Sleepy head!

[Roddytort121]

Ive had my 5 year old male horse field for a month now and getting to know him a little better every day. However I'm slightly concerned that he spending most his time covered up in his room. There's been a few mornings where he has come out like clock work but usually I have to wake him and place him under the lamp when I've given him a couple of hours lie in. He's happily eating most days, seems to be more varaceous when he's had a bath. But then most likely go to bed again. But when he's up he's very alert and seems happy. Takes food from hand too which is encouraging. Just want to know if he's lacking anything for energy

 

[JoesMum]

Firstly get a thermometer- a temperature gun is best (they're inexpensive from Amazon) - and check the 4 important temperatures: Warm side, cool side, directly under the basking lamp and overnight minimum. Let us know what they are.

Problems with temperature are the usual cause of inactivity.

Then keep in mind that in the wild Russians spend a high proportion of time in burrows underground - captive ones are quite likely to do this too.

If your tort is eating less than usual, increase the soaking frequency to make sure s/he stays hydrated.

 

[Roddytort121]

Under the lamp is 32 and out of it is average room temp. Might time I guess it's dropping to about 10? Perhaps he is getting cold

I'll check them tonight thanks

 

[Roddytort121]

Oh and one more thing, is it usual for them to prefer to feed whilssee basking? As he ignore the food bowl completely unless I place it practically beneath the lamp!

 

[Tom]

Under the lamp is 32 and out of it is average room temp. Might time I guess it's dropping to about 10? Perhaps he is getting cold

I'll check them tonight thanks

Your temps are too cool and your tortoise is hovering on the verge of thinking it should hibernate, and therefore not eat. The warm soaks and the you placing it under the basking lamp, temporarily makes him think its warm enough to eat.

Your basking temp under the lamp should be 36-37 in a fairly large area for him. During the day, his cool end should warm up to 22-24. Overnight low should be kept around 21 since you are having this issue, but 16-18 is fine for normal circumstances. 10 is way too cold if you want your tortoise to be up, active and eating the next day.

 

[Roddytort121]

Okay I've lowered his light and it's about 38 now. He started eating like mad so that was encouraging. However after an hour he went to bed. This isn't a particularly cold house plus the weather isn't freezing at all. Hmmm maybe he will have a reset tonight now I've warmed it up and start again tomorrow. Thanks for your advice.

 

[JoesMum]

Okay I've lowered his light and it's about 38 now. He started eating like mad so that was encouraging. However after an hour he went to bed. This isn't a particularly cold house plus the weather isn't freezing at all. Hmmm maybe he will have a reset tonight now I've warmed it up and start again tomorrow. Thanks for your advice.

You're in the UK and it's 7pm. It has to be very warm indeed for Joe to ignore bed time set by the light levels reducing. Otherwise he's tucked up for the night by about 4.30pm.

Lights in tomorrow and he should be good to go. If it's chilly overnight, then you may need to start him off by putting him under the lamp first thing

 

[Roddytort121]

Wonderful. I can't wait for him to go out and get some natural light! I've tried him on a few of the sunny days we had over Easter but I think it was still too cold for him to romp about so he wasn't out long lol.

 

[JoesMum]

Don't put him outside until he is fully warmed up. Even old timers like Joe spend a few hours under the lamp before going out. He is small and it's too cool for your tort to be put long yet.

 

[Tom]

Even though you've had him a month, his instincts tell him to be cautious in this strange new land. In time, he will feel more comfortable in his new home and be less inclined to hide. The warmer temps will help with this too.

 

[Roddytort121]

That's great advice, so for the time being just keep a nice routine to create familiarity to increase his confidence. Hopefully once the weather has warmed up he'll feel comfortable enough to enjoy going outside. Thanks people

 

[JoesMum]

Not sure where you are in Derbyshire- it's a varied county - but Mum is in Buxton. Looking at the forecast for her, I wouldn't even think about getting your tort outdoors before next weekend and even then I'd make the decision on the day.

 

[Tom]

That's great advice, so for the time being just keep a nice routine to create familiarity to increase his confidence. Hopefully once the weather has warmed up he'll feel comfortable enough to enjoy going outside. Thanks people

Best of luck. Keep us posted.

 

[Roddytort121]

We're in Draycott in Erewash it was t shirt weather over Easter! Couldn't believe it! But alas April showers now! I found a thin terracotta tile I thought would be a good idea for him to warm himself on under the lamp as I know they absorb heat well?

 

[Roddytort121]

Snoozing now finally warm!

 

[JoesMum]

We're in Draycott in Erewash it was t shirt weather over Easter! Couldn't believe it! But alas April showers now! I found a thin terracotta tile I thought would be a good idea for him to warm himself on under the lamp as I know they absorb heat well?

I use a paving slab under Joe's. (He is 11 inches long )

 

[Roddytort121]

I use a paving slab under Joe's. (He is 11 inches long )

What flavour is he because that's huge! I thought horse fields were about 6-8 inches usually! Aw how lovely

 

[JoesMum]

What flavour is he because that's huge! I thought horse fields were about 6-8 inches usually! Aw how lovely

Joe is Testudo Graeca Graeca (of Algerian origin I'm told online). We got him in 1970 and he'd have been wild caught. He is full grown, but by general TGG standards he is big.

 

[JoesMum]

My husband was 7 when he got him and he could him on one hand then. Joe's grown quite a lot. It's a two hand job to pick him up now.

 

[Roddytort121]

That's truly incredible! They really are a life long companion and that's so comforting