Russian tortise activity

Stephch

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I just made an enclosure for my russian tortise out of a baby pool to give him more room than the tub he was in. Now hes going nuts! I dont know a whole lot about tortise behavior. I know living outside is best but I live in an apartment. I am planning to get him outside when hes full grown hopefully in the next couple years when I buy a house. His usual behavior is active in morning and night but hes been nuts all day and I feel bad for him because i think it's my lack of knowledge. Any wise tortise moms and dads on here?
 

Lyn W

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He's probably just getting used to having more space.
You could put some plants in there to make him feel more secure, but only use plants that you know haven't had chemicals or fertilisers used on them or in the soil. The advice generally given is that if you buy from a shop you should re-pot in chemical free soil and allow up to a year for any chemicals that may have been absorbed to grow out. Some people use artificial plants but I suppose you would have to be careful that your tort didn't nibble them. Have a look at www.thetortoisetable.org.uk for tort safe plants for food and enclosures.
 

Yvonne G

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Hi, and welcome!

I THINK your tortoise already IS full grown. The Russian tortoise is a small species and they don't get much bigger than what you have there.

I'd like to make a couple suggestions, if I may. I know it doesn't concern your original question, but it's a safety issue. Buy another tile like the one you have under the light to feed the tortoise on. That dish you're using could be a tipping hazard - and so could that waterer. I like to use clay plant saucers for water (but I buy the plastic ones so the water doesn't seep out).

Tortoises are territorial, and his activity might just mean he's looking for a way to escape to find his way back to his original territory. It generally takes a couple weeks for them to settle down. Lyn's advice is good, only don't put the plants near the edges of the pool. They're great at using plants (or rocks or hiding places) as ladders and will climb right out.
 

Maro2Bear

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Yep, I agree with others. He was in a smaller enclosure and it was “home” but now has a lot more space to claim as his territory and to see if there any ways to escape! Searching searching searching.... in some time, it will settle down and realize there are no predators and no way out. Good luck.

Welcome to the Forum! You’re only a few miles east of me - yucky weather......
 

Stephch

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Hi, and welcome!

I THINK your tortoise already IS full grown. The Russian tortoise is a small species and they don't get much bigger than what you have there.

I'd like to make a couple suggestions, if I may. I know it doesn't concern your original question, but it's a safety issue. Buy another tile like the one you have under the light to feed the tortoise on. That dish you're using could be a tipping hazard - and so could that waterer. I like to use clay plant saucers for water (but I buy the plastic ones so the water doesn't seep out).

Tortoises are territorial, and his activity might just mean he's looking for a way to escape to find his way back to his original territory. It generally takes a couple weeks for them to settle down. Lyn's advice is good, only don't put the plants near the edges of the pool. They're great at using plants (or rocks or hiding places) as ladders and will climb right out.
Thank you I will make these changes. The pet store said he was around 3 years old how old are they when they are full grown?
 

Yvonne G

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Pet stores don't really know the ages of their animals. The clerk was probably going by the size. Russian tortoises are a small species, and the size fools a lot of people. Males are about 4 to 5" in a straight line front to back at maturity, and females get a bit bigger than that, with the exceptional animal about 7", but that's not the norm.
 

Stephch

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Well he is 5 inches exactly so I guess he is an adult. He has finally calmed down but I've been giving him so much attention and its calming him
 

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