Timmy (female) is digging holes and being mean

[biochemnerd808]

I think (hope) Timmy is having the gravid grumps. She has been dominating all 3 of the others, including the male (by head nodding and humping), is up before anyone else, and last to go to sleep, and today I caught her digging a hole with her back legs in the deep side of the enclosure where there are 9+ inches of coir. No eggs yet, but from what I've read, that sounds like gravid-female behavior, doesn't it?!

 

[ascott]

If your tort is a female, if she is trying to drop eggs, if she is pissed at all the other torts...perhaps you may want to give her some quiet time in that space to do her thing??????

 

[biochemnerd808]

Yes, that is an excellent suggestion, @ascott.

I was thinking the same thing, but was weighing whether a move to a separate enclosure would be more stressful to her, or being around the others would be. I have enough extra lights, all my 'foster' enclosures are occupied, but I can run to the hardware store for an XL rubbermaid. Still too cold here for leaving them outdoors - and I haven't finished the outdoor RT pen (should be done in another 2 weeks or so!).

If your tort is a female, if she is trying to drop eggs, if she is pissed at all the other torts...perhaps you may want to give her some quiet time in that space to do her thing??????

 

[tortoise_man1]

Yes, that is an excellent suggestion, @ascott.

I was thinking the same thing, but was weighing whether a move to a separate enclosure would be more stressful to her, or being around the others would be. I have enough extra lights, all my 'foster' enclosures are occupied, but I can run to the hardware store for an XL rubbermaid. Still too cold here for leaving them outdoors - and I haven't finished the outdoor RT pen (should be done in another 2 weeks or so!).

If your tort is a female, if she is trying to drop eggs, if she is pissed at all the other torts...perhaps you may want to give her some quiet time in that space to do her thing??????

you could just put a divider in the middle of the tank, with her on one side everyone else on the other side

 

[GBtortoises]

I think (hope) Timmy is having the gravid grumps. She has been dominating all 3 of the others, including the male (by head nodding and humping), is up before anyone else, and last to go to sleep, and today I caught her digging a hole with her back legs in the deep side of the enclosure where there are 9+ inches of coir. No eggs yet, but from what I've read, that sounds like gravid-female behavior, doesn't it?!

I have seen my own female Russian and Eastern Hermann's tortoises defend a chosen nesting site when they are close to egg laying. So that is a very good indication, as well of is the digging! Other signs are constant (almost anxious) pacing and sniffing the ground. Some will paw at and then sniff an area when looking for a suitable nest site too.

 

[biochemnerd808]

Thank you for the input. I'm keeping a close eye on her, today it's supposed to be sunny, so I plan to put the other 3 RTs outside to give her some privacy. If the weather gets crumby I'll jury rig a partition.

I think (hope) Timmy is having the gravid grumps. She has been dominating all 3 of the others, including the male (by head nodding and humping), is up before anyone else, and last to go to sleep, and today I caught her digging a hole with her back legs in the deep side of the enclosure where there are 9+ inches of coir. No eggs yet, but from what I've read, that sounds like gravid-female behavior, doesn't it?!

I have seen my own female Russian and Eastern Hermann's tortoises defend a chosen nesting site when they are close to egg laying. So that is a very good indication, as well of is the digging! Other signs are constant (almost anxious) pacing and sniffing the ground. Some will paw at and then sniff an area when looking for a suitable nest site too.

 

[lynnedit]

How is Timmy doing?

 

[ascott]

whether a move to a separate enclosure would be more stressful to her

I was meaning to relocate the other occupants and give her time to do what she wants to do in the peace and quiet of her own home...

 

[biochemnerd808]

Gotcha! Well, one of the other females is going to spend a few weeks at my friend's house (she is the smallest, and has been a little withdrawn lately - want to make sure she is getting all the food she needs, and I think being in an enclosure by herself will help) and I'll just let the other two spend some time in the kid pool outside, weather permitting, so Timmy can do her thing. She hasn't been acting as crazy the last two/three days, is eating normally, and hasn't dug any new holes. We will see.

whether a move to a separate enclosure would be more stressful to her

I was meaning to relocate the other occupants and give her time to do what she wants to do in the peace and quiet of her own home...