Optimus Prime explores his new outdoor space.

[Megatron's Mom]

Optimus Prime is finally checking out his outside space. I think he's pretty happy. He didn't stop exploring and showed no fear. He found one hiding spot under his ramp. Then off he went to check out the rest of the yard. At least I'm at the point he can be outside now and safe. Now to get plants in the ground and the canopy up for more shade.

I was really surprised he had no issues plowing through the plastic flaps to get inside the enclosure.

I hope the video works.

 

[Tom]

All that beautiful grass!!! Lovely.

Police up all those cords. They will bite into them or get tangled in them in ways you won't be able to comprehend.

I'd also add a low wall on the side of his ramp so he doesn't fall off and end up upside down in the sun.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

All that beautiful grass!!! Lovely.

Police up all those cords. They will bite into them or get tangled in them in ways you won't be able to comprehend.

I'd also add a low wall on the side of his ramp so he doesn't fall off and end up upside down in the sun.

I already added the second railing. The cord on the outside has been moved, it's now in the air. I didn't get time to dig the trench. I wasn't expecting Optimus to go inside. That surprised me. That cord will be taken care of tomorrow. I didn't leave his side, just to make sure no nibbles on the cords. He's back in his inside enclosure. I'll give him a few days to work on getting the rest secured before he is out there full time.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

New question for today. Optimus has been going outside everyday in his new outdoor yard. First just afternoons so the shade was there. Last night we put up a canopy to offer shade in the morning/early afternoon.(I ordered two shade sails)I brought him outside this morning and he's been going all over non-stop. Eating, walking through his water, going up and down his ramp, going inside his enclosure.

Now my question is that because he is stressed? Normally he sleeps a lot more but I guess that could have been due to boredom? I'm just worried I'm might be missing cues of stress. I think if it was stress he wouldn't eat or come out of hiding if it was stress, right?

 

[ryan57]

New question for today. Optimus has been going outside everyday in his new outdoor yard. First just afternoons so the shade was there. Last night we put up a canopy to offer shade in the morning/early afternoon.(I ordered two shade sails)I brought him outside this morning and he's been going all over non-stop. Eating, walking through his water, going up and down his ramp, going inside his enclosure.

Now my question is that because he is stressed? Normally he sleeps a lot more but I guess that could have been due to boredom? I'm just worried I'm might be missing cues of stress. I think if it was stress he wouldn't eat or come out of hiding if it was stress, right?

Sounds happy exploring. I'm happy for you and... he's getting bigger. . .

 

[Megatron's Mom]

Sounds happy exploring. I'm happy for you and... he's getting bigger. . .

Thank you, I was hoping that was the case. Brought him back inside after a long soak he ate again and went straight to sleep.

 

[Christine and Jason]

Sounds very normal. Our Chimi walks all over the place. He Has to walk around the outside every day and make sure he can’t get out. Chimi loves to explore!

 

[Megatron's Mom]

Sounds very normal. Our Chimi walks all over the place. He Has to walk around the outside every day and make sure he can’t get out. Chimi loves to explore!

Thank you, never thought I would worry so much lol

 

[Big Charlie]

Thank you, never thought I would worry so much lol

Charlie walks around his entire yard every day. I think he is patrolling to make sure there are no intruders. Also, when he grazes, he'll eat in a spot, then walk all the way across the yard to another spot, all day long, rather than doing it systematically.

That's amazing he isn't afraid of the flaps. It took Charlie a long time to get used to them. I had to hold them open for him sometimes. They don't stay clean and clear for long.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

Charlie walks around his entire yard every day. I think he is patrolling to make sure there are no intruders. Also, when he grazes, he'll eat in a spot, then walk all the way across the yard to another spot, all day long, rather than doing it systematically.

That's amazing he isn't afraid of the flaps. It took Charlie a long time to get used to them. I had to hold them open for him sometimes. They don't stay clean and clear for long.

That is funny. Optimus has been snacking all over the place but never for long, I guess he needs to test out all the types of grass.

It really blew my mind how he just plowed right through them.

 

[Tom]

New question for today. Optimus has been going outside everyday in his new outdoor yard. First just afternoons so the shade was there. Last night we put up a canopy to offer shade in the morning/early afternoon.(I ordered two shade sails)I brought him outside this morning and he's been going all over non-stop. Eating, walking through his water, going up and down his ramp, going inside his enclosure.

Now my question is that because he is stressed? Normally he sleeps a lot more but I guess that could have been due to boredom? I'm just worried I'm might be missing cues of stress. I think if it was stress he wouldn't eat or come out of hiding if it was stress, right?

The great outdoors is generally more "stimulating" to our tortoises. Not only the extra space, grazing, and all of that sort of thing, but the UV and light spectrum and intensity is far superior to any indoor lighting that we provide. This true "full spectrum" intense sunlight stimulates them in ways we can't even imagine.

Generally speaking, when an animal is stressed, the appetite wanes or disappears. This would lead me to conclude that he is exploring the new territory and making a mental map of the new place. At the risk of a bit of anthropomorphism, I might even say he is enjoying himself.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

The great outdoors is generally more "stimulating" to our tortoises. Not only the extra space, grazing, and all of that sort of thing, but the UV and light spectrum and intensity is far superior to any indoor lighting that we provide. This true "full spectrum" intense sunlight stimulates them in ways we can't even imagine.

Generally speaking, when an animal is stressed, the appetite wanes or disappears. This would lead me to conclude that he is exploring the new territory and making a mental map of the new place. At the risk of a bit of anthropomorphism, I might even say he is enjoying himself.

I love to hear I'm reading his cues right. I worry so much I didn't trust myself. Today he even took a nap under his ramp.

 

[Pák]

I was really surprised he had no issues plowing through the plastic flaps to get inside the enclosure.

Just imagine a sulcata who has problems getting through plastic flaps. 😂😂😂

 

[Megatron's Mom]

One sail is up. It's not up to the manufacturer specifications but it's up. Optimus Prime approved too. In this heat I just needed to get it up.