Strange behaviour after replacing a substrate

[Maryjane44]

Hello, less than a week ago I got a horsefield tortoise. When I got him from the shop, the shop assistant advised to use the cat litter pellets. As soon as I started reading into tortoise I found out they feel best having soil/sand in the enclosure, so I got him a ready mixed substrate. I took him out for a soak and brought him back to already changed subsoil.
Ever since he’s back, he stays a while under the basking light and then go around the enclosure again and again. I’m worried that he’s stressed and I hurt him. Could someone please help and tell me if it’s excitement or stress and what can I do to improve his well being? All the answers are highly appreciated
Thank you

 

[Tom]

Hello, less than a week ago I got a horsefield tortoise. When I got him from the shop, the shop assistant advised to use the cat litter pellets. As soon as I started reading into tortoise I found out they feel best having soil/sand in the enclosure, so I got him a ready mixed substrate. I took him out for a soak and brought him back to already changed subsoil.
Ever since he’s back, he stays a while under the basking light and then go around the enclosure again and again. I’m worried that he’s stressed and I hurt him. Could someone please help and tell me if it’s excitement or stress and what can I do to improve his well being? All the answers are highly appreciated
Thank you

Hello and welcome. Pet shops give terrible advice, and most other sources do too. I wrote this thread specifically for this sort of situation. It will catch you up to speed, and questions are welcome. You have finally found the correct info:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Tortoises don't like change, so it might be stress. But it is still a good thing you got rid of the pellet substrate. Unfortunately you need to change your substrate again, check the link above.

 

[zolasmum]

Hello and welcome from Devon.I'm so glad you have found this forum already - there are people here who are real experts on tortoise keeping,and are always happy to help and advise you, and people who just love their tortoises and want to chat about them, too. I have a Hermanns tortoise, Zola, who is now 26 years old, and when we first found him (or he found us ), there really wasn't a lot of help available, and we just muddled along, doing what felt right. Luckily,there were no major problems, and he is always well and happy!
What is your little one's name ? Please let us see a photo - everyone here loves tortoise photos, as you will discover !
All best wishes from Angie

 

[Maryjane44]

Hello and welcome. Pet shops give terrible advice, and most other sources do too. I wrote this thread specifically for this sort of situation. It will catch you up to speed, and questions are welcome. You have finally found the correct info:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

Hello Tom, thank you for your very comprehensive answer. I have already ordered the fine orchid bark. I shall change it as soon as it arrives. How often then should I change it? I’m sure I will have more questions on the way. At the moment I’m just pleased that my Franco seems to be much calmer today and back to the behaviour I’ve seen before the soil changes, I dread that he will be stressed when I disturb it again.
Thank you

 

[Maryjane44]

Tortoises don't like change, so it might be stress. But it is still a good thing you got rid of the pellet substrate. Unfortunately you need to change your substrate again, check the link above.

Thank you, he’s much calmer today.
I’ve already ordered the fine orchid bark, would you suggest to change the substrate as soon as possible? I know it probably sounds dumb, but I dread putting Franco theough stress again

 

[Maryjane44]

Hello and welcome from Devon.I'm so glad you have found this forum already - there are people here who are real experts on tortoise keeping,and are always happy to help and advise you, and people who just love their tortoises and want to chat about them, too. I have a Hermanns tortoise, Zola, who is now 26 years old, and when we first found him (or he found us ), there really wasn't a lot of help available, and we just muddled along, doing what felt right. Luckily,there were no major problems, and he is always well and happy!
What is your little one's name ? Please let us see a photo - everyone here loves tortoise photos, as you will discover !
All best wishes from Angie

Hello Angie, thank you for your message, my horsefield tortoise is called Franco, I wonder if people here would help me find out how old Franco is. When I asked at shop, I was told “a baby”. But being completely new to it- what does “a baby” mean?
I just hope I don’t do any harm to Franco as it would break me, I can’t believe how in less than a week he stole my heart! Here he is, after his first bath. Can I see your Zola, please?

 

[zolasmum]

Hello Angie, thank you for your message, my horsefield tortoise is called Franco, I wonder if people here would help me find out how old Franco is. When I asked at shop, I was told “a baby”. But being completely new to it- what does “a baby” mean?
I just hope I don’t do any harm toFranco as it would break me, I can’t believe how in less than a week he stole my heart! Here he is, after his first bath. Can I see your Zola, please?

Oh, he is so lovely ! There is something very special about tortoises, isn't there ! I'm sure you won't do any harm to Franco - they are very resilient creatures, and if you follow the advice of people here, you will be fine. Don't listen to people in pet shops, as they often know nothing, and can often tell you entirely the wrong thing .
I don't know exactly what "a baby" means - if you are able to send more pictures of Franco from different angles, including of his shell underneath (plastron) and his shell length and weight, I'm sure people will be able to tell you.
Here is Zola by the sea with his dad - he loves to walk on the rocks!

 

[Tom]

Hello Tom, thank you for your very comprehensive answer. I have already ordered the fine orchid bark. I shall change it as soon as it arrives. How often then should I change it? I’m sure I will have more questions on the way. At the moment I’m just pleased that my Franco seems to be much calmer today and back to the behaviour I’ve seen before the soil changes, I dread that he will be stressed when I disturb it again.
Thank you

If you soak regularly, the tortoise will poop and pee in the soak water. That coupled with spot cleaning old food, should keep the substrate "clean" for a couple of years or more. No need to replace it. Just remove any "waste" and it should last a long time. I only change mine when one animal is moving out, and a new animal is moving in to a given enclosure. I remove old substrate, clean and sanitize, and then put in new substrate for the new incoming animal.

 

[Tom]

Hello Angie, thank you for your message, my horsefield tortoise is called Franco, I wonder if people here would help me find out how old Franco is. When I asked at shop, I was told “a baby”. But being completely new to it- what does “a baby” mean?
I just hope I don’t do any harm to Franco as it would break me, I can’t believe how in less than a week he stole my heart! Here he is, after his first bath. Can I see your Zola, please?

The only way to know the age is to know the hath date. They all grow at different rates, so size is not a good indicator.

Your "baby" looks to be at least a few months old, and he has been started and raised in the typical wrong dry way. Get him hydrated and keep him in moderate humidity to smooth out future growth. Dry conditions are not good for babies.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello Angie, thank you for your message, my horsefield tortoise is called Franco, I wonder if people here would help me find out how old Franco is. When I asked at shop, I was told “a baby”. But being completely new to it- what does “a baby” mean?
I just hope I don’t do any harm to Franco as it would break me, I can’t believe how in less than a week he stole my heart! Here he is, after his first bath. Can I see your Zola, please?

Hello from a fellow uk member! Your Russian definitely looks on the younger side, I’m going to include a bunch of links below you’ll hopefully find helpful!

This thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out! If ever going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better, but I’ll add more ideas below for closed chambers

Housing young Russian/Herman

Hello there! In this thread, I’m going to include some information on an effective way to tackle a starter set up/a way you can build a bigger size once your baby is an adult. I know it looks a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered, I’m happy to break down any information...

tortoiseforum.org

This covers a bunch of other closed chamber options, some do work better than others, you’d technically be best going with a vivarium

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

This one is good to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

I hope they can help you on your new journey! Let me know if you ever need uk links to products or anything