I can't do it anymore

[PalestTortie]

I am not an expert but could the glass be a problem? She can see through it and she tries go through it....

Nope. Definitely not. Not with how she's hissing, frantically running about and trying to bulldoze everything on her way

 

[PalestTortie]

As it is summer now, she might expect longer photoperiod and seek a basking spot. You can adjust basking lamp timer to switch on at 6.30AM. Some more hiding spots and shaded areas could also help (a good point by zovick).

Will do that for sure. I have a wooden log hut and a cork tube, but just scared she too big for those now

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I dunno, I expect she'd already be acting like this if that were the case tbh.


I have measured the distance, it is between 18-20", so not worried about this.

Why would I even cut it off for a week? My anxiety is crippling as is, and I would hate to gamble with her health. Let alone this "panic attack" episode

I do understand and agree with you here, it's not the best thing, but I'm talking in case I won't be able to find the root cause.

I will call the shop I got her from, I'll try hitting up a zoo, a vet to see if they have any ideas.

Isn't there a chance she could be dreaming? Like bad dreams, kind of nightmares? I'm out of ideas~

I can promise you a week or two with no UV will do absolutely no harm, they store it in their body for months, it’ll help you rule out if the uvb bulb is causing this behaviour

Usually the shops here in the uk don’t have the best advice, zoos and some vets can be even worse, if you reach out for advice I’d double check by posting it here

I understand if your sentiment is that you’re worried you aren’t housing her properly so a new home is for the best, but there’s nothing obviously wrong with your husbandry and finding a good new home in the uk can be tricky, most folks aren’t willing to give them the space they need once full grown or they’re following outdated information.

I’d at least give shutting off the uv a go, if the behaviour stops after a few days, you’ll have found the issue, if not we’ll continue looking into other possibilities, don’t give up, you got this! We’re all here to support

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I do second that some more coverage, be it plants or another hide would be worth adding too

 

[PalestTortie]

I can promise you a week or two with no UV will do absolutely no harm, they store it in their body for months, it’ll help you rule out if the uvb bulb is causing this behaviour

Usually the shops here in the uk don’t have the best advice, zoos and some vets can be even worse, if you reach out for advice I’d double check by posting it here

I understand if your sentiment is that you’re worried you aren’t housing her properly so a new home is for the best, but there’s nothing obviously wrong with your husbandry and finding a good new home in the uk can be tricky, most folks aren’t willing to give them the space they need once full grown or they’re following outdated information.

I’d at least give shutting off the uv a go, if the behaviour stops after a few days, you’ll have found the issue, if not we’ll continue looking into other possibilities, don’t give up, you got this! We’re all here to support

Ah, had no idea they store it in them. That's pretty neat! I'll shut it off for the week or so then

Still pretty weird nothing has affected her that much until very recently. The first time this happened was when I walked into the room, she freaked out randomly. Like, nothing's even changed in my room...

Why would she be fine for a year then just start having "panic attacks" (best I can describe it)? I don't understand.. It's all frustrating and my own mental health isn't allowing me to deal with this properly. I get so anxious and overwhelmed to the point of just want to let go :/

I cannot seem to read a tortoise as well as I can read a lizard... If I won't be able to find the root cause and fix what's needed to be fixed then I'm afraid I might not be the tort owner for her

 

[PalestTortie]

I do second that some more coverage, be it plants or another hide would be worth adding too

For plants, I only have epiprenum aurenum. Leaves are high up so I wouldn't worry about her chewing it up

I'll also add clean small branches, some more flat rocks I can find, the cork piece I got, the wooden log hide and the cork tube (if she fits in, don't want her getting stuck also..)

 

[PalestTortie]

Ah, had no idea they store it in them. That's pretty neat! I'll shut it off for the week or so then

Still pretty weird nothing has affected her that much until very recently. The first time this happened was when I walked into the room, she freaked out randomly. Like, nothing's even changed in my room...

Why would she be fine for a year then just start having "panic attacks" (best I can describe it)? I don't understand.. It's all frustrating and my own mental health isn't allowing me to deal with this properly. I get so anxious and overwhelmed to the point of just want to let go :/

I cannot seem to read a tortoise as well as I can read a lizard... If I won't be able to find the root cause and fix what's needed to be fixed then I'm afraid I might not be the tort owner for her

Bit skeptical about shutting UVB off though. Like, the lights come on at 7am. She freaked out before any light even came on

That surely is a mystery to me

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Ah, had no idea they store it in them. That's pretty neat! I'll shut it off for the week or so then

Still pretty weird nothing has affected her that much until very recently. The first time this happened was when I walked into the room, she freaked out randomly. Like, nothing's even changed in my room...

