Extremely odd behavior from Sulcata

[drew54]

If it's alive it needs water. Unless it's a spider then you ship it to Tom. I just creeped myself out.

 

[lizysexpistol]

So he's got his usual night box that he walks into every night. In the past 3 months or so, I can count maybe 2-3 times where he's voluntarily slept OUTSIDE. We've always put him back in.

About a week ago, at around 2am, he RANDOMLY walks out of his night box and just sleeps outside. Bear in mind, the temperature INSIDE the night box is about 80-85F while the temperature OUTSIDE is anywhere between 40-45F.

Well guess what? He did it again! Except not at 2am, but right now at around 7pm. I placed him back inside....30 minutes later, he's out again! I placed him inside....and literally 10 minutes later he's back out! What in the world is going on?

The second time I caught him walking outside the night box, he was in the middle of the backyard grassy lawn with his head sticking inside the grass (it almost looked like he was drinking, very odd!) I tapped his head a few times and usually that'll make him go back inside his shell, but this time, it didn't! I finally picked him up and placed him back inside.

What the heck is going on? The tort is well-fed and everything is normal. I just find this behavior extremely odd (especially with him sticking his head in the grass like that). If I catch him outside again, I'll take a few photos!

Argh help!

My tort did this a few times, i realized his night box was too hot. Once i would lower the temp, he would stay inside. At the time i was using a infrared basking bulb. What heat source do you use?

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[thegame2388]

My tort did this a few times, i realized his night box was too hot. Once i would lower the temp, he would stay inside. At the time i was using a infrared basking bulb. What heat source do you use?

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I use an oil heater so it doesn't dry up the place. Like I said, I've been doing this for 5 years and this was the first time ever.

 

[thegame2388]

So you don't have a water source for your tortoise outside? Ever? That's not cool man. They need to be able to get a drink of water whenever they want.

And your night box needs a door. If you give them the opportunity to harm themselves, like by going outside on a cold night, they will do it sometimes. Shut the tortoise in every night and open the door every morning. This will help keep the temps warmer too.

Never gave him water straight up like this. He's been getting his water source from the occasional romaine lettuce and watermelon (both of which are about 95% water anyway).

Since our recent move, I moved away from feeding him romaine so I'm guessing this is why he suddenly became "thirsty".

 

[Cheryl Hills]

Never gave him water straight up like this. He's been getting his water source from the occasional romaine lettuce and watermelon (both of which are about 95% water anyway).

Since our recent move, I moved away from feeding him romaine so I'm guessing this is why he suddenly became "thirsty".

They need water at all times.

 

[Hippytort]

Poor guy just wanted a drink! Mine drinks almost every day. He puts his head under water for the longest time. So long it scares me at times!
Very nice and healthy looking tortoise, surprising for one that has never had access to a water!

 

[thegame2388]

Poor guy just wanted a drink! Mine drinks almost every day. He puts his head under water for the longest time. So long it scares me at times!
Very nice and healthy looking tortoise, surprising for one that has never had access to a water!

Thank you. He does look healthy indeed!


This is my yearly November/December comparison photo. With the same prop!