My tortoise doesn't like his new house!

Sherrythetortoise

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So I just got my tortoise a new house

And he seems unhappy with it :/ he prefers the old room i used to put him in

Before I bought the house I used to keep him inside a room with moquette and likes it he walks a lot in there and seems happy

But whenever he's in his new house he seems to be mad and he wants to get out

Although his new house has substrate that I thought he might like
 

JoesMum

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I agree that photos will help us to help you.

Some tortoises can be very slow to adapt to change. In their minds, a new home may be occupied by dangerous things and other tortoises that will need fighting off.

It can take a long time for a tortoise to decide everything is safe, so all you can do is leave him alone to be brave and explore without loud noises or unexpectedly being picked up.

Please post photos of the enclosure and lighting in any case so we can take a look and see if there's anything obvious causing stress
 

Big Charlie

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JoesMum

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You tort is a Hermann's I believe.

Sand is not a suitable substrate. It sticks to damp food, gets eaten and then impacts in the gut.

These tortoises should not be kept in very dry conditions. They need water.

They also must get UVB light, either from the sun or from a lamp. UVB does not pass through window glass.

I suggest you read these on the correct care of your tortoise and compare them with what you do.

They're written by species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Hermann's Tortoise Care
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/
 

Tidgy's Dad

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View attachment 220633View attachment 220634View attachment 220635

It has a hide place
reptile sand
And bark fir for bedding
Reptile sand is for lizards and snakes and things, not for tortoises. Sand is too dry and can cause impaction if ingested. Change it for more of your fir bark.
Please read https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
and https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
I know your tortoise is a Hermann's but the same information applies equally well.
You must introduce a water dish, a cheap terracotta plant saucer sunk into the substrate and big enough to soak in is good, and a tile or piece of rough slate for the tortoise to eat off.
 
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Sherrythetortoise

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You tort is a Hermann's I believe.

Sand is not a suitable substrate. It sticks to damp food, gets eaten and then impacts in the gut.

These tortoises should not be kept in very dry conditions. They need water.

They also must get UVB light, either from the sun or from a lamp. UVB does not pass through window glass.

I suggest you read these on the correct care of your tortoise and compare them with what you do.

They're written by species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Hermann's Tortoise Care
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/sticky-hermanns-tortoise-care-sheet-updated.101410/

Thanks for the useful infos
I don't use heat lamp cause the temperature is about 96 outdoor and 85-87 indoor
During the day and almost 83-80 at night
Idk if I still need them tho
 

Sherrythetortoise

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Sand is not a good substrate for tortoises. Other than the hide, it is barren. There is nothing of interest. He needs sight barriers, things to walk around. Maybe some plants.

I didn't want to use plants cause they may catch some insects? Idk
 

JoesMum

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Thanks for the useful infos
I don't use heat lamp cause the temperature is about 96 outdoor and 85-87 indoor
During the day and almost 83-80 at night
Idk if I still need them tho

There are two types of light that a tortoise needs to be healthy if it is kept indoors.

It needs a heat lamp to bask under at 95-100F/35-37C. The heat lamp enables it to warm up and digest it's food properly as well as enabling it to have the energy for the day.

It needs UVB light which it uses to create Vitamin D which, in turn, helps it to absorb calcium from its food. Without UVB a tortoise will develop a soft shell and weak bones and it will die.

Tortoises kept outside get these naturally from the sun. Those kept inside must have lamps instead.
 

Erik Elvis

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I just moved my lights around in the cage and my tort seemed perturbed for a few days.
 
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