Horsefield tortoises!

Jackf22

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May 29, 2020
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Hi Guys! My 4 month old Horsefield tortoise seems unhappy? He seems to scratch at the outside of his tank a lot and when he’s in his run outside he just seems to want to get out. Does anyone know if this is because he’s bored or unhappy? And if so does anyone have any ideas on spicing his life up a tad or any toys he may like that works for you guys! Thanks in advance!
 

Crush da Baum

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Hi Guys! My 4 month old Horsefield tortoise seems unhappy? He seems to scratch at the outside of his tank a lot and when he’s in his run outside he just seems to want to get out. Does anyone know if this is because he’s bored or unhappy? And if so does anyone have any ideas on spicing his life up a tad or any toys he may like that works for you guys! Thanks in advance!
Usually, scratching can indicate that he needs a larger enclosure. What is his enclosure size and approximate size of the tort.
 

Crush da Baum

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It’s about 4 ft long, hes very small, probably about 2 inches long
If it is 4 by 2 then that is big enough for a 2-inch tort. Give him a couple of days, he might not be acclimated to the enclosure yet. Can I have a pic of your enclosure?
 

Crush da Baum

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Can I make some suggestions? Baby tortoises need very high humidity, making a closed topped enclosure is the best way to maintain that. There are many easy ways to do that even just tin foil works. I do not know what substrate you are using but carpets aren't the best. If it is only a part of the enclosure it might be fine, I do not know. Sand also is not the best because it can cause impaction. If you get him outside a couple of hours a week he should be fine on UVB. The enclosure looks very nice and looks like a good size. Might just need some time to get used to it.
 

Crush da Baum

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My mistake, upon closer inspection your substrate looks like soil. Soil works fine but torts might eat the perlites and that could hurt them.
 

Crush da Baum

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Surely if it’s a closed top tank then the heat lamp wouldn’t have any effect?
There are many ways of making a closed top. A simple way is just using tin foil and cutting a circle the size of the lamp and setting the lamp on top of the wire. You just have to use a weaker heat lamp. What bulb do you have?
 

Crush da Baum

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Some people use plexiglass. There are just so many ways. I am sure there are many threads on how to make closed tops.
 

Crush da Baum

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Using a hydrometer will help tremendously because you can make sure what you are doing is effective.
 
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