Carpet

I have not read every post in here, and not sure, on my phone, how to search for a topic, but my tortoise (Leopard) is about 4 months old and when I let s/heout to run around In the house instead of outside, s/he always tries to eat the carpet! Is this a normal behavior? I just want to make sure this won’t harm him/her. Never is actually able to pull any of the fibers, but want to make sure.

Letting tortoises roam free of the house is actually dangerous for them and not recommended. Tile and wood floors are much too cold for them. They can eat things they are not supposed to (dust bunnies, carpet, loose debris like screws, etc). They could crawl under something and get stuck. Or they could accidentally be stepped on. Sadly - I've heard of all those scenarios from other owners who experienced them.

It's best to keep the tortoise in it's enclosure where it is safe and secure.

We only ever let the tort roam when we are watching very closely and only when we can’t get it outside to get exercise, where s/he is still closely monitored so as not to get carried off by the local hawk population. Our enclosure is smaller than ideal (but not so small that it is unhealthy) due to space constraints, but this is why I was asking about why my tort might be trying to eat the carpet. We Don’t let the tort eat dust bunnies and make sure that s/he stays warm. S/he likes to sun with the dogs and the dogs are aware s/he is not a toy. We do take the care of our not human babies just as seriously as our human ones. I just don’t know why trying to snack on the carpet is a thing or if it is something that all torts do for some reason that I don’t understand.

Search the forum for dog attack
I can already see ur future post about a chewed on tortoise

klashnakitty said:

We only ever let the tort roam when we are watching very closely and only when we can’t get it outside to get exercise, where s/he is still closely monitored so as not to get carried off by the local hawk population. Our enclosure is smaller than ideal (but not so small that it is unhealthy) due to space constraints, but this is why I was asking about why my tort might be trying to eat the carpet. We Don’t let the tort eat dust bunnies and make sure that s/he stays warm. S/he likes to sun with the dogs and the dogs are aware s/he is not a toy. We do take the care of our not human babies just as seriously as our human ones. I just don’t know why trying to snack on the carpet is a thing or if it is something that all torts do for some reason that I don’t understand.

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klashnakitty said:

We only ever let the tort roam when we are watching very closely and only when we can’t get it outside to get exercise, where s/he is still closely monitored so as not to get carried off by the local hawk population. Our enclosure is smaller than ideal (but not so small that it is unhealthy) due to space constraints, but this is why I was asking about why my tort might be trying to eat the carpet. We Don’t let the tort eat dust bunnies and make sure that s/he stays warm. S/he likes to sun with the dogs and the dogs are aware s/he is not a toy. We do take the care of our not human babies just as seriously as our human ones. I just don’t know why trying to snack on the carpet is a thing or if it is something that all torts do for some reason that I don’t understand.

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The carpet is a new smell, texture, and taste to the tortoise. It's curious, which is why it's attempting to snack on it. Eating the carpet certainly isn't good and I would discourage the tortoise from doing so.

I certainly understand you are closely watching your tortoise while it is roaming the house, but all it takes is a second for you to look away and something happens. In every other story I've heard about the accidents, those owners were just as careful and cautious as you are, and they only got distracted for a second.

I've also heard the stories from owners whose dog would never attack their tortoise...until the day it did. And with your tortoise being only 4 months old, that's very young and very dangerous to keep it out of it's own element. I know you love your tortoise and are wanting to take exceptional care of it. I'm only trying to advise of the mistakes others have done before you to prevent you from making those same mistakes. None of us want anything bad to happen.

Thanks for the advice. I’m sorry if I came across as ungrateful or snarky. It was not my intent. It’s just hard to ask questions and then feel like you are being criticized. I think that’s why so many people don’t ask questions.

klashnakitty said:

Thanks for the advice. I’m sorry if I came across as ungrateful or snarky. It was not my intent. It’s just hard to ask questions and then feel like you are being criticized. I think that’s why so many people don’t ask questions.

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Its not criticism. We are literally trying to save your tortoise's life from two common mistakes that we see happening here and in the real world on a daily basis. Free roaming and dogs. Throw in dehydration and you have the top three killers of tortoises. We aren't picking on you or anyone else we tell these things to. Its not a judgment of your character or tortoise keeping skills, it is purely a warning with the intent of saving your tortoise from harm.

Free roaming will eventually kill your tortoise, one way or another, both indoors and outdoors. Your tortoise needs its own enclosure, separate from the dogs. The dogs should be taught to leave the tortoise alone and not go near it. They should never have access to it.

My signature line says it all. I have direct, first hand knowledge of these things. I wish I had been wise enough to learn from others.

Criticism can be a very good thing. It rarely feels comfortable to be told that what you're doing could be improved or could be harmful to your tortoise, but growth and improvement comes from listening to and applying the good criticism.

This particular topic has come up quite a bit on the forum, and as Tom indicated, many of us have seen this exact scenario result in the death of a tortoise. The tortoise biting at (anything) is normal behavior, and that is one reason why free roaming inside a house is not a good idea. Tortoises taste test anything and everything they come across that looks like something they can put in their mouth. A four month old may not be able to tear off and ingest any carpet fibers, but a bigger tortoise certainly could. I would suggest you review some of the housing threads on the forum and start setting up a separate area just for your tortoise as soon as you are able to.

Just to add look into how carpets are made lots of bad materials and chemicals. I am so lucky my house came with hardwoods. Now I do have dust bunny’s the size of real rabbits but 3 long haired dogs make it all worth it! Please forgive us if you feel we have been rude. That is the intention but a side effect of hearing the same question over and over - imagine “are we there yet” only an animals life may depend on it. This site to me from unknowing to moderate knowledgeable. With a massive amount to learn. So in closing we wish you only the best in raising your Leopard tortoise- me included I just added a new one!

klashnakitty said:

Thanks for the advice. I’m sorry if I came across as ungrateful or snarky. It was not my intent. It’s just hard to ask questions and then feel like you are being criticized. I think that’s why so many people don’t ask questions.

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What makes you think "so many people don't ask questions"? Our whole Forum is made up of questions. Some from older members, but most from new members. We're here to help. Our goal is to help people take the best care of their tortoises. We're sharing our years of experience with you. Yes, sometimes it sounds like we're picking on you, but that is the furthest thing from our minds. A happy, healthy and safe tortoise is our goal.

Thanks for all the information and advice. Again, I’m sorry for seeming like an overly sensitive triggered person. So, for now, we will continue with the supervised inside and outside exercise time and make sure to redirect if spending too much time “munching” in any one spot. S/he does spend the vast majority of the day in the enclosure, and when we get to our new place in about 6 months, we will have a lot more freedom to build and modify as needed. For now, however, we will do the best with what we have.