I know first hand now that it is not a fun time. More like a wrestling match with your tortoise.
It was mid 80's today and Stump got hot so I let him go to his burrow. He dug for 3 or 4 hours until 6:15 PM. Becoming concerned, when I reached down to try to get him he 1) smashed my fingers against the dirt sides, 2) stomped on my fingers with his rear legs, 2) Grunted the whole time, 3) Violently thrashed from side to side to do the most damage to me it seemed, 4) stood up as high as he could smashing his carapace into the top of the dirt to hold his position, 5) stood up and smashed by arm against the dirt top when I reached above him near his head.
Then I got the shovel and removed some dirt below him very carefully so he could not use his carapace to hold him in place. He was NOT happy when I got him out and put him in his pool for a rinse off.
After the pool during his soak he was obviously irked with me and after we came downstairs he turned his back to me (which he has never done), refused food for a snack and went to his bed. Apparently he had different plans for camping this evening that I ruined.
I can't even imagine what it would be like to wrestle with a 200lb animal in a tight space that you have to pull upward against gravity and their very powerful arms. You would need a front loader or back hoe.
If he is facing me I can no doubt get him to come out by offering a treat. If the rear is facing you how to you folks get them out?
It was mid 80's today and Stump got hot so I let him go to his burrow. He dug for 3 or 4 hours until 6:15 PM. Becoming concerned, when I reached down to try to get him he 1) smashed my fingers against the dirt sides, 2) stomped on my fingers with his rear legs, 2) Grunted the whole time, 3) Violently thrashed from side to side to do the most damage to me it seemed, 4) stood up as high as he could smashing his carapace into the top of the dirt to hold his position, 5) stood up and smashed by arm against the dirt top when I reached above him near his head.
Then I got the shovel and removed some dirt below him very carefully so he could not use his carapace to hold him in place. He was NOT happy when I got him out and put him in his pool for a rinse off.
After the pool during his soak he was obviously irked with me and after we came downstairs he turned his back to me (which he has never done), refused food for a snack and went to his bed. Apparently he had different plans for camping this evening that I ruined.
I can't even imagine what it would be like to wrestle with a 200lb animal in a tight space that you have to pull upward against gravity and their very powerful arms. You would need a front loader or back hoe.
If he is facing me I can no doubt get him to come out by offering a treat. If the rear is facing you how to you folks get them out?
