Tortoise won't bask

[Jordan67]

Hi my Russian tortoise doesn't seem to be basking, anyone any ideas why?

 

[Yvonne G]

Maybe the overall temp in the habitat is too hot.

 

[mctlong]

There are many reasons why he may not be basking, so we'll need more information -

How long have you had him? In that time, have you ever seen him bask?
What are the temps in his enclosure?
What is the temp right under his basking lamp?
Is he a hatchling, a juvenile, or an adult?
Is he lethargic? Is he eating, drinking, and pooping regularly?

 

[Jordan67]

He's defiantly not too hot. I've had him for about a month and a half now. I first had him in a small 1 ft by 2 foot enclosure where he had a hide with a temperature of about 70-75 with night temperature between 67-70. He used o bask in there. I then moved him into a 2 ft by 5ft enclosure so he now has lots more room to walk around but he seems to just hide alot. The temps in his enclosure now are basking area 90-95 and the other end is between 70-75 and he spends most of his time there. I got told he was 1 but I think he's older. He does eat but rarely drinks and is pooing.

 

[Spn785]

Basking temp needs to be up slightly, 95-100 is about right. What are your night time temps now? 67-70 is too warm for night time. What is the humidity? What are you feeding him?

 

[Tom]

What are you using for a basking light? Any UV? What type?

 

[Jordan67]

Basking light is an all in one bulb.

 

[Tom]

Mercury vapor bulb? No coil type cfl bulbs?

Try adding some more hides and a potted plant or two. Maybe he's just uncomfortable in the bigger more open space. How long has he been in the new enclosure. Might just need a couple weeks to adjust. Tortoises don't deal well with change.