Tort Keeps Flipping On His Back - Please Help!

Gillian M

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Hi everyone. Need HELP. I recently had a new enclosure built for Oli, and I have a feeling that something is wrong. He roams around the enclosure, and each and every time he goes to the same corner, tries to get out, after which he flips on his back! The issue is worrying me: can't move anywhere, unless there's an emergency!

I do know that torts take time to adapt to anything new, but he never did something of the sort, not even when literally everything was new to him about five years ago.

The enclosure is a relatively big one and much bigger than his old one. Therefore I am sure it is not the size.


Anyone's quick advise/help would be highly appreciated.

Thank you.
 

Gillian M

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Some careful moving of tank decor to block that corner will probably help.

Maybe some plants?
Thanks so much your help.

What can I block the corner with? Please excuse my ignorance here.
 

Gillian M

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Some careful moving of tank decor to block that corner will probably help.

Maybe some plants?
Thanks so much your help.

What can I block the corner with? Please excuse my ignorance here.
 

adptorts

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Is it a glass tank? Your tortoise might be trying to walk through it and any site barrier could help.
 

SarahChelonoidis

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Is this enclosure built out of different material than before?

Some sort of plant or hide that isn't climbable would be my suggestion.
 

Yvonne G

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Hi Gillian:

So sorry that Ollie isn't happy in his new spot. This is quite normal. Tortoises get used to their territory and are pretty upset when you move them. He's trying to get out so he can find his way back to his old, safe home. It will take time for him to settle down. In the meantime, block that corner with a big rock or a plant or maybe even put his hiding place in that corner.
 

Gillian M

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Gillian. Is it a wooden enclosure?
Can you place something in the corners to round them off? This way he might pace the enclosure, but not stop and try to climb out.
Oh no, Ed it is a wooden enclosure, I'd NEVER even think of an enclosure made of glass.

Thanks your advise, Ed.
 

Gillian M

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Hi Gillian:

So sorry that Ollie isn't happy in his new spot. This is quite normal. Tortoises get used to their territory and are pretty upset when you move them. He's trying to get out so he can find his way back to his old, safe home. It will take time for him to settle down. In the meantime, block that corner with a big rock or a plant or maybe even put his hiding place in that corner.
Thanks Yvonne. OK, I did expect it, as we all know torts don't like anything new, don't like change and take time to adapt to it.However, I didn't expect him to keep flipping on his back every five minutes or so.

I have a rock and thought of placing it in that awkward corner. But at the same time I thought: "What if he climbs on the rock and keeps flipping on his back?"

Tell me please, what do you think of the enclosure?
 

Gillian M

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Is this enclosure built out of different material than before?

Some sort of plant or hide that isn't climbable would be my suggestion.
It is a wooden enclosure. (Please see pic). Nothing new, except the size. This one is a larger one which I thought he'd like.

Thanks your help.
 

ZEROPILOT

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It has eight corners. That's a lot of corners to climb.
I like the window and grass paintings.
As big as it is, I just think that it's too small compared to what Oli is used to. (At this point he is used to free roaming.)
Hopefully he will settle down. But Oli seeks to be on the stubborn side.
 

Gillian M

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It has eight corners. That's a lot of corners to climb.
I like the window and grass paintings.
As big as it is, I just think that it's too small compared to what Oli is used to. (At this point he is used to free roaming.)
Hopefully he will settle down. But Oli seeks to be on the stubborn side.
Oh you bet OLI is stubborn. When I used to allow him to roam around the flat, he used to want to go into my bedroom and only my bedroom. I tried training him not to, but NO WAY. Therefore I used to have to close the door.

Glad you like the paintings.
 

Gillian M

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Hi everyone Need help: OLI is still flipping on his back in his new enclosure. I placed a rock and some plants, as was advised by members at the forum, but neither the rock nor the plants solved the issue. OLI is now climbing on the rock to try to get out, and flipping on his back!

What else could I do? The matter is worrying me.

Anyone's help/advise would be highly appreciated. Thanks very much.
 

JoesMum

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Also try a complete reorganisation of the enclosure layout.

Maybe add lots more plants, so it is harder work to get to a corner and he might decide to stop and eat on the way.
 

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