Adopted a Hermann’s tortoise found roaming in tropical 65-85f humid climate. We made a 10’ circle enclosure with bask, hill, tunnel, cave. Lots of veggies planted, and if it gets too cold/wet we bring him inside in a cardboard chariot. He still wants to escape! We have had him 2 months but given any chance he will break out like he wants to go home. What do people think? He was likely roaming feral quite awhile and don’t know his age. But has at least a 7” shell. He always heads uphill. Will he ever consider our yard his territory? I feel it would be wrong (and illegal) to release him or give to someone with a glass cage. (Not a native species to Hawaii) thought I should ask people with more knowledge. Thanks!
New tortoise friend advice
- Thread starter Mak
- Start date
Did you first try to find the rightful owner? That's the first thing you should have done and if you didn't, you should now.
If the owner isn't found, then it's yours. As you can see, he tries to escape, and that might be how the owners lost him.
An adult needs a minimum of a 4x8 foot enclosure bigger if you can. Shade, water, and all the other things you added to his enclosure can be added to the 4x8 too.
Because he had the taste of endless roaming, he wants it again. Build a large enclosure and eventually he will or should settle in.
If the owner isn't found, then it's yours. As you can see, he tries to escape, and that might be how the owners lost him.
An adult needs a minimum of a 4x8 foot enclosure bigger if you can. Shade, water, and all the other things you added to his enclosure can be added to the 4x8 too.
Because he had the taste of endless roaming, he wants it again. Build a large enclosure and eventually he will or should settle in.
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Going off what wellington has already said, yes try and find the original owner, if they can’t be found definitely don’t release him, it sounds like you have a little escape artist on your hands, which a lot of our cute little tort friends are lol, hence its super important to provide a secure enclosure, he has that taste for freedom😂but with a big enough space they’ll hopefully settle down for you😊
Alex and the Redfoot
Well-Known Member
Hi!
Are the enclosure walls opaque or meshed? If he sees through he tries to go through. Also he might want to find a safer place (maybe enclosure has not enough deep shade or something). Can you post a photo?
And, of course, after roaming wild for a little he will have this wanderlust. It may take more than 2 months for him to settle down.
Trying to figure out how to post a pic! we had a 10-12ft circular rock wall area about 20 inches high that was unused. We blocked the steps with a solid fence, and put ledges over potential escape routes so he can’t see. But he sees me come in and out for feeding and keeps staring at the spot. This dude is smart and I think wanderlust is the perfect word!
Alex and the Redfoot
Well-Known Member
Ah.. It looks like you can't add photos in "Tortoise Forum Contests" section 
I'll ask the moderators to move the thread to Introductions to fix the issue with photos.
I eager to see his enclosure
I'll ask the moderators to move the thread to Introductions to fix the issue with photos.
I eager to see his enclosure
Yes the lady before tried to locate an owner then homed him for quite awhile -she had another big tortoise (it kept humping him so he needed his own spot) I hope he settles, guess it just takes time. Sometimes he’s happy sometimes sassy what we have built him so far!
Let me know I saw the email come through. Thank you!! I appreciate advice since this lil guy might be in my will after all 😊Ah.. It looks like you can't add photos in "Tortoise Forum Contests" section
I'll ask the moderators to move the thread to Introductions to fix the issue with photos.
I eager to see his enclosure
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
I think I can see some of it in your profile picture? The bit I’m seeing looks really cool!
You should now be able to post pics. Your thread is now under the Hermanns section.
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Yay! I want to see all of it! Looks really nice from what I can make out!
I’m not good at forums! I didn’t know it was contests section. I’ll listen to any instructions
im pretty sure I may be responding incorrectly on here as I am not used to forums.
it was like a 2ft tortoise ours is 8 inches. Guy was pounding him in the ground. We made him a couple hills to get on top! Hawaii will always have feral animal issues due to housing. But we have a yard so I say bring em! I didn’t know I posted on the contest thread but hewlett may win.
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Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
So to upload a picture of your enclosure, follow these 2 steps(pic attached)if you already have some photos of it on whatever device you're using click ‘photo library’ then select the photos of your enclosure, if you don’t already have some, select ‘take photo’ and go outside to get some😊
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Alex and the Redfoot
Well-Known Member
Don't worry about starting a thread in Contests. This tortoise is definitely a winner
I have looked at your profile picture - the enclosure is so good! You can expand it, if possible, and plant some dense bushes - like hibiscus. 75 sq.ft. is a decent size, but Hewlett wants more of that goodness. Perhaps, 150-200 sq.ft. should calm him down.
Thank you!
Yep put in the profile. Ongoing project! lucky I had slow work this month. So been watching him. At first he said NO quit looking at me!! But I see him on the hill basking now that we have more sun.
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
No problem! Bless him🥰he’s a stunning looking tort!🐢
a couple better pics I hope. We dug large cinder blocks in and piled rocks around it - found out he had a hard time on the rock. So then we packed it dirt and covered with moss and fern roots-it will look a lot cooler once those grow up.
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He goes on supervised walks in the main yard and always wants in the guinea pig pen. This is what he does when he’s in. Tunneling things he can’t fit in. *its GPS on his shell because we know he is good at escapes* hope this is not inhumane for him it’s just taped on. But you guys let me know?
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Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Wow! You’ve made a lovely little area for your new friend here! I’m impressed!
I’d probably personally opt to keep him out of the guinea pig pen(adorable btw! I used to have guinea pigs, I loved them!!) because I’m not sure if they can possibly pass things on to one another through faeces, id definitely keep them separate too and id hate to think of one of the nipping the other lol.
As for the tracking, it sounds pretty smart considering your guys history here but I can’t answer to the safety of it, perhaps these guys can answer to that @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Tom I’m also not 100% if the moss is ok here, but maybe for the size and landscape of this enclosure it is.
Either way very cool space, well done!😊
I’d probably personally opt to keep him out of the guinea pig pen(adorable btw! I used to have guinea pigs, I loved them!!) because I’m not sure if they can possibly pass things on to one another through faeces, id definitely keep them separate too and id hate to think of one of the nipping the other lol.
As for the tracking, it sounds pretty smart considering your guys history here but I can’t answer to the safety of it, perhaps these guys can answer to that @wellington @Alex and the Redfoot @Tom I’m also not 100% if the moss is ok here, but maybe for the size and landscape of this enclosure it is.
Either way very cool space, well done!😊
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