luck! :D-Lark
 
Last edited:

Maro2Bear

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 29, 2014
Messages
14,712
Location (City and/or State)
Glenn Dale, Maryland, USA
Hey. One thing that quickly pops out here is the substrate. Those pellets really are not recommended st all on here. Impossible to wet them down and create the right substrate. Pet Stores seem to want to recommend and sell this stuff. Most keepers on here use fine orchid bark, coco coir, peat moss, and/or a fine cypress mulch. But, not the “rabbit pellets.”

There is lots of info under the Tortoise Species tabs.

Welcome, good luck.
 

lucas davies

New Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2018
Messages
6
Location (City and/or State)
Manchester
I'm not sure about this behavior and it might be something with a clear answer but I do know a few things you should.
First of all, if your I.D pic is your tort that I believe is not a very good substrate. A better option would be coco coir or fine-grade orchid bark.
Second, he should not roam the floors of your house, although he may seem to enjoy it. There are so many dangers and they need the heat of their enclosure. If you need to take him out for a photo or something, put him in a plastic bin for no more than 10 minutes.
Thirdly, the glass wall scratching is him trying to get out. They don't understand the concept of glass and will continually scratch and run into it. You should put a few inches of duck tape or any sight barrier to block the bottom.
Fourthly, the water bowl is too tall. A terra-cotta plant saucer is much better.
Finally, what size is his enclosure? He should have at least 4'x8" feet.
Sorry if this sounds harsh- just trying to pass on what I know. You guys sound like great tort-parents, so good luck! :D-Lark



Thank you for your advice !
He is mainly scratching on the floor where he sleeps which when we have researched apparently it is him getting comfy. He doesn’t do this often but I think because of his behaviour last night it made us notice it.
We were recommended by the shop we bought this tortoise from to have this size enclosure and that water bowl. We will take this on board though!

Thanks a lot x
 

lucas davies

New Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2018
Messages
6
Location (City and/or State)
Manchester
Hey. One thing that quickly pops out here is the substrate. Those pellets really are not recommended st all on here. Impossible to wet them down and create the right substrate. Pet Stores seem to want to recommend and sell this stuff. Most keepers on here use fine orchid bark, coco coir, peat moss, and/or a fine cypress mulch. But, not the “rabbit pellets.”

There is lots of info under the Tortoise Species tabs.

Welcome, good luck.

Thank you !
We will switch his substrate !
 

Melis

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2017
Messages
509
Location (City and/or State)
Maryland
Welcome! He may be trying to burrow down into the substrate, which he won't be able to do in those pellets. Adding a few inches of an appropriate substrate like the ones mentioned above may help.
 

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