Tortoise Enrichment!

[Beetle_Rain]

Hi everyone as it’s about to start getting cooler my little guy Sumo will be spending significantly less time outside and I was wondering if anyone has any leopard tortoise enrichment ideas! So far I have spit his usual meals in small dishes around his enclosure and he always ends up visiting each one multiple times a day. I’ve also tied fresh hibiscus leaves to the top of his enclosure so he has to really reach for them but that’s about all the ideas I’ve had so far. I also provide him with an extreme amount of variety to keep things interesting that way.

 

[zolasmum]

Hi everyone as it’s about to start getting cooler my little guy Sumo will be spending significantly less time outside and I was wondering if anyone has any leopard tortoise enrichment ideas! So far I have spit his usual meals in small dishes around his enclosure and he always ends up visiting each one multiple times a day. I’ve also tied fresh hibiscus leaves to the top of his enclosure so he has to really reach for them but that’s about all the ideas I’ve had so far. I also provide him with an extreme amount of variety to keep things interesting that way. View attachment 378792
View attachment 378793

I am afraid I can't really be of any help to you, but I just wanted to say how impressed I am by your ways of giving Sumo an interesting life ! That's wonderful, and I'm sure it makes life more fun for him,
Best wishes from Angie.

 

[Beetle_Rain]

I am afraid I can't really be of any help to you, but I just wanted to say how impressed I am by your ways of giving Sumo an interesting life ! That's wonderful, and I'm sure it makes life more fun for him,
Best wishes from Angie.

Aw thank you! He means so much to me so that makes me so happy to hear!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Here are some ideas (of course you don't have to implement everything):

• A running wheel for your tortoise
• One of those flexible bridges meant for rodents
• A hol-ee ball stuffed with food
• A plastic pipe cut to half used as a tunnel
• Plus some more in the photos

 

[Beetle_Rain]

Here are some ideas (of course you don't have to implement everything):

• A running wheel for your tortoise
• One of those flexible bridges meant for rodents
• A hol-ee ball stuffed with food
• A plastic pipe cut to half used as a tunnel
• Plus some more in the photos

Thank you I will be looking into these and doing as much as I can! I didn’t realize they would use something like a wheel!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

@_The_Beast_ has one: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/tortoise-wheel-an-unexpected-success.211380/

It is important to find a wheel wide enough for the tortoises whole body to fit in and big enough so the tortoise can "lay flat" on the bottom. Securing the wheel to the wall or the bottom of the enclosure is of course important too Sink the wheel in the substrate so it is easy to reach and line it with something non-slip if it isn't already lined. With a small tortoise like yours I would buy one that has some space for growing.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Some nice suggestions from @The_Four_Toed_Edward

Love the little mushroom ornaments btw! So cute!

 

[Beetle_Rain]

@_The_Beast_ has one: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/tortoise-wheel-an-unexpected-success.211380/

It is important to find a wheel wide enough for the tortoises whole body to fit in and big enough so the tortoise can "lay flat" on the bottom. Securing the wheel to the wall or the bottom of the enclosure is of course important too Sink the wheel in the substrate so it is easy to reach and line it with something non-slip if it isn't already lined. With a small tortoise like yours I would buy one that has some space for growing.

Looks like I have some searching to do for the perfect one!

 

[Beetle_Rain]

Some nice suggestions from @The_Four_Toed_Edward

Love the little mushroom ornaments btw! So cute!

Thank you!

 

[_The_Beast_]

Looks like I have some searching to do for the perfect one!

I currently use the large one NiteAngel makes. Weekly cleaning + spot cleaning is required, but it comes with a spare cork liner to keep you going. Happy to answer wheel questions if you have any. My tort's shell is currently 10 cm x 10 cm and the wheel is still working great!

 

[Beetle_Rain]

I currently use the large one NiteAngel makes. Weekly cleaning + spot cleaning is required, but it comes with a spare cork liner to keep you going. Happy to answer wheel questions if you have any. My tort's shell is currently 10 cm x 10 cm and the wheel is still working great!

This is so helpful thank you!!!!

 

[Tortellini0000]

I currently use the large one NiteAngel makes. Weekly cleaning + spot cleaning is required, but it comes with a spare cork liner to keep you going. Happy to answer wheel questions if you have any. My tort's shell is currently 10 cm x 10 cm and the wheel is still working great!

Would love to see a picture of your tortoise on it if you have one!! So cool