Ornery Tortoise? HELP!

[PrayPeaceGod]

I don't know if it's just my tortoise but he is a TROUBLE MAKER! Whenever he's bored he starts climbing all over his cage and literally is vertical until I scoop him out and let him walk around. When I put him on the ground he scurries off to a corner and sleeps. WTF!

And also, sometimes I find a little . . . surprise in his cage. When he's acting naughty I sometimes find him with poop caked ALL over his bottom shell. Not only is it concerning but he's extremely difficult to clean when he squirms around and tries to get out of my hand.

How do I clean him quickly and easily? And why does he poop on himself? And why does my tortoise SQUIRM SO MUCH! Please help!

Thanks

 

[JoesMum]

You don't say what type of tort you have or how old/how big. Your tort may well be complaining that his enclosure just isn't big enough. If it's too small, then he won't be able to regulate temperatures across it properly... the behaviour suggests he can't find a cool enough spot for napping.

 

[PrayPeaceGod]

You don't say what type of tort you have or how old/how big. Your tort may well be complaining that his enclosure just isn't big enough. If it's too small, then he won't be able to regulate temperatures across it properly... the behaviour suggests he can't find a cool enough spot for napping.

He's a Russian tortoise, about 6-8 inches and I think his inclosure is a 50 gallon tank. I have two heat lamps for him, one being a real heat lamp and the other kind of like a really dim light. Should I just keep the heat lamp on or something?

 

[LolaMyLove]

What are the temps in his tank? Are you giving him regular soakings?


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Pictures of his enclosure help too


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[wiccan_chicken]

You might need to buy a temp gun and make sure your temps are correct. Two heat lights sounds like a lot. think of a car. It may be 75 degrees outside but in your car it's 125. The glass holds the heat. Your guy might be too hot.

 

[JoesMum]

Re: RE: Ornery Tortoise? HELP!

You don't say what type of tort you have or how old/how big. Your tort may well be complaining that his enclosure just isn't big enough. If it's too small, then he won't be able to regulate temperatures across it properly... the behaviour suggests he can't find a cool enough spot for napping.

He's a Russian tortoise, about 6-8 inches and I think his inclosure is a 50 gallon tank. I have two heat lamps for him, one being a real heat lamp and the other kind of like a really dim light. Should I just keep the heat lamp on or something?

A 50 gallon tank is too small for a 6-8inch Russian. He needs lots more space... preferably outdoors

Russians are very active torts that need LOTS of space

 

[samsmom]

don't know anything about russians but i don't think he would poop himself, could it be that during his travels he is just walking all over the poop causing it to stick to his underside, my sulcata gets daily soaks so if he had something on him it would come off then, maybe use a really soft toothbrush (like one for an infant/toddler) to aid in the removal of unwanted "stuff" along with a good soaking?