Hides, hideouts, caves - probably a dumb question

[Mrgeez]

I just put in my “hides” on my work in progress enclosure. I looked at lots of pics. Some hides were “walk thru”, while others had only one entrance. My dumb, “Don’t laugh” question is this, and remember i never had a tort……Can tortoises walk backwards out a one entrance hide assuming there isn’t enough room for the tort to turn himself around? The pics below are my 2 log hides and my cave hide. All 3 are probably not wide enough for an adult russian or hermanns to turn around in.

 

[GeorgeAndOtisTheTortoise]

As an inexperienced Tort owner I can only only assume that a Tortoise can walk backwards. It seems logical that they could walk backwards. It’s just that if your Hide is not big enough for your tort to turn around it is probably not big enough for your Tortoise to have, anyway hope my slightly useless Answer helps you and your tort (What’s his/her name?) Again, I am not too experienced in the tortoise subject but this is just a logical answer, again… Hope it helps.

 

[TammyJ]

As an inexperienced Tort owner I can only only assume that a Tortoise can walk backwards. It seems logical that they could walk backwards. It’s just that if your Hide is not big enough for your tort to turn around it is probably not big enough for your Tortoise to have, anyway hope my slightly useless Answer helps you and your tort (What’s his/her name?) Again, I am not too experienced in the tortoise subject but this is just a logical answer, again… Hope it helps.

I totally agree. Tortoise should be able to turn around in any hide with no problem. Even if he can walk backwards, he may not actually think of it! It's not natural.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I just put in my “hides” on my work in progress enclosure. I looked at lots of pics. Some hides were “walk thru”, while others had only one entrance. My dumb, “Don’t laugh” question is this, and remember i never had a tort……Can tortoises walk backwards out a one entrance hide assuming there isn’t enough room for the tort to turn himself around? The pics below are my 2 log hides and my cave hide. All 3 are probably not wide enough for an adult russian or hermanns to turn around in. View attachment 384706

View attachment 384707

View attachment 384708

They can walk backwards if they really have to. They sometimes wedge themselves under roots, logs and bushes for the night. Some space to turn around is desirable but not critical. Adult tortoise can dig in substrate or just walk away with a log on its back.

I see no concerns with the hides on photos. They look realy nice.

 

[Yvonne G]

They don't really 'walk' backwards, but rather push themselves back with all four feet.

 

[Squirt the Dalmation]

Hey. My little guy, Crush, seems to only know how to get out of his bath bowl backwards. And for reference he's a Russian. Of all the times I've watched him maneuver out of it, it's always backwards.
Hope that sorta helps!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Agree with above, they technically can if needed, I’ve seen squirt do it when she’s wedged herself by her cave in the cornerbut they do tend to prefer turning around, I don’t think your hides will be a problem for a Russian though, they look good

 

[Mrgeez]

Thanks members for your input. I widened them as much as possible anyways. I also attached a vid showing my latest updates.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thanks members for your input. I widened them as much as possible anyways. I also attached a vid showing my latest updates.

It’s looking incredible!! I like the new stone slabs! Nice basking spots