Russian tortise enclosure

[Mnash0915]

Hi! After I soak my Russian named Harry and put him back in his house he usually eats and wonders around the perimeter a bit but the last couple days he has been clawing at the sides like he is trying to climb out. We have only had him a couple weeks and he is in the Zoomed tortoise house that is made of wood with a side for basking and a side for hiding. I have all the temps right and the substrate correct. I just wonder if this is a normal reaction or if it means I need to make some changes to his house because he isn't happy. I just want him to be comfy in there!
Thanks!!
Michelle

 

[ascott]

Russians are notorious adventurer's ....what are your cool medium and hot temps? How deep is your substrate? What is your substrate? Do you have plants for your tortoise to hide in/under?

 

[Mnash0915]

He is about 95 F on one end and 68 on the other. I am using a coconut husk substrate and it is about 4" deep. He doesnt have any plants in his house. Should I add some and if so what kind? I was afraid it would take up too much space and crowd him. He had an entire section of his house (about 1'x3') where he can go hide but he never does. I have always wondered why he doesn't go in there. He just burrows down in the substrate for a nap but never in the dark quiet end.
He just seems like he wants out and I do let him out. He wonders around the house about an hour a day to get some exercise and he seems to enjoy it. He lets me rub his neck so I think he comfortable with me

 

[Laura]

my guy is in a 4x8 area.. and he crusises the entire thing.. and STILL trys to escape.. and HAS! its what they do.. it will drive you nuts! that one reason mine is outside. HA!

 

[Mnash0915]

Thank you Laura! I just feel bad for the little guy. I wonder if he isn't happy or he wants out. He did it for about 45 min and then took a nap
They are so sweet. I wish lived in the south where we could have them outside and we could have more!!
We are in southern Indiana and he will be able to spend some time outside in the summer. It gets really warm for a few months here
Thanks again!!
Michelle!

 

[Utah Lynn]

my guy is in a 4x8 area.. and he crusises the entire thing.. and STILL trys to escape.. and HAS! its what they do.. it will drive you nuts! that one reason mine is outside. HA!

Michelle, it doesn't matter where you put your RT, he is always going to want to be somewhere else. It's their character. Aren't they just so cute?

 

[Mnash0915]

Yes they are adorable! They have the best personalities!! Today he ate a huge bowl of food and then took a nap in his bowl. It was so cute. I have almost as many pics of him as I do of the kids :-D

 

[lynnedit]

Yep, he sounds normal. I have one male and he roams around all day, climbs the side, then naps, then roams. He is more active than the females. But they all spend sometime trying to get out. I am working on getting mine outside at least for 6 months of the year, perhaps 9, if I can use my greenhouse to extend the season on either end.
Great torts!

 

[Mnash0915]

Thank you! He sure does make a ton of noise when he is scratching around like that but then today he is lazy and slept all day. Go figure . Thanks for your help!!