Inactive Tortoise

[joevovrosh]

For the last week or soo now my tortoise's are rarely awake, and i'm getting worried...
what is the normal daily activity for a tortoise?

 

[mctlong]

RE: Unactive Tortoise

For the last week or soo now my tortoise's are rarely awake, and i'm getting worried...
what is the normal daily activity for a tortoise?

Has there been a temperature change where you live over the past week? Tort can be very sensitive to temp flucutaions and will stay in hiding when they get too cool or too hot.

 

[joevovrosh]

RE: Unactive Tortoise

it has got quite abit warmer, do you suggest reducing the heat given off by the lamps?

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however they have an indoor enclosure as they are less than a year old, soo the temperature will only have risen acouple degrees at most within the house?

 

[mctlong]

RE: Unactive Tortoise

it has got quite abit warmer, do you suggest reducing the heat given off by the lamps?

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however they have an indoor enclosure as they are less than a year old, soo the temperature will only have risen acouple degrees at most within the house?

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It could help, but first I'd suggest measuring the temps in the enclosure to see if they're too warm. What kind of torts do you have?

 

[ascott]

RE: Unactive Tortoise

Is this a Hermann Tortoise? Regardless, temps are important .. If your overall temps have raised --then the indoor enclosure likely has as well...and a couple degrees can make a difference if your temps are already near the high end...

 

[joevovrosh]

RE: Unactive Tortoise

they are hermanns, what temperature should i aim for?

 

[GBtortoises]

RE: Unactive Tortoise

Active temperature ranges do vary a bit among the Hermann's subspecies but generally they are most active when the daytime temperatures are in the 70-84 degree range. Once the overall ambient temperature begins to climb above 84 degrees they will often seek shelter to escape the rising heat. Basking temperatures should be around 90-100 degrees for small tortoises but can be slightly higher for adults. The night time temperatures are as important as the daytime temperatures for Hermann's which are true temperate climate tortoises. There should be noticeable temperature differential from day to night with night time temperatures being in the low ti mid 50-low 60's range. Ideally, about 62 degrees should be the maximum night time temperature, cooler is better. Generally speaking, Eastern Hermann's, which are the most common in captivity, prefer and are more active at the lower ends of the temperature ranges, Dalmatian Hermann's somewhat warmer and Western Hermann's, which are not nearly as common, in the warmer levels of the above ranges.

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You also don't mention anything about lighting. Tortoises activity levels are very dependent upon not only temperatures but the amount of light, the intensity of light, dryness (or dampness) and other environmental factors. But the main three are temperatures, light duration and light intensity.

 

[ascott]

Gb has given awesome info....

also please keep in mind that if you are of the mind set to do the "fully humid enclosure full time" then you will want to address temps to not be lower than 80 degrees ever...just needed to mention this as if you are going to house in high humid environment (wet soil and high air humidity) the temps will also need to be higher than what is normal for the species....I hope you do not mind my pop in GB on this..

 

[GBtortoises]

I'm not sure where the philosophy of the temperature never being allowed to drop below 80 degrees "ever" in a humid environment has started. But it simply is not true. Not at least for temperate climate species which is what OP is asking about. Constant excessively high temperatures are a catalyst for accelerated growth in captivity. It might be a somewhat valid practice with tropical species and maybe even some arid species (debatable) but certainly not with temperate climate species. In reality, as temperatures increases relative humidity decreases. The higher you raise the temperature in an enclosed system, the more moisture you have to provide it to keep the humidity up. Without adequate air exchange, which isn't constant in an enclosed system, or it wouldn't be considered and enclosed system, this creates excessive condensation, stagnant air and a hotbed for mold and bacterial growth. While higher than mid range (mid range being 50%) ambient humidity levels are desirable for many species, including most temperate climate species, It does not need to be at the high end of the percentage range or accompanied with high temperatures. Also, in captivity, as in the wild, under normal conditions will steadily decrease as heat is applied. When the sun comes out (lights come on) the absolute (also referred to as ambient) and relative humidity will naturally decrease. In other words no tortoise lives in a constant state of high temperatures along with excessively high humidity 24/7. Those that do in captivity usually end up exhibiting very obvious signs of accelerated growth which may include deformities and may also be affected by respiratory problems. For temperate climate species, it is very common (and natural) for them to experience temperatures anywhere from the low-mid 50's to low 60's with a high mid range (65-75%) ambient humidity. This is also why on hot, dry days Testudo species almost always seek cool, damp hiding areas, not necessarily cool, dry ones. This is how they best conserve body moisture. The same general husbandry information does not apply to temperate, arid and tropical species all in the same way.

 

[ascott]

While higher than mid range (mid range being 50%) ambient humidity levels are desirable for many species, including most temperate climate species, It does not need to be at the high end of the percentage range or accompanied with high temperatures. Also, in captivity, as in the wild, under normal conditions will steadily decrease as heat is applied. When the sun comes out (lights come on) the absolute (also referred to as ambient) and relative humidity will naturally decrease.


This is not the case in a captive situation where folks practice high constant humidity and never offer a time where heat can decrease humidity---when folks maintain this un natural high humidity in a captive environment then turn their lights and heat off-in the night-you then have a tort that is now in an environment in which the humidity now increases during the night hours and the tort has no choice but to sit in that wet cold environment---which creates a tort in a URI situation--- this is what happens all too often and it is nothing to do with a natural environment at all.....so, I am simply pointing out that if someone is going to use the newer system of high humidity 24/7 in a controlled captive environment then to let the temps drop below 80 is asking for trouble....simply really