Why would she be fine for a year then just start having "panic attacks" (best I can describe it)? I don't understand.. It's all frustrating and my own mental health isn't allowing me to deal with this properly. I get so anxious and overwhelmed to the point of just want to let go :/

I cannot seem to read a tortoise as well as I can read a lizard... If I won't be able to find the root cause and fix what's needed to be fixed then I'm afraid I might not be the tort owner for her

I can definitely see why you’re skeptical, I don’t have the highest hopes if the uv wasn’t causing this before, but it’s the only thing that currently springs to mind to try, but granted this could be something needing further investigation, does she eat and poop perfectly fine?

I completely understand pet anxiety so can definitely sympathise with your situation and now have a better understanding on why you’re considering rehome, don’t give up just yet though, I’m sure we can all help getting to the bottom of this for you

Bit skeptical about shutting UVB off though. Like, the lights come on at 7am. She freaked out before any light even came on

That surely is a mystery to me

if she was acting like this before the lights came on, then you’re probably right that it’s not the uvb causing this, it won’t do any harm in testing the theory by keeping it off for a bit, I’m hoping others will chime in with more suggestions if it doesn’t work.

Have you noticed anything troubling in the substrate? Little white jumping bug(springtails) are no worry, but an excessive amount of gnats might be annoying her, would you say there’s quite a lot of fungus gnats in there? Hopefully the daily spot cleans and turnovers will help reduce the fly issue, there’s definitely no black ants or anything?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

If it eases your anxiety in any way, please know there’s genuinely nothing obvious that springs out that you could be doing to cause this, your care sounds and looks pretty ideal!

 

[Megatron's Mom]

Is your room getting light in it from either with window or light form another room? The reason I ask is you mentioned that the first time she did this was when you entered the room. She may not like seeing shadows in the room and the lack of hiding places freaks her out. I would cover the sides so she can't see out and hopefully that also makes the shadows less likely to startle her. It makes sense that it happens before her light turns on, because her area would be lit up and not have the scary shadows creeping in.

I have a nearly 20lb pound sulcata and if I come up from behind her still to this day she freaks out. Tucks back into her shell, and sometimes even scout backwards in the process.

 

[PalestTortie]

if she was acting like this before the lights came on, then you’re probably right that it’s not the uvb causing this, it won’t do any harm in testing the theory by keeping it off for a bit, I’m hoping others will chime in with more suggestions if it doesn’t work.

Have you noticed anything troubling in the substrate? Little white jumping bug(springtails) are no worry, but an excessive amount of gnats might be annoying her, would you say there’s quite a lot of fungus gnats in there? Hopefully the daily spot cleans and turnovers will help reduce the fly issue, there’s definitely no black ants or anything?

I have turned off her UVB for now.

She generally goes crazy over her food, but mostly she eats a bit then leaves the food. Then goes back to eating, depending on how much I give her, she'll still leave a bit of food behind.

I tried spot cleaning and drying the soil out to try reducing the fungus gnats, but to no avail

But I think I'll just remove the bark completely, especially that she is reaching two years old so I can now let her off humidity.
I'm starting my new job on Wednesday, so I'll start getting her new soil bit by bit, and we'll go bioactive actually. Nothing excessive on plants, might probably just get an aloe vera. Blue powder isopods, will aim to look for arid spring tails... Leaf litter... Yeah, nothing so special

For hides, I have the flexi stick hut, log hut, a cork tunnel in which she might not even fit in..
What hides would you recommend for her? Ideally that would last her until full adulthood.

Is your room getting light in it from either with window or light form another room? The reason I ask is you mentioned that the first time she did this was when you entered the room. She may not like seeing shadows in the room and the lack of hiding places freaks her out. I would cover the sides so she can't see out and hopefully that also makes the shadows less likely to startle her. It makes sense that it happens before her light turns on, because her area would be lit up and not have the scary shadows creeping in.

I have a nearly 20lb pound sulcata and if I come up from behind her still to this day she freaks out. Tucks back into her shell, and sometimes even scout backwards in the process.

Yes, there's enough ambient light in my room. From grow light for my plants, bioactive terrarium light, fish tank light... and finally my window..

 

[COmtnLady]

But I think I'll just remove the bark completely, especially that she is reaching two years old so I can now let her off humidity.

The bark is the best substrate possible. There are many more problems with soil. Unless you compost it yourself (or dig it out of your yard from a spot you are sure hasn't been sprayed or fertilized for enough time that any chemicals will have dissipated) you won't know what is actually in it. Most commercially sold soil has vermiculite/pearlite in it - which the tort WILL eat at some point, and which can cause intestinal impaction. Even ones marked as "organic" can have poisonous/noxious plants in them.

 

[Maggie3fan]

Just a random thought...we, as their keepers, are to them giant predators...could you all the sudden (to her) show up and she acts like that? Maybe you are standing over her looking down when this happens...sorry about your experience with orchid bark, I have had the same soil in 2 of my tort tables in the house for 20 years. The same orchid bark...one of the tables contained a Redfoot with the corresponding heat and humidity and yet I have never experienced what you describe...I spot clean as needed and stir the whole stuff up maybe once a month...frankly, I love it...

