Burrowing speed...

[adore]

Hi all

Approx how fast can a Sulcata dig a burrow?

I'm wondering if, if my foster-tort started digging in the dirt part of my yard, would he be able to clear the fence and escape in 8-12(or less) hours or would I be about to see him and stop him before he was gone.

Details:
- the tort is about 12" (shell length)

- the ground is dirt that become
about 75% clay about a foot down.

- the cement block fence goes down into the dirt about 6-8"

- the dirt is in 2 large strips bordering two walls of the yard. These are between 3.5-4.5ft wide (from end of the bricks to the wall)

Tort is inside now since we had some rain, but I want to put him back out if I can. I'm just worried about loosing him.

Thank you so much!!

 

[Yvonne G]

It has been my experience that they dig down, then eventually turn around and come back the way they came. Unless they can see daylight under the fence, none of my many, many tortoises has EVER tried to dig under the fence.

 

[Tom]

I share the same experience as Yvonne. They don't "dig out". If they dig, it is usually to escape the heat, and they dig down, but not back up. They make one tunnel down at about a 40 degree angle and they go up and down that tunnel.

Is your fence chain link, or is it a visual barrier.

There is a book on sulcatas called "The Crying Tortoise". Its out of print. The author claims that in sandy soil a large sulcata can dig its own body length in 3 minutes. I've never seen one dig quite that fast.

Here is what mine did:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/sulcata-burrows.50846/

 

[adore]

Oh that's great you guys, thanks! My fence is solid brick except for a tiny chain link part that I've covered up. Tom, your torts' burrows are quite beautiful!

 

[Big Charlie]

I agree they don't come back up. Charlie has had several burrows. One went under the fence under the neighbor's yard. I have no idea how the neighbor knew it was there as it was 4 or 5 feet below the ground but he made us fill it back up. The last burrow Charlie dug was huge. He never stopped digging. It went about 6 feet in one direction, angling down, then made a 1/4 turn and came up about a foot and continued on. Any water would end up in the low part and the bend keep the wind from reaching him.

 

[adore]

I agree they don't come back up. Charlie has had several burrows. One went under the fence under the neighbor's yard. I have no idea how the neighbor knew it was there as it was 4 or 5 feet below the ground but he made us fill it back up. The last burrow Charlie dug was huge. He never stopped digging. It went about 6 feet in one direction, angling down, then made a 1/4 turn and came up about a foot and continued on. Any water would end up in the low part and the bend keep the wind from reaching him.

That's amazing!!

 

[RayRay]

I agree they don't come back up. Charlie has had several burrows. One went under the fence under the neighbor's yard. I have no idea how the neighbor knew it was there as it was 4 or 5 feet below the ground but he made us fill it back up. The last burrow Charlie dug was huge. He never stopped digging. It went about 6 feet in one direction, angling down, then made a 1/4 turn and came up about a foot and continued on. Any water would end up in the low part and the bend keep the wind from reaching him.

Did your tortoise go to engineering school?

 

[Tom]

I agree they don't come back up. Charlie has had several burrows. One went under the fence under the neighbor's yard. I have no idea how the neighbor knew it was there as it was 4 or 5 feet below the ground but he made us fill it back up. The last burrow Charlie dug was huge. He never stopped digging. It went about 6 feet in one direction, angling down, then made a 1/4 turn and came up about a foot and continued on. Any water would end up in the low part and the bend keep the wind from reaching him.

I've been down a few burrows before, but I've never seen one do what you describe. Fascinating.

Tell me. Did the burrow turn to the right. All the ones I've seen turn to the right.

Someday I'd like to find out if they turn to the left in the southern hemisphere.

 

[Big Charlie]

I've been down a few burrows before, but I've never seen one do what you describe. Fascinating.

Tell me. Did the burrow turn to the right. All the ones I've seen turn to the right.

Someday I'd like to find out if they turn to the left in the southern hemisphere.

Yes, it turned to the right.

 

[Tank'sMom]

Tank dug a 20 foot "tunnel" one summer while we were gone for the weekend. Lol. They can dig fast!!! But he's dig several. Always down. Never up and out.

 

[Tank'sMom]

Yes, Tanks always turn to the right as well....