Sulcata acting strange from the move ( SoCal to NorCal)

[Hector zaragoza]

Hey guys it’s been a while. My tortoise Normie is now 4 years old. He’s about 30lb and is bigger than a basketball. We moved up north in California about 4 weeks ago. He now has twice the yard with grasses and trees. He’s been staying outside in he’s heated house for years now but since we moved he doesn’t wanna come out unless I have a snack for him. Once he’s out he starts eating grass and goes right back into his house. Temps inside his house are at 70/80 F and during the day it’s at 90/100 F. He still is eating his flowers and grasses but idk why he’s not exploring. Anyone experience this before ? Thank you for the help !

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Four weeks is a long time, but maybe he is still adjusting?

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What do you think @wellington and @Tom ?

 

[Tom]

Hey guys it’s been a while. My tortoise Normie is now 4 years old. He’s about 30lb and is bigger than a basketball. We moved up north in California about 4 weeks ago. He now has twice the yard with grasses and trees. He’s been staying outside in he’s heated house for years now but since we moved he doesn’t wanna come out unless I have a snack for him. Once he’s out he starts eating grass and goes right back into his house. Temps inside his house are at 70/80 F and during the day it’s at 90/100 F. He still is eating his flowers and grasses but idk why he’s not exploring. Anyone experience this before ? Thank you for the help ! View attachment 378055

Its most likely that he doesn't like something about the new environment.

Also, 70 is too cold. It shouldn't drop below 80 at any time.

The fence in the back ground needs a visual barrier. At some point, he will start coming out again, and he will likely hurt himself on that see-through fence.

 

[Hector zaragoza]

Its most likely that he doesn't like something about the new environment.

Also, 70 is too cold. It shouldn't drop below 80 at any time.

The fence in the back ground needs a visual barrier. At some point, he will start coming out again, and he will likely hurt himself on that see-through fence.

Maybe and hmm back in SoCal he’s heat lamp wouldn’t be on during summer and since it’s a bit colder here I leave it on. Could it be that it’s to warm inside his house and he doesn’t want to come out ?

And I’ve actually already but some mesh around his entire enclosure. This photo is right before I finished the other side.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Heat lamps aren't recommended for larger tortoises. You should look into getting a heat mat and/or radiant heat panel.

 

[Hector zaragoza]

Heat lamps aren't recommended for larger tortoises. You should look into getting a heat mat and/or radiant heat panel.

In the pick I do have a heat mat. I have it at 110F and I turn it on when it hits below 60. When I have that on and the ceramic heat bulb it gets to 120 inside the house and it’s too hot. I bought a thermostat to control the temp.