Strange questions

[Godfrey's Mom]

Hello!

As we are learning to care for our new fellow, i have a few odd questions/observations....

The big orange slug like thing that comes out of his bottom at times? Was i just flashed?

I noticed looking at some other photos on the site that his skin tone is dark compared to like Berkley's pair. Is that a geographical adaptation or just a natural variation? Godfrey is almost a mahogany skin tone (kind of hard to tell in pictures)

I had a question about his sleeping and the seasons, He falls asleep when the sun sets, normally this time of year around 8:00 PM. When he goes to sleep he does not move at all until the next day. He is normally up with the sun or around 7:30-8:00 AM.

My question is because i live in Ohio with seasonal changes and he is going to be moving to his indoor winter home and more dependent on lights, should we try to keep the same approximate 12 hour schedule for him?

The previous owners mentioned that during the winter, indoors, he is very inactive, and they were only feeding him every other day. Is this something to continue?

I appreciate all your good advice! Thank you so much!

 

[Yvonne G]

1. Yes, Godfrey is def. a boy!
2. Godfrey's skin is probably stained by his substrate. You can take a soft brush and after he's been soaking in water for about 15 minutes, scrub him and see if you can clean the skin up a bit.
3. It's a good idea to keep the lights on for about 12 or 14 hours a day. Most tortoises go to bed early evening and don't get up until the next morning.
4. The previous owners probably didn't keep him warm enough. You shouldn't notice any difference in his activity season to season. He should eat every day.

 

[Godfrey's Mom]

Thank you so much!!!