Shy?

[liam tebbett]

Poalo is his/her name, its my first tortoise. I researched them well in advanced. Poalo is approximately 2 years old and lives in a 4ft x 2ft table with a light, sand, pellet flooring, a log, water bowl (changed) twice daily also stones, rocks ect. A lot of the time he just seems to hide in his log, or huddle into a corner. When he comes out in the lounge, he heads straight for a dark spot and isn't very interactive. He's very healthy looking at other pictures, and is fed a good varied diet. I just want to know how to get him out of his shell.(pardon the pun) I have had him since October 2011 so he may still be getting used to us? Plus, what's the advice on companionship? Is it too soon? Hope for some good advice.

Regards Liam and poalo

 

[Pokeymeg]

What kind of lighting are you using? And what are your temperatures (ambient/hot spot)? If you are using a certain type of UVB bulb, it could be bothering him, which would lead him to hide in the dark areas. Do you give him baths at all? Does he act very withdrawn when you handle him for his bath, or any time you handle him? Generally Hermanns do not need companionship, they are perfectly happy alone. Trying to add another could complicate things--you would need to keep them separate for several months of quarantine, and then if they get along now, they may not later when they become sexually mature.

 

[wellington]

I would change the pellet substrate. I would search this site for the correct info, incase you have been looking on other sites. Most of the info out there is outdated or wrong.

 

[ascott]

Welcome to the Forum and we LOVE PICS

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Welcome!

 

[liam tebbett]

Thanks for the advice!! It's an Arcadia lamp with a powersun. He's not like it all of the time, I just don't want to be doing anything wrong. As for the flooring, what would you recommend instead of the pellet type? I will be posting a picture of his house, for you to see if it's ok?

Thanks for the advice about paring them too. I think I'll leave him alone. Also, my friend has 2 red foots which are larger than poalo, would it be wise to introduce them? Or would he get bullies?

Cheers folks

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Liam:

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!

May we know appx. where in the world you are?

 

[liam tebbett]

Hi Liam:

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!

May we know appx. where in the world you are?

Nottinghamshire uk

Thanks for the welcome! He seems more lively over the last few days, as I've been off work. Also I've not had him outdoor yet because it has been cold. He might be acting normal but I just want to make sure as I'm quite inexperienced

Thanks

 

[Pokeymeg]

Thanks for the advice!! It's an Arcadia lamp with a powersun. He's not like it all of the time, I just don't want to be doing anything wrong. As for the flooring, what would you recommend instead of the pellet type? I will be posting a picture of his house, for you to see if it's ok?

Thanks for the advice about paring them too. I think I'll leave him alone. Also, my friend has 2 red foots which are larger than poalo, would it be wise to introduce them? Or would he get bullies?

Cheers folks

Yes, we'd love to see pics of your set up! I use a mixture of cypress mulch and coco fiber bedding (sold in bricks at Petco) for a substrate because it retains moisture and is easy for them to dig around in while still be perfectly harmless if ingested. Plain old dirt is fine too, as long as it has no chemicals/fertilizers in it!

Just as a general guideline, you should get a thermometer and humidity gauge for your enclosure if you dont have one already. Ambient temp should be 75-80'F with a hot spot of 90-95'F. Humidty should be 50-60%

Different species really shouldn't mix and socialize. Each species potentially has their own germs and bacteria that they co-exist healthily with, but may make a tortoise of a different species sick.

 

[liam tebbett]

I'm trying to upload pics. I will look out for that. The lighting is all correct with what you said, thanks! What breed have you got? And what's the name?

Liam

 

[Pokeymeg]

I own a Dalmatian Hermann, recently aqcuired, 9 years old. His name is Dante

 

[liam tebbett]

I own a Dalmatian Hermann, recently aqcuired, 9 years old. His name is Dante

Cool, is that him on the pic? I'll have to do this on my computer because I can't load any pics off my phone.

 

[Pokeymeg]

No, that is my previous tort. You can see pictures on Dante in my recent posts in the Hermann section

 

[cherylim]

Hi Liam, from another UK Hermann's keeper!

 

[liam tebbett]

Hi Liam, from another UK Hermann's keeper!

Hello,

How long have you had yours?
And what is his her name?

Liam

 

[JoesMum]

Hi Liam:

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!

May we know appx. where in the world you are?

Nottinghamshire uk

Thanks for the welcome! He seems more lively over the last few days, as I've been off work. Also I've not had him outdoor yet because it has been cold. He might be acting normal but I just want to make sure as I'm quite inexperienced

Thanks

I think you've just given me a big clue. It's been very cold in the UK in recent weeks, but in the last few days things have suddenly got warmer.

Is your central heating on when you're at work? I'm betting it isn't and the ambient temperature in your house drops when you are out.

In the winter months, torts react to lower light levels and lower temperatures and are less active. If you want your tortoise to remain active, there must be adequate heat and bright enough light for that happen. You have to imitate summer!

I suggest you get a digital thermometer (I have a cheap min/max one from eBay) and measure the temperature at various points around your table. Then just leave the thermometer somewhere in the room and measure the room (ambient) temperature. Let us know what you are getting.

 

[liam tebbett]

I think you've just given me a big clue. It's been very cold in the UK in recent weeks, but in the last few days things have suddenly got warmer.

Is your central heating on when you're at work? I'm betting it isn't and the ambient temperature in your house drops when you are out.

In the winter months, torts react to lower light levels and lower temperatures and are less active. If you want your tortoise to remain active, there must be adequate heat and bright enough light for that happen. You have to imitate summer!

I suggest you get a digital thermometer (I have a cheap min/max one from eBay) and measure the temperature at various points around your table. Then just leave the thermometer somewhere in the room and measure the room (ambient) temperature. Let us know what you are getting.

I have it low, that's a good point thanks. His house is near to a radiator so I will turn it up a bit. It's strange because he was acting shy for just a few days, and as soon as I posted on here he changed! I think he's trying to wind me up!

Thanks again everyone

 

[cherylim]

Hi Liam, from another UK Hermann's keeper!

Hello,

How long have you had yours?
And what is his her name?

Liam

He's Emrys, and I've had him for just under half a year. He's two and a half years old.

 

[liam tebbett]

He's Emrys, and I've had him for just under half a year. He's two and a half years old.

Brilliant! A bit longer than me then. Is he your first one? I think they are great pets! It's also good to hear from experts for help.