Tortoise dancing

[Rednaut00]

Hi there,

I have a beautiful 1 year old Eastern Hermann's Tortoise called Yoda, I've noticed over the last week that they seemed to have stopped pooping around their enclosure (unless they're doing a very good job at hiding them) and only seemingly poop during their proper soak and clean.
However this morning as they came out of their cave they started doing that shimmy dance that people's tortoises do when they get their scutes scratched (mine has never danced before.)
So I assumed this must've meant the poor fella needed a poo, sure enough during their soak in their tub they did a biggish poo, however they continued dancing occasionally around their enclosure.
My conclusion is either that:
1. they've just discovered a way of scratching themselves that feels nice.
2. they just needed a poo and they still feel like dancing.
Or it could be something else, I am more than open to suggestions or hearing your stories about dancing tortoises.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Does he wag his tail while doing this dance? That would indicate that he is indeed straining to poop.

 

[Rednaut00]

Does he wag his tail while doing this dance? That would indicate that he is indeed straining to poop.

Nope his tail is kinda tucked, it doesn't look like they're dancing on his tail, more scratching the base of his shell (I think it's called the plastron? Like the stomach part of his shell)

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

There has been some debate about whether the dance is a sign of annoyance or enjoyment:

Shell scratches

Alright, serious question here. Do tortoises really like shell scratches? I see videos all the time of sulcatas doing a kabuki dance when someone scratches their shell. Is this something they actually enjoy?

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

lol sounds like he’s trying to have a little scratch or possibly a lil poop

Don’t suppose you’d mind sharing how you keep him? I’m noticing some pyramiding starting so was curious if he’s a rehome? It’s always nice to know how newer members are keeping their torts

What are your temperatures like? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps, night temps?
What kind of basking bulb are you using specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
What’s your indoor uv type?
How’s humidity reading? Is he in a closed chamber?
Do you just use orchid bark as substrate?

A photo of the set up would be wonderful if you’re willing! Welcome to the forum!!

 

[Rednaut00]

lol sounds like he’s trying to have a little scratch or possibly a lil poop

Don’t suppose you’d mind sharing how you keep him? I’m noticing some pyramiding starting so was curious if he’s a rehome? It’s always nice to know how newer members are keeping their torts

What are your temperatures like? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps, night temps?
What kind of basking bulb are you using specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
What’s your indoor uv type?
How’s humidity reading? Is he in a closed chamber?
Do you just use orchid bark as substrate?

A photo of the set up would be wonderful if you’re willing! Welcome to the forum!!

Hi there,
I'd noticed the pyramiding too but he was slightly pyramiding when I got him from the reptile shop in September (if there's anything I can do to stunt the pyramiding I'd be open to suggestions).
The thermometer on his window reads about 24/25⁰C and between 70-80% humidity so I'd assume 27⁰ under the basking light.
I wish I had a photograph of the UVB bulb packaging as the vivarium came pre built.
His substrate is a mix of Coco coir and orchid bark as I find it holds the moisture and humidity well (I started using the soil/sand substrate from the reptile shop but swapped it out quickly as many people on here were massively against that form of substrate)

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hi there,
I'd noticed the pyramiding too but he was slightly pyramiding when I got him from the reptile shop in September (if there's anything I can do to stunt the pyramiding I'd be open to suggestions).
The thermometer on his window reads about 24/25⁰C and between 70-80% humidity so I'd assume 27⁰ under the basking light.
I wish I had a photograph of the UVB bulb packaging as the vivarium came pre built.
His substrate is a mix of Coco coir and orchid bark as I find it holds the moisture and humidity well (I started using the soil/sand substrate from the reptile shop but swapped it out quickly as many people on here were massively against that form of substrate)

Yeah it’s unfortunately quite typical of the ones from the store, they’re either kept too dry or with the wrong bulbs

Is your monitoring one of those analog gauge ones? Because I’ll warn they’re notoriously inaccurate, you’d be better with digital ones.

Directly under your basking bulb(which should be a incandescent floodlight) you’ll need a reading of around 95-100f(35-40c) and the rest of the enclosure ranging 75-80(23-26)
I’d try and keep humidity in the 80 range to help the pyramiding smooth out as he grows and make sure it’s a t5 tube fluorescent uv light, the screw in ones are problematic for a few reasons

Hopefully you’ll find this housing thread I made useful! it covers correct equipment(lighting, heating, uv), levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger torts, appropriately maintaining humidity, substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything and a really handy diet link to check out! I talk about a greenhouse set up, but the viv you have will work even better, if using the method for the humidity(which should definitely help keep yours in range) I’d suggest putting some liner in to protect the base.

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 includes some more closed chamber options/decor inspo should you need it

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

Lastly, probably the most important, this one is really good to familiarise yourself with, 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

Hope they come in handy!

 

[Rednaut00]

Yeah it’s unfortunately quite typical of the ones from the store, they’re either kept too dry or with the wrong bulbs

Is your monitoring one of those analog gauge ones? Because I’ll warn they’re notoriously inaccurate, you’d be better with digital ones.

Directly under your basking bulb(which should be a incandescent floodlight) you’ll need a reading of around 95-100f(35-40c) and the rest of the enclosure ranging 75-80(23-26)
I’d try and keep humidity in the 80 range to help the pyramiding smooth out as he grows and make sure it’s a t5 tube fluorescent uv light, the screw in ones are problematic for a few reasons

Hopefully you’ll find this housing thread I made useful! it covers correct equipment(lighting, heating, uv), levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger torts, appropriately maintaining humidity, substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything and a really handy diet link to check out! I talk about a greenhouse set up, but the viv you have will work even better, if using the method for the humidity(which should definitely help keep yours in range) I’d suggest putting some liner in to protect the base.

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 includes some more closed chamber options/decor inspo should you need it

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

Lastly, probably the most important, this one is really good to familiarise yourself with, 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

Hope they come in handy!

Thank you so much for all the suggestions! Yoda and I are gonna have a fun time making our way through the threads