Ourdoors

[cpl1307]

Morning,
I've just introduced my 15 month old Russian to the outside world. I've been getting him used to it by taking him out in the sun for his daily baths and letting him have a little wander about. Now his new home is complete, I put him in there yesterday and he spent 20 minutes in the sunshine and then when into his secluded safety section. How will he get his daily UV if he keeps hiding. I know its all new to him. I left him I there for about 2 hours. He had a few Bites on a cucumber and then just went into his hide section. Is there a right or wrong way of doing this? Should I just give him time to come out on his own. I wanted to not have to give him any artificial lighting yesterday, but I felt when I put him back that I needed to after on 20 minutes in the sun. Any advice??

 

[Tom]

Morning,
I've just introduced my 15 month old Russian to the outside world. I've been getting him used to it by taking him out in the sun for his daily baths and letting him have a little wander about. Now his new home is complete, I put him in there yesterday and he spent 20 minutes in the sunshine and then when into his secluded safety section. How will he get his daily UV if he keeps hiding. I know its all new to him. I left him I there for about 2 hours. He had a few Bites on a cucumber and then just went into his hide section. Is there a right or wrong way of doing this? Should I just give him time to come out on his own. I wanted to not have to give him any artificial lighting yesterday, but I felt when I put him back that I needed to after on 20 minutes in the sun. Any advice??

They regulate their UV in the Safeway they regulate their heat. They know when they need it, and they don't need much. 15 minutes of access to sunshine a couple times a week will give them all they need, so don't worry to much about it.

Also, it is perfectly normal for young ones to hide and take cover. If they are fed, hydrated and warm enough, there is no reason to be out in the open exposed to predators. Hiding is a survival strategy. Over time, as they gain size, they get more and more bold and outgoing, but this takes years for most tortoises. All of them are scary cats when small.

 

[cpl1307]

They regulate their UV in the Safeway they regulate their heat. They know when they need it, and they don't need much. 15 minutes of access to sunshine a couple times a week will give them all they need, so don't worry to much about it.

Also, it is perfectly normal for young ones to hide and take cover. If they are fed, hydrated and warm enough, there is no reason to be out in the open exposed to predators. Hiding is a survival strategy. Over time, as they gain size, they get more and more bold and outgoing, but this takes years for most tortoises. All of them are scary cats when small.

Thanks Tom. So I don't really need to put his UV light on then when he gets back in Viv? How long would you say I should leave him in there for? All day, with maybe a couple of soakings in-between. I try to put his hide section in the shade. I dug him a hole and buried that back up, so it's loose to dig. He likes eating it and the grass

 

[Tom]

Thanks Tom. So I don't really need to put his UV light on then when he gets back in Viv? How long would you say I should leave him in there for? All day, with maybe a couple of soakings in-between. I try to put his hide section in the shade. I dug him a hole and buried that back up, so it's loose to dig. He likes eating it and the grass

The UV tube indoors should be on for a couple few hours mid day when he is inside.

Outdoors, I like an hours of access to sunshine in a secure pen per inch of tortoise. Once a horsfield gets to about 4 or 5 inches, outside all day, weather permitting, it good.

Horsfield don't usually eat grass. That is unusual.

 

[cpl1307]

The UV tube indoors should be on for a couple few hours mid day when he is inside.

Outdoors, I like an hours of access to sunshine in a secure pen per inch of tortoise. Once a horsfield gets to about 4 or 5 inches, outside all day, weather permitting, it good.

Horsfield don't usually eat grass. That is unusual.

I think he was just inquisitive. He's only done it twice and when I say eat I mean just a taste. I think he keeps thinking it's his own food.