My girl of 40 years (Herman) has suddenly had a personality change. Normally very lazy and stays close to her house, eating and sleeping her favourite choice of daily life. She does not have a partner he died 35 years ago but shares my garden with a spur thigh who absolutely adores her, equally she has no time for him.Since coming out of hibernation she stays at our local toitoises sanctuary in the chiller fridge, her personality has changed. Has laid eggs, 1st time ever charges around garden and now climbs thru my open patio door and moves in. Every day I am frequently putting her out and then finding her in various parts of the house an hour later what is happening????
Behaviour
- Thread starter Nannon
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Welcome from Devon. I couldn't help smiling at your description of her behaviour - our 21 year old Hermann is behaving a bit oddly too - he doesn't hibernate, but this Spring has been very active in a rather confused sort of way. You say she laid eggs - where did she lay them? Could it be a sort of hormonal thing, or something to do with the weather? Or are you giving her different food ? All I can suggest is for you to keep your patio door closed ! Maybe someone else will have an explanation.
Angie
H
Until weather warm enough build an enclosure in my spare room and then the 5 of them out garden. Nothing has changed, she still hates Speedy who has never got the message and totally ignore the other 3
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Wow - so you have 5 tortoises ! What kind are the other 3 ?
Angie
The other 3 girls we rescued 2 summers ago and are spur thigh same as Speedy, but he ignores them. I think because he and Attilla have been together for 35 years he ignores the other 3
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I can't think of any reason why Attila should change so much - I do worry ,though, it could be dangerous if she is roaming around your house on her own - tortoises can get into so many difficult situations ,or get squashed by a door being opened - has she ever done this before?
You mention a tortoise sanctuary - I would very much like details of it - there used to be one in Cornwall, but the council closed it down - just in case we ever need one in an emergency.
Angie
The toitoise sanctuary is in Sully South Glamorgan, mine go for holiday cover and chiller hibernation.Atilla is a big girl and think she would squash my door as she continues to terrorise my poor bordercollie!! I just don't understand how after 44 years she now climbs into the house and then makes herself at home. I think this situation will always be a conundrum, but if any one can come up with a reason would be grateful
Debbie
Debbie
The tortoise should not ever have access to be loose I the house. That is a disaster waiting to happen.
Species should never be mixed.
Sometimes male Testudo can be very aggressive. It is likely that she's trying to get away from the male. She should have her own separate enclosure, away from him and the all the others of a different species, and she should have a temperature controlled shelter to retreat to as well.
This is all explained in more detail here:
The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise
I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...
tortoiseforum.org