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I have turned off her UVB for now.

She generally goes crazy over her food, but mostly she eats a bit then leaves the food. Then goes back to eating, depending on how much I give her, she'll still leave a bit of food behind.

I tried spot cleaning and drying the soil out to try reducing the fungus gnats, but to no avail

But I think I'll just remove the bark completely, especially that she is reaching two years old so I can now let her off humidity.
I'm starting my new job on Wednesday, so I'll start getting her new soil bit by bit, and we'll go bioactive actually. Nothing excessive on plants, might probably just get an aloe vera. Blue powder isopods, will aim to look for arid spring tails... Leaf litter... Yeah, nothing so special

For hides, I have the flexi stick hut, log hut, a cork tunnel in which she might not even fit in..
What hides would you recommend for her? Ideally that would last her until full adulthood.


Yes, there's enough ambient light in my room. From grow light for my plants, bioactive terrarium light, fish tank light... and finally my window..

That’s ok, sounds like normal eating habits, they graze throughout the day

I’d highly encourage sticking with the orchid bark, but maybe give her a deep clean and start fresh? Keeping up with the mixing etc, it has to be maintained properly. You can still go bioactive with it too

Hide wise, perhaps an opaque container? Turned upside down with an entrance hole cut out, you could get one big enough to last her

 

[Megatron's Mom]

Yes, there's enough ambient light in my room. From grow light for my plants, bioactive terrarium light, fish tank light... and finally my window..

With her excellent eye sight I bet that is what's going on. I would either set her lights to run on earlier and add something to the walls of her enclosure so she can't see out. Adding more to her enclosure for her to hide in will help also.

 

[ryan57]

Maybe the enclosure is too small and she's upset, trying to get away. You never mentioned what species the tortoise is. Would it be possible to make an outdoor enclosure for the tortoise?

Guaranteed!!

 

[Chefdenoel10]

With all the post I’ve read above I get the feeling your baby is getting crawled on by these “mold gnats” as you said.
All things mentioned are possible but I have seen my tortoise “freak out” and it’s usually because of something instant.
Like :
Pain
A bite from a bug or something in there that she/he wants immediately away from.
When a torts head goes inside it’s because of fear or pain.
Banging against the walls tells me that he/she is trying to get away from what is hurting her/him repeatedly..
Pretend you are outside and a wasp keeps flying around your head. Don’t you swat at it and then run away?
What if it chases you???
You keep swatting and running right?

I feel soooo bad for both you and your tortoise I want to help so much!!!
I know what anxiety you are feeling because you feel helpless. PLUS ITS FREAKIN’ SCARY AND HAPPENS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!!! I totally get it in every way.

So, try checking her/his body for bite marks or scratches,cuts, nails missing or bent outta shape or nose area scratch or sore/cracked beak or anything wrong with a foot that when she /he steps down it goes up her/his foot? Like a dogs paw.. when they get something in there they go bonkers.!
But I definitely feel like it’s because of pain.
Head in and hissing and bagging..
That’s what I’d do if I were in pain!!!

Good luck
I will be watching for updates!
Keep asking questions till you get it solved!!
DONT GIVE UP!!!!!!!

 

[SafariWoman]

Forgive me if someone already asked this, but is he pooping normally? My sulcata was acting very distressed, in a similar manner to what you describe, and eventually he passed a very large, hard, urate. Also, when he has gas, this can cause discomfort and pain. He would withdraw his head into his shell and act very restless, trying to pass the gas (sorry for being so graphic). I have found that warm, daily, soaks, for at least 30 minutes, has helped tremendously by keeping everything moving smoothly. Just a suggestion.

 

[Sarah2020]

A lot of people have debunked this being an issue, but personally I think a visual barrier on glass doesn’t hurt, we have one in case

I tape the top 6 inches or so of my enc glass sliding doors as Speedy from a young age got agitated looking out of the glass. It is difficult to pinpoint the behaviour but I think it is something in the set up. I like the suggestion of some plants, I used fish aquarium ones, they like cover. I am a fan of orchid bark and found it was a game changer compared to others. Ensure fresh water is provided 24 x 7 and fresh leaves AM and cleared PM. Let us know how you get in. Lastly are you shallow warm water soaking regularly in a high sided container. This is beneficial for hydration.

 

[PalestTortie]

The bark is the best substrate possible. There are many more problems with soil. Unless you compost it yourself (or dig it out of your yard from a spot you are sure hasn't been sprayed or fertilized for enough time that any chemicals will have dissipated) you won't know what is actually in it. Most commercially sold soil has vermiculite/pearlite in it - which the tort WILL eat at some point, and which can cause intestinal impaction. Even ones marked as "organic" can have poisonous/noxious plants in them.

The bark IS NOT a good soil.
And who even said I was getting commercial soil? Lol

This is what bark did to the enclosure:

Expanded rotting middle support, and mold in every screw in the enclosure: