Behaviour Questions

[Kisobel]

He a little strange as of recently,

He seems to keep trying to climb out/look over specifically where the glass is,
He doesn’t seem super active unless he is doing this he will just do laps around the vivarium when he does this,
And though I do feed him he always freaks out and runs towards more food like bro was starving bjt be busy demolished 2 bowls today already.

I could bath him more, I’m doing so for 4 days in a row but aside from that I don’t really know.

Again here he is in the corner,

Any advice at all? My best guess is it may be a little colder as of recent but that’s bc outside temps, I really can’t do anything about that as my room gets freezing but it’s still quite hot inside his vivarium.

 

[TammyJ]

We can't give advice if we have not been told the details of how he is kept now. Maybe he needs a larger enclosure, which is very often one of the issues, along with temperatures, lighting, humidity, diet and soaking routine.

 

[Kisobel]

We can't give advice if we have not been told the details of how he is kept now. Maybe he needs a larger enclosure, which is very often one of the issues, along with temperatures, lighting, humidity, diet and soaking routine.

He has a 4ft vivarium, Hot side 35 degrees c under basking, cooler side is 24 today but usually 27-28. He has a 12 hour light cycle, his UVB is on for 4 hours im fairly sure, humidity is 40% ik its low I've been constantly working for 4 days so I get 4 days to sort it. Soaking I need to do way more often it's been like 1 time every week. His diet Is just leafy greens from the supermarket, I couldn't tell you off the top of my head but I know its all ok for him but im starting to think maybe not enough nutritious stuff in it

 

[TammyJ]

I'm sure you will soon get some pretty detailed advice about what changes you should make! Good luck.

 

[TammyJ]

@The_Four_Toed_Edward

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Temperatures look fine to me. Humidity of 40% (if measured in the cold part) is too low, but addressed easily by dumping water in substrate.

I see to possible issues right now:
1. He is hungry (he always needs food available during the day). Mixing some amendments with grocery greens will help with "food enrichment" - Agrobs PreAlpine, Hikari Mulberific, ZooMed Grassland, Arcadia DragonFuel or Optimized52 Tortoise Food, flower toppers from ZooMed or Arcadia etc. Not all at once, of course - get just 1-2 small bags and rotate brands from time to time.
2. He is bored. Small changes in the enclosure (adding a hide or tunnel, swapping places for food and water bowls) once in 1-2 weeks should help. Stuff like this, burrowed in substrate is a nice enrichment: https://www.toolstation.com/114mm-square-line-gutter-angle/p42899 Also, you may think about adding a hamster wheel.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

How long have you had him? Have you done any changes to the enclosure recently?

My best guess is it may be a little colder as of recent but that’s bc outside temps, I really can’t do anything about that as my room gets freezing but it’s still quite hot inside his vivarium.

What are your exact temperatures in the terrarium? (basking, ambient, night)

And though I do feed him he always freaks out and runs towards more food like bro was starving bjt be busy demolished 2 bowls today already.

Don't worry about feeding him as much as he wants to eat.

 

[Kisobel]

How long have you had him? Have you done any changes to the enclosure recently?

What are your exact temperatures in the terrarium? (basking, ambient, night)

Don't worry about feeding him as much as he wants to eat.

I have had him for 1 year on the 23rd of January. That's also the birthday im giving him

27.5 cool side,
36.2 basking,
Night, drops to like 25-26 but when it's a cold morning it's about 24. Yes that is also with a CHE.

As of today I have bathed him, will also do so for the next 3 days. then not for 4 then again for 4, keep doing that cycle. I also have improved his diet.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I have had him for 1 year on the 23rd of January. That's also the birthday im giving him

27.5 cool side,
36.2 basking,
Night, drops to like 25-26 but when it's a cold morning it's about 24. Yes that is also with a CHE.

As of today I have bathed him, will also do so for the next 3 days. then not for 4 then again for 4, keep doing that cycle. I also have improved his diet.

Has there been any changes to his environment lately? If not I think the reasons Alex listed are most likely.

 

[Kisobel]

Has there been any changes to his environment lately? If not I think the reasons Alex listed are most likely.

I’d say outside temp, it’s gotten very cold recently.

