Help! (Constant glass surfing)

[Cleopatra23]

I just got my tortoise 2 days ago and all he does is pace the walls of his container and scratches at the glass, is this normal behavior?

 

[Golden Greek Tortoise 567]

He might just be trying to explore and get used to his new enclosure. Or you might have a too small enclosure. Is your tort an adult? What type of tortoise?

 

[Golden Greek Tortoise 567]

Btw, welcome to the forum!

 

[Cleopatra23]

Btw, welcome to the forum!

Thank you

 

[Cleopatra23]

He's not an adult and he's in a 40gal tank, I'm unsure about his type

 

[Golden Greek Tortoise 567]

Pictures please

 

[Cleopatra23]

 

[Cleopatra23]

Also he hasn't eaten for since I got him

 

[Golden Greek Tortoise 567]

That’s an adult Russian tortoise I’d say 10-15 yrs.

 

[Golden Greek Tortoise 567]

The not eating is normal, but if he doesn’t eat for a week then there is a problem

 

[Cleopatra23]

Oh

 

[Golden Greek Tortoise 567]

What are your temps? The basking spot should be 95-100°F and the rest of the enclosure should be 80°F

 

[Golden Greek Tortoise 567]

Could you take some pictures of the tail? I could tell you if your tort is male or female. The tortoise will need an enclosure of at LEAST 8 feet by 4 feet since he is an adult.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Welcome....id work on getting a much larger enclosure.

Care Sheet/Info - https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

 

[Golden Greek Tortoise 567]

That care sheet will tell you everything you need to know, it’s also easier than me telling you everything.

 

[saleena.lewis]

I hate to bring the bad news but glass tanks just aren't suitable for adult tortoises. I would recommend custom building an enclosure that is about 6 feet by 3 feet for a russian tortoise. You can look up videos on how to make a tortoise table out of wood. The pacing is most likely because the enclosure is too small. The not eating is typical but if it lasts any longer then you have a problem and you may need to see a vet.

 

[Golden Greek Tortoise 567]

6 by 3 is still smaller, 8 by 4 would be much better. I agree with @saleena.lewis glass tanks work for babies, but not adult Russians unless you have a 200 gallon tank or something that’s really big. Building your own tortoise table is cheaper, I would recommend doing that.

 

[Golden Greek Tortoise 567]

For tort enclosures the bigger the better!

 

[Yvonne G]

. . . or a safe, escape-proof OUTDOOR enclosure is even better!

 

[Cleopatra23]

Sorry I'm at work, the temp is a little flux but its 75 in most of the tank and the basking spot is 100