Tortoise literally running non stop

Talreja chandni

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Hi! I hv a star tortoise since the past 18 years. Had her since she was a baby.
Recently I got married n moved in with my husband so obviously got her along. It's been about 6 months. But now suddenly she has become super duper active. Walking non stop, nearly running. Trying to climb walls, n very often flipping onto her shell. This is what's scaring me. Im always afraid she is gonna flip over.
She recently layed unfertilised eggs. I think she still has a few more inside. I live in India where it's quite hot n humid. I don't hv an enclosure for her. She walks (struts) around the entire house.

What could be the reason for this sudden activity? (she had done this a few ago as well)

What will happen if I'm not around n she flips on her back?
 

the Turtle Shepherd

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omg, she needs a place to lay her eggs, that is why she is pacing like that, it is seriously a dangerous situation you have in there, she needs a box filled with dirt that she can easily climb in and out of, and she needs to know that she has this option, if she gets egg bound - you can lose her, and she might per your description, make even the smallest enclosure in the room, even three by three feet where she can have a safe place to sleep, lay eggs, her own place is very important to them:) good luck:) i will get me two stars one day, i like the indian most of all, even above radiated, can you post some pics, would love to see her:)and welcome to the forum from California :)
 

Talreja chandni

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omg, she needs a place to lay her eggs, that is why she is pacing like that, it is seriously a dangerous situation you have in there, she needs a box filled with dirt that she can easily climb in and out of, and she needs to know that she has this option, if she gets egg bound - you can lose her, and she might per your description, make even the smallest enclosure in the room, even three by three feet where she can have a safe place to sleep, lay eggs, her own place is very important to them:) good luck:) i will get me two stars one day, i like the indian most of all, even above radiated, can you post some pics, would love to see her:)and welcome to the forum from California :)


She had layed 2 eggs without any soil or enclosure. So I was wondering if that's the real reason?
 

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Yvonne G

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What the turtle shepherd posted for you is a very real concern. Sometimes if a female can't find just the right spot to dig a nest, she retains the eggs (becomes egg bound), and it could be a life-threatening situation. Please take a look through our enclosure section and see if any of the pictures give you ideas on how to make an enclosure for your tortoise.
 

the Turtle Shepherd

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yes, it is the reason. imagine you need to give birth and all you get is bare floor, no doctors and no scissors. you might manage to still give birth and chew the cord off, but are you going to be comfortable? most likely not. same situation is here: she might lay one more egg to survive or she might not under stress of her situation. and for pity sake, just give put her a large container with dirt for a few days. i am no star expert, so i do not know how many they usually lay, i know how to check for eggs but you must know what you are doing. just give her some dirt and some time alone in some box please :) she will be grateful :)
 

the Turtle Shepherd

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ok i just checked, she may lay, depending on age and such between 1-10 eggs, so if i were you - i would drop everything, and run and get a box and dirt from your yard and put her in there as soon as can be :) good luck :)
 

Talreja chandni

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Thanks for this tip....im gonna try this today. I dunno if I'll be able to leave her alone though.
 

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chin_lee

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thats a beautiful indian star. I hope she is able to lay her eggs in timely manner. Please keep us posted and provide an update when you can.
 

Talreja chandni

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Ok i got some mud for her tub. But I had to place her in it. She can't climb into it by herself. She doesn't seem to like it. She sat in it for a min n then started to try climbing out.
 

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Talreja chandni

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Now I dumped all the mud in her fav place of the house. She's been staring at it since 5 min
 

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Skyh3ck

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That is the best star I have seen, I can see you have grown her up very well, take care of her just like you would for your daughter, she can't speak but you must give her some space get a big container and lay some loose dry soil, may be you can try getting some cocopeat and moist a little bit, don't loose it such a beautiful tortoise you have there
 

Talreja chandni

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That is the best star I have seen, I can see you have grown her up very well, take care of her just like you would for your daughter, she can't speak but you must give her some space get a big container and lay some loose dry soil, may be you can try getting some cocopeat and moist a little bit, don't loose it such a beautiful tortoise you have there
Thank you! Yes she is my baby girl... Love her to bits.
 

Skyh3ck

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May be you must do google and watch some video, on how to take care of this situation
 

Markw84

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She needs warm, moist soil that is at least 22-25cm deep to dig a nest. She would not do anything with a pile of dirt on the floor. Do you have access to an outside area where there are a few bushes and soil in a partially sunny spot? She needs a place like that so she can find a place she feels is a good place to dig a nest. An indoor nest box is much more difficult to make acceptable to a tortoise. It does need to have a depth of about 25cm of soil. It needs to be compacted to where she can dig a hole that will not cave in on itself, but hold it's structure as she digs a hole (nest cavity) in which she would lay her eggs. An India star will normally pick a spot near or slightly under a bush, next to an area that does receive sunlight to warm up the soil. They look for soil that has the right temperature and humidity by testing constantly, looking like they are smelling the ground. They tend to lay in the evenings. So the easiest will be to find a way to create a secure, temporary enclosed area with suitable ground outside.
 

Gillian M

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A very warm welcome to the forum, @Skyh3ck .:):tort:

Please do not allow your cute tort to roam around your house. She could get lost/stolen, GOD forbid.:rolleyes:
 

chin_lee

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Talreja you need to put that dirt into a container of some sort that is about 12 inches deep. Moisten the soil and put it out in the sun to warm up before putting it into the container. She's not going to dig herself into that pile of dirt to lay eggs. Better yet put her into the sunny part of the garden and let her choose the area to lay the eggs. Keep an eye on her if she is frantically running around to lay eggs. she may just do it as soon as she finds the appropriate place
 

Talreja chandni

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A very warm welcome to the forum, @Skyh3ck .:):tort:

Please do not allow your cute tort to roam around your house. She could get lost/stolen, GOD forbid.:rolleyes:
Thanks! Well she has been roaming my house since 18 years. N hates confined places. So I wud never be happy closing her up in a tiny place. She likes to follow me sometimes, or choose her fav spot for the day. The house is her box n it's completely safe. Noone could possibly steal her from my home.
 

Skyh3ck

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Really worried about Talreja,s tortoise hope she lays egg ad relieves herself keep us updated
 

Talreja chandni

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Where I live, there are a lot of crows & eagles. So taking her outside is out of the question.
 
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