He is also kinda outgrowing the logs I’ve got in his vivarium but I wouldn’t know how else to decorate his vivarium so he got hide spots and also still room to walk

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I’d say outside temp, it’s gotten very cold recently.

He is also kinda outgrowing the logs I’ve got in his vivarium but I wouldn’t know how else to decorate his vivarium so he got hide spots and also still room to walk

Here is one example for inspiration: https://tortoiseforum.org/media/1000011655-jpg.13097/ (it's mostly various things from a hardware/DIY store).

Also, plants in pots fixed to the wall or standing on small stands (so space under the pot doubles as a hide) should work.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

If looking for more inspiration on decor, there’s some good stuff in these

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Enclosure inspiration

Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...

tortoiseforum.org

Humidity wise, how often do you pour water into your substrate? Does your enclosure have open vents?

 

[Kisobel]

Hello people hopefully this still gets replies,
@Littleredfootbigredheart @Alex and the Redfoot

So I’ve been at work the last 3 days,

I’ve came home today earlier to check on my hermann and I did notice and get told the last day and today he hasn’t ate much, like he has still ate a big bowl of food and salad but we usually give him 2 bowls over the day,

I picked him up and I don’t quite know how to describe it other than he feels much lighter?
He looks normal and seems normal, maybe a tiny bit less chunky but he definitely feels lighter and he has been in bed most / if not all of today.

Is this just due to whether and him trying to brumate? I don’t want him to either so what’s the best ways to stop him doing this

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello people hopefully this still gets replies,
@Littleredfootbigredheart @Alex and the Redfoot

So I’ve been at work the last 3 days,

I’ve came home today earlier to check on my hermann and I did notice and get told the last day and today he hasn’t ate much, like he has still ate a big bowl of food and salad but we usually give him 2 bowls over the day,

I picked him up and I don’t quite know how to describe it other than he feels much lighter?
He looks normal and seems normal, maybe a tiny bit less chunky but he definitely feels lighter and he has been in bed most / if not all of today.

Is this just due to whether and him trying to brumate? I don’t want him to either so what’s the best ways to stop him doing this

This is likely due to the change in season, sometimes despite being well lit and heated, some are very tuned in, though I would definitely start keeping an eye on his weight! I’d get yourself some digital kitchen scales.

To encourage him not to slow down and keep his appetite up, obviously keep basking temp where it is but maybe try boosting ambient temperature a few degrees, so have an overall 80f reading during the day, then 75 for night. You can put your light cycle on for up to 14 hours instead of 12, this can trick some into thinking it’s longer summer dayshope this helps! Do keep us in the loop

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I'm not sure if he tries to brumate. Losing weight is concerning. I would take a stool sample to any nearest vet lab to check for parasites, it should not be very expensive.

 

[Kisobel]

This is likely due to the change in season, sometimes despite being well lit and heated, some are very tuned in, though I would definitely start keeping an eye on his weight! I’d get yourself some digital kitchen scales.

To encourage him not to slow down and keep his appetite up, obviously keep basking temp where it is but maybe try boosting ambient temperature a few degrees, so have an overall 80f reading during the day, then 75 for night. You can put your light cycle on for up to 14 hours instead of 12, this can trick some into thinking it’s longer summer dayshope this helps! Do keep us in the loop

Thank you so much, you haven’t worried me what is good.

Last day at work tomorrow then I’m monitoring and feeding him as best and as much as possible, my parents do it when I’m at work so I don’t get to monitor him much. I fed him some courgette after waking him up and he ate a good few slices so atleast his appetite is still there!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

If he really has lost weight, a stool sample would be good.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

If he really has lost weight, a stool sample would be good.

Definitely wouldn’t hurt to have checked, especially as it doesn’t involve him having to go in

 

[Kisobel]

Definitely wouldn’t hurt to have checked, especially as it doesn’t involve him having to go in

Where do I go / what do I do for this?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Where do I go / what do I do for this?

Any vet clinic/lab can do tests. If they have someone who can do microscopy, not just test kits - that's even better (perhaps, some "old school" vets/vet techs). So you need to call them to confirm and bring a fresh stool sample.