We changed the substrate for the outdoor enclosure where our two new juvenile CDTs live today and they went a little bonkers. On the advice of folks here on the forum, we swapped out sand for regular dirt. Nothing else changed -- the water and food dishes, plants, rocks and hide are all where they were, just covered with a different substrate.
Anyway, the torts paced the enclosure for hours, and the little one, Morticia, flipped herself twice trying to get out, something she's never done in the month she was living in the exact same layout.
They both ate and drank more than normal, and stayed out later than usual but eventually went to bed in their hide. So, were they stressed out by the change or just curious? I couldn't figure it out. One theory I have is that the added dirt raised the level of the enclosure so they can now see over the wall, which is perhaps inspiring them to stage a prison break.
Anyway, I've attached a picture of their enclosure. On the top right you can see Morticia on the march. Gomez is chowing down at his dish.
Holler if you see anything problematic about the setup.
Oh, and I forgot to mention there's a stone tortoise outside the enclosure -- a gift a friend dropped off. Anyway, don't be thrown. He's not real. Just the cuties inside are.
Anyway, the torts paced the enclosure for hours, and the little one, Morticia, flipped herself twice trying to get out, something she's never done in the month she was living in the exact same layout.
They both ate and drank more than normal, and stayed out later than usual but eventually went to bed in their hide. So, were they stressed out by the change or just curious? I couldn't figure it out. One theory I have is that the added dirt raised the level of the enclosure so they can now see over the wall, which is perhaps inspiring them to stage a prison break.
Anyway, I've attached a picture of their enclosure. On the top right you can see Morticia on the march. Gomez is chowing down at his dish.
Holler if you see anything problematic about the setup.
Oh, and I forgot to mention there's a stone tortoise outside the enclosure -- a gift a friend dropped off. Anyway, don't be thrown. He's not real. Just the cuties inside